ANALYSIS:THAT'S THE phony war complete – now for the full scale Polish invasion – but we know this is probably how it is going to be for the next few weeks. Irish conservatism and discipline trying to combat the inventiveness of technically superior opponents.

It’s the Giovanni Trapattoni blueprint for modern Irish soccer against the modern blueprint for how the game can be played.

Bill O’Herlihy asked me the other day why I had gone all “positive” in my recent columns. The answer is simple: I am keeping a positive mindset until I am given a good reason not to be.

The adventure is just beginning sure.

Still, there were plenty of reasons to worry about last night’s performance. In the first hour, on chances created, Hungary should have been out of sight.

We were far too narrow in midfield, putting pressure on the fullbacks, to combat their initial 4-3-3 formation and while nobody pulled out of tackles Hungary were afforded a ridiculous amount of time to wind up shots.

We don’t have a Roy Keane or even a Mark Kinsella or Matty Holland anymore. Basically, midfielders who are quicker on their feet than Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews.

Even inside our box it took last ditch heroics from Seán St Ledger and Stephen Ward to deny certain goals.

The dvd clips Brian McCarthy pieced together will leave a good few players under the microscope this morning.

We hung on in there though, as we have a decent habit of doing.

As much as the Republic’s style is unattractive, the team spirit and our history at major tournaments means we will cause a stir at some point. I believe we will score a goal to rank alongside Ronnie Whelan’s or one of Ray Houghton’s or Kevin Sheedy’s or even Aldo’s angry header against Mexico in 1994.

But it would have helped when analysing this rainy night in Budapest if the Hungarians had pinched an early goal. They certainly had chances.

Great to see Shay Given warming up for a fortnight of his usual and necessary heroics; he’ll be tested more than ever unfortunately (also encouraging to see Keiren Westwood get the chance to display his reflexes).

But an early goal for Hungary would have forced Trap into Plan B. And Lord knows we’ll have to chase a 1-0 deficit at some stage against Croatia, Spain or Italy.

I don’t want to be writing about the usual reasons why we got opened up. Okay, halting Spain’s tiki-taka dance into our box may prove impossible but Croatia have a fairly rigid 4-4-2 look to them so to be overrun in midfield, as Whelan and Andrews were yet again last night, shouldn’t be an acceptable reason for defeat in our opening game at the Euros.

A plan to handle Luka Modric must be devised at training over the coming days.

Surprisingly, Trap admitted last night that we may go 4-5-1 against Spain and Italy. That would be a huge departure for the Italian. I wouldn’t be surprised if Slaven Bilic readjusts his system to expose our laboured movement in midfield. That said, we kept all our set piece stuff up our sleeve; that’ll be held over for training this week Im sure.

But otherwise this squad, or more accurately the most predictable starting Irish XI for decades, has a style of play embedded in their psyche by now. Everyone knows their specific role; basically, denying other teams from playing their game.

There are a couple of things from last night that should keep us happy as well. Richard Dunne’s 90 minute showing was massive as was John O’Shea’s run out. So too was the manner in which the team finished those last 20 minutes, with a host of lads who won’t be starting in Poznan next Sunday seeking to impress.

I’m talking about Gibson, Hunt, Cox and Walters. Granted, the Hungarians went on their summer holidays long before the final whistle. Even Whelan popped up in Hungary’s box.

Also, thankfully, there were no injuries. We wouldn’t be able to survive the loss of personnel experienced by England. As we pressed for the winner, the home team tried to hit us on the break and we were able to handle it, until they missed a last gasp sitter.

We are a better team than has been portrayed in recent years. Maybe that can be showcased by having to chase a goal at a major competition.

Robbie Keane and Duffer know all about the feeling of tracking down a big fish from the Germany and Spain experiences in 2002.

Remember those hectic salvaging of draws? No reason not to believe such thrilling moments are ahead of us all, 10 years on, “in the lovely month of June”.

I guess I’ll keep on believing until results force me otherwise.