Former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has said that fans were “swizzed out” of their money last night,
.Ireland lost 1-0 to Iceland in a match that featured nine changes from the drawn World Cup qualifier against Wales as the hosts struggled to muster a shot on target.
“It wasn't very good at all,” Kerr told RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland.
“The 37,000 people – if there was that there – if they paid in they'd be within their rights to go to the consumer association and look for their money back. They were swizzed out of an international match.
“We had only two players that you'd consider regulars: Robbie Brady and James McClean. Iceland had three.
“The match was pitched as an international between a team that had got to the [quarter-finals] of the Euros in the summer and the Republic of Ireland, but really it was the Ireland second string, and in some cases third string, against Iceland with most of their best players not present.
“The game itself was poor. It was low tempo. There was very little pattern to it on our side. We're a bit like a mongrel dog with no nice patches on it.
“We're neither a direct long-ball team nor are we a passing team that does some nice things.”
Of particular concern to Kerr is the team’s lack of an attacking edge.
Kevin Doyle was recalled from the cold to earn his first appearance since the Switzerland friendly in March 2016, and few alternatives to Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, Jon Walters and David McGoldrick have emerged.
“We looked like a team that was thrown together at the last minute without any work being done or practice being done on the old 4-4-2 system, whereas Iceland had a clear style about them.
“We've now had three home games recently - Georgia, Wales and last night - and we've hardly created a clear-cut chance in those three games.
“We were poor in the middle of the field again. Jeff Hendrick has to be the main culprit last night because he's the experienced player at this stage.
“We didn't get on the ball, didn't create anything. It appears that if Wesley Hoolahan doesn't play, we don't create any chances.”