Uefa Nations League Cup B4: Republic of Ireland v Denmark (tonight, Dublin, 7.45pm)
WHEN results aren’t forthcoming, small things in camp become big things. Before last month’s Nations Cup game against Wales, the Harry Arter-Roy Keane row gained a bit of traction.
Then you lose 4-1 in a performance that had no redeeming features, and the Arter-Keane spat is magnified.
The will-he-won’t-he Declan Rice saga becomes even bigger news too.
The proverbial balloon goes up when Stephen Ward’s explosive WhatsApp message is authenticated. Apparently Jonathan Walters, involved in the Arter-Keane row, was going to “kill” the Republic of Ireland assistant manager.
Faced with an avalanche of negativity, Martin O’Neill was hoping a few old-school yarns about ‘Cloughie’ and how rows were the norm back in the day would somehow ease the media frenzy.
He was wrong.
Throw in Matt Doherty feeling that his face “doesn’t fit” in the Irish camp after being chided by O’Neill about wearing gloves in August and you’re in need of a different kind of charm offensive.
That’s what happens when you don’t get results: small things become big things.
Earlier this week, the Republic of Ireland manager engaged in a bit of fire fighting, in an even-tempered way, insisting Roy Keane and Harry Arter had ironed out their differences and that Ward had probably left the offending WhatsApp group by now.
Wolves' in-form Matt Doherty was name-checked a couple of times and could well be handed his competitive debut against Denmark tonight, while Arter could be restored to the Irish midfield to prove the doubters wrong, some of whom are part of the management team.
The Republic of Ireland have conceded nine goals in their last two competitive outings [against Denmark and Wales] and although O’Neill was at pains to point out there were 10 months between the games, it’s still a worrying time for the Derryman.
Compounding his predicament is the absence of several key players for tonight's tie with the Danes, including captain Seamus Coleman, Robbie Brady, Stephen Ward, James McCarthy and Jonathan Walters.
But O'Neill insisted it wasn't a time to feel sorry for themselves and it was up to his players to give the crowd something to shout about against their World Cup conquerors in Dublin tonight.
“We need to re-energise the crowd," said the manager. "We had some great nights [in Dublin], terrific nights, we're going to get a really decent crowd again on Saturday.
“I don't think the fans have deserted the team by any stretch of the imagination. They've been really supportive of the team and it's up to us on the field of play to do something about it.”
O'Neill is in dire need of a positive result tonight so that the small things remain small things.
