We won the match, but there were so many questions to be asked about our performance in the second half, you wouldn't know it from the post I'm about to make.
Playing a central midfield pairing with less than ten caps in a qualifier is a massive risk. They both did OK in the first half, really profiting from some awful clearances by Cyprus, and sitting back to watch the wingers do the damage.
Second half, lads, where did you go? I loathe to criticise Gibson because it was his first top line fixture of any denomination, when you consider he's played less than half an hour for United and only a couple of subs for us, yet it has to be said he was watching the game unfold around him.
When you're at home and slightly under pressure you look to centre midfield to put their foot on the ball and play a pass. It didn't happen. Whelan is a blocker who gives the centre halves protection and that's fine when you're next to Steven Reid, when he was asked to do some distributing he was found wanting.
I too was screaming at the tele hoping for substitutes. Andy Reid should have come on, if not for one of the central pairing, for Robbie Keane, who was no longer required for link up play.
Finally on the negatives, we looked criminally naive at full back on both sides of the pitch at times. Kilbane I can accept because he isn't a natural full back and is still learning the trade. McShane, well you could say the same thing, what is for sure though is that Finnan was missed. We're lucky Aloneftis didn't play.
Positives: We got stuck in early on and looked to try and win the game. Duff had too much class for Cyprus, later McGeady would follow him as both men beat their man and the covering defender, causing chaos. It's refreshing to see us penentrate out wide after some shapeless performances under Stan.
When Ireland were good, it was when the ball was played into Doyle and he made it stick. And he gave the midfield every chance, because he ran all night and put in some very intelligent runs, constantly stealing a yard to the ball on his marker. No goals, but they will come. Keane's link up play in the first half was good and at the end of the day, he scored the winner.
Last word goes to Richard Dunne. I was a bit too young for the Paul McGrath era, however the spirit, strength and intelligence that Dunne uses in a green shirt must surely be somewhere out of McGrath's playbook. Dunne charged down what looked to be a certain goal. I'm sure he's done it once already this campaign, if not twice. It is no coincidence he gets in these goal saving positions - it's his anticipation and his desire.
Ade
