An encouraging and disciplined performance

SOCCER ANALYSTIt's a satisfactory start, but we will need a bit more creativity for our home games, writes Brian Kerr

FOUR POINTS on the road is a satisfactory start to any qualifying campaign. From an Irish perspective, after what went before, we can be content and look to the next three home matches with renewed enthusiasm.

Considering Montenegro are no mugs, last night must be classed as a sound, disciplined performance with a particular tip of the hat to our defensive solidity.

That has been the main emphasis of this fledgling Giovanni Trapattoni era. Understandably so, given the disarray and leakages associated with our more recent away trips. Small steps forward but noticeable nonetheless. Shay Given's work rate is the prime example. Over the two games he had just two saves to make and one that was from a deflected effort.

There can be no questioning the industry and organisation now evident in our national side, with a high energy tempo produced from all quarters.

The full backs Steve Finnan and Kevin Kilbane mirror the philosophy of the new tactical approach most clearly. They have obviously been instructed to mind the house, only supporting the wingers from behind. We may see more of them attacking on the return to Croke Park but on the road there is one priority and that is comforting.

The partnership of John O'Shea and Richard Dunne was excellent last night. They appear to be gaining confidence and should go up another level again after this experience.

Glenn Whelan has justified Trapattoni's trust in him by again providing a strong screen in front of the back four; getting in his quota of tackles and generally using possession sensibly. Alongside him, Steven Reid seems to have been restricted in his attacking ventures, again with an eye on the greater good, but I hope he will be let off the leash next month against Cyprus.

Once again, Stephen Hunt and Aiden McGeady put in a huge work load, helping out on the inside when required and up and down the flanks although neither really got the better of their markers. Despite the new collectively defensive attitude these two men need to make inroads down the touchlines for us to ever snatch big results on the road.

Still, they must be commended for rolling up their sleeves. Their input is crucial to the new system and how the team lines out. There is an increased responsibility on both wingers to get narrow when we lose the ball. As a result, attacking forays will be compromised.

This brings us back to the Andy Reid issue. It will not go away while he sits on that bench. However, it's hard to argue with two solid defensive performances from this Irish team.

Hunt could have been sacrificed if it was a home game or we were desperately chasing a win, but he made his tackles and ran all night. I can understand Trapattoni's selection policy of the midfield four, even if it meant sacrificing a genuine chance of taking three points from this encounter.

But I still feel Andy Reid can be accommodated in the team without damaging the new defensive alignment and standards expected by the Italian's way. He brings so many extra dimensions and to ignore him for three home games could damage our chances of making it to South Africa.

Take the poor return from set-pieces as one example. The numerous attacking platforms from wide positions off free kicks were poorly executed. Hunt was guilty of a few as was McGeady although one delivery from the Celtic man almost led to a goal.

Andy is a better option here but it is questionable whether he can win as many frees as the incumbent wingers. He will have to make an increased impact in the Premiership over the coming weeks to make further exclusion inexcusable.

There have been two qualification matches now under Trapattoni and any concerns about his ability to get his message across, due to the language barrier, can be shelved. Work from the training pitch is also becoming increasingly evident.

After two away games captain Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle will surely be hoping for a more positive approach and better supply as the campaign develops. Both have worked hard, like the whole team, but have been living on scrappy service, with the two banks of four so committed to defence.

The performance of Doyle and Keane can and will improve.

So, all things considered, we begin with a cautiousness, unsurprisingly Italian-esque defensive philosophy. That Montenegro took two points off Bulgaria while we won in a quasi-away game to Georgia gives us the advantage.

But can we qualify without adopting a more adventurous approach? We are going to have to open matters up against Cyprus in October, Georgia in February and Bulgaria in March.

I believe we have the personnel do add nine points. Certainly, Steven Reid will improve again. The players also have a new found clarity of their role in the team.

I'm pleased to see the lessons in DVD watching have become more pertinent. But I'm especially glad to see my former DVD man Brian McCarthy has been re-employed to good effect. I always had faith in his abilities!

Until next month.