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John Giles' take on the Ireland style question

John Giles feels that we will see a different emphasis from Ireland in the next World Cup qualifi...



John Giles' take on the Ir...
Soccer

John Giles' take on the Ireland style question

John Giles feels that we will see a different emphasis from Ireland in the next World Cup qualifier when more creative midfielders return from injury and suspension.

Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan and Harry Arter were all absent for the 0-0 draw against Wales in which creativity was lacking.

But all three will hopefully be involved ahead of June's qualifier against Austria who were beaten by the Irish back in November. 

Speaking to Off The Ball, John emphasised the importance of the correct attitude ahead of the second half of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

"I think leading up to the match coming up now, well we've already beaten Austria away. There's no reason not to go out with a winning attitude and still draw the match or lose," he said.

"I think if we play as well as we can against Austria, we'll beat them again. I wouldn't have any preconceived ideas of how we are going to play."

Stylistically, the Wales game saw Ireland missing more creative midfielders like Brady, Arter and Hoolahan which for John explains the approach that night.

"The only thing you can do is try to get the best out of the players you have out on the pitch. That's all you do. You can't make say Glenn Whelan into a really constructive long ball player. He is what he is," said John.

"I think Arter is one of our best midfield players, I think Brady is one of our best midfield players. Arter was missing, Wes Hoolahan was missing, Brady was missing the other day. So you've got to be fair to Martin [O'Neill] in that respect. I think two of those players would have played.

"Hopefully we'll have the players fit for the next match and now you're into a different way of playing."

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