Former Ireland international John Giles joined Sunday's Off the Ball to review Saturday's match with Georgia.
Despite taking an early lead, Martin O'Neill's men struggled for most of the match thereafter - ensuring a difficult route in qualification to Russia next year.
Giles put the blame for the disappointing performance with the management, and speaking to Nathan Murphy and Dave McIntyre, he said: "Ultimately, the manager is responsible for the attitude of the team and the way in which they play. I could tell you about the players - a lot of players didn't play well last night.
"I mean one of the things in football is selection of the team and when you talk about tactics and selection of the team - I mean Glenn Whelan for example, is the holding midfield player and I think the holding midfield player is a waste of time because they're not expected to do anything.
"They're expected to protect the back four. Well, god almighty can't protect the back four. The best way to protect the back four is to get on the ball and use it and use it well.
Ireland's Harry Arter. Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Asked about the difference in Harry Arter's performances for his club and country, Giles said: "The manager at Bournemouth has a different attitude so when Arter goes out onto the pitch - he has a different attitude going out.
"That's the team he's playing in and that's the influence of the manager that's doing it. Now, I don't know what Martin O'Neill says in the dressing room - we don't know. We can only see what happens on the pitch. Was Arter the same player for Ireland last night that he has been for Bournemouth? No - that's because he's under a different influence at Bournemouth," he added.
The full discussion can be heard here:
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