Gary Breen: Heimir Hallgrimsson is clinging on to a plan that leaves his players terrified of making mistakes

Passive approach is coming from manager hanging on for dear life after losing belief

Heimir Hallgrimsson and assistant coach Paddy McCarthy (left) during an Ireland training session. The latter's work at Crystal Palace shows the system they are employing can be very competitive if it’s coached well. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The realisation that this Ireland team just do not know how and when to press came early to me in Tuesday’s slog against Armenia.

I suspect that realisation came much quicker to Heimir Hallgrimsson. It’s possible he suspected it before Yerevan but that would have confirmed it.

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