Even past masters like John Giles and Liam Brady in midfield would struggle if we kept launching possession into 50/50 aerial zones.

FEW PEOPLE know more than myself just how difficult it is to win international football matches or the consequences when expectations fall short. Once again, an Irish team have failed to beat higher ranked opposition at home.

On this occasion, however, there can be few complaints about the result after the early goal, fashioned from the set piece, suggested better was to come. Bulgaria were severely under-strength and a little fortunate to survive some clear cut chances created in the last 10 minutes. Overall though, they deserved a point for their dominance, adventure and superior technique.

The result keeps our unbeaten run going and provides further optimism that one of the top two places will be secured. However, the performance and style of the team would suggest caution before placing the mortgage on a trip to South Africa.

Sport provided a massive lift for the nation last week. The footballers have diluted that and brought us back to reality; a reality that shows an inability to retain possession.

One gets the sense that the Bulgarians may be winding up to have a real go in the group over their next three home games to Cyprus, Ireland and Montenegro. Our hopes were that a convincing win, or any win, would kill off their contender status and raise confidence before the major challenge of Wednesday night’s battle for top spot.

Neither goal has been achieved but we are not without hope of achieving a good result in Bari, given the positive aspects that can be drawn from recent displays.

There is certainly a clarity and understanding of the defensive responsibilities of every player. The concentration and discipline required and delivered was admirable once the Bulgarians began to dictate the game’s rhythm. In this aspect, our midfielders stuck to their task well but unfortunately they failed in what are elemental requirements like controlled use of possession, patient build-up and incisive crossing or penetrative passing. An underage coach would be pulling his hair out.

At my first coaching course in 1970 one of the basic elements of team play instructed to us was how to use possession when your goalkeeper has it.

The basics of this tactic are your fullbacks spread wide and centre backs remain available to collect any free possession – in order to generate a move into midfield and from there to the attacking third.

On Saturday night Ireland appeared tactically flawed, lacking intent and patience (unlike the Bulgarians) or confidence from the coach down to his players in this crucial area.

In possession, Shay Given now only kicks the ball long with his defenders rear ends facing him 40 yards from goal. The ensuing scrap for possession provides our midfield with no opportunity to show some imagination or ability to build up play in a constructive manner, evident in most international teams.

Given, clearly under instruction, ensured neither Keith Andrews or Glenn Whelan were receiving ball in classic, simple midfield patterns.

Boot it long and play off the scraps or hit them on the counter-attack using the pace of the wide men, allied by enthusiasm from Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane was the order of the day.

Maybe Giovanni Trapattoni has decided we just don’t have decent footballers compared to what he’s worked with elsewhere but constant reliance on long distribution leads to fairly turgid viewing, even for fans reared on the magic of the Jack Charlton way.

Our current central midfield options hardly compare favourably to their most recent predecessors. Mark Kinsella, Roy Keane, Matt Holland and even Kevin Kilbane and Lee Carsley all had the ability to control the tempo of attacking play, albeit to varying degrees.

Even past masters like John Giles and Liam Brady would struggle if we kept launching possession into 50/50 aerial zones.

True, Kevin Doyle performed well in the sky but once again, along with Keane, he was starved of clever service that could be provided by those in exile.

Both strikers missed excellent chances to win the game late on but their honesty and at times inventiveness provide hope.

Despite a high level of application from the midfield four, sparks of imagination were consistency dampened by rigid tactics. The critics simply cannot let this issue go. Stephen Hunt provided further evidence that his impact at this level is more profound as a sub, while Aiden McGeady was generally bottled up by the experienced Bulgarians.

Andrews put in a huge effort and almost rescued the three points with his only, late burst and cross for Doyle’s header but he and Whelan desperately need to get on the ball more.

This is becoming a chronic problem.

Our centre backs were solid but as a unit the defence was culpable of wasting the ball. There is a recurring theme here but it cannot be stated enough. We are not laying foundations for constructive attacking play, appropriate at this level.

Shay Given made his usual high-end save quota from the wonderful Petrov and Georgiev in the first-half.

He had no chance off Kilbane’s own goal following a brilliantly constructed move, typical of Bulgaria, and an example of what we are incapable of at present.

The 73rd minute equaliser came after Ireland’s most vibrant spell, when Ivankov made saves from Keane, after Doyle’s knock down, and then McGeady’s soft shot.

Goals change games, as they say, along with moods and since Saturday night I’ve heard many say we have little chance in Bari and Sofia if we continue to waste possession in the current manner.

The selection policy needs to be re-addressed.

Stephen Reid, Steve Finan and Damien Duff are frustrating absentees but others should be playing their part. If the best we can produce from the bench is Andy Keogh in the 90th minute well maybe many of the moaners and groaners are correct.

No need to despair just yet. Time is still with us. Back to Italy we go.