REPUBLIC of Ireland skipper Seamus Coleman has criticised the team for sitting back too much and inviting pressure onto them after escaping from Serbia with a point in their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier.
The Irish, who have still to play Gerogia, Moldova and Austria before Christmas, went ahead through a Jeff Hendrick goal on three minutes but dropped too deep and suffered the consequences. Serbia scored two goals in a seven-minute spell to forge ahead before substitute Daryl Murphy grabbed an 80th minute equaliser for Martin O’Neill’s men.
But Coleman, who was passed fit for Monday night’s opener after struggling with an ankle problem, wasn’t happy with Ireland’s performance: “As players we need to address the fact that when we score we sit back,” said the Donegal man.
“It kind of happened in France and we’ve done it a little bit against Serbia. We go behind and we bring the game back to them and we look good again. The manager is saying the same thing to us, that we’re sitting back too much and it’s something as players we need to address and get right on the pitch."
Coleman added: “We sit back a little bit too much. We conceded the goal and it gave us a kick up the backside and we attacked the game again.
“If we just get that right, then we’ve got a great chance. I think in France we kind of changed our game in the last couple of games against Italy and France; we tried to play football and do it the right way.
“We tried to do it against Serbia but it was very difficult on that pitch. We had to play channel balls for Shane [Long] and Jon [Walters]. It was a tough game for them up top. But you know, it’s a positive result away to Serbia; we’ll take that and it was great to see ‘Murph’ and Jeff score.”
Coleman resumed the captain’s armband after showing excellent leadership skills in the role in France. The Everton defender said that he’d spoken to former captain Robbie Keane, who recently retired from international duty, about the demands of the captaincy.
“Robbie was a great captain and a top player and it’s something you always dream of. It’s a massive honour for my family and I and everyone involved in the journey so far," he said.
“I remember Roy [Keane] as captain. And Robbie, they’ve different ways. I’ve spoken to Robbie. He’s at the end of the phone if ever I need advice, I suppose there is a lot to it. It’s not just on the pitch, it’s off the pitch, it’s something I’ll enjoy and look forward to.
“But I’m not going to change. I’ve been given the role for a reason. I’m not going to change. I’m very lucky, I’ve got John O’Shea, Glenn Whelan, Jonny Walters, good experienced lads to look after me. So I’m not going to change, no."
