Well, I was asked for my opinion and offered it.

Now the dust has settled and it's time to pick through the finer points of our defeat to Hungary.

While the 4-4-2 I recommended was not the manager's preferred option, the 4-5-1 Attacking selected seemed like it could work out well against the 4-4-2 Defensive Hungary opted for, as well as heralding a possible end to the recent bout of experimentation with our own XI.

Of course, unless the man in charge had insider information he wasn't to know how the Hungarians would approach the game given they have changed formation more often than we have.

Nevertheless, I will happily concede that we are blessed with some talented players at to fill the OMC positions and while it might not be my first choice, we are a strong side in this formation. A balanced attacking style, however, hints that maybe the manager still isn't certain of what we're best at?

While Tully put in a decent display against Greece, he has struggled on the whole for Ireland, and his showing here will have done nothing to dispel his critics. Sebok may well be a talented midfielder but he was proven fallible yet we seldom showed signs of capitalising with Tully almost completely anonymous in open play, and even when he wasn't it was only to our detriment. With the likes of Ó Raighne cooling their heels on the bench -although I have no issue with McDermott- this poor performance is only exacerbated.

In spite of this, we still pushed the visitors hard, even after going a goal down early on and we were good value for an equaliser but, as against Azerbaijan, we didn't push on and simply offered Hungary the oppurtunity to get back in front before half-time.

The second half was more positive, but while we were the better side (most notably out wide), we didn't look that likely to equalise let alone win it. There was just too much to do, and with the side playing as if we were down to ten men the second forty-five was tough viewing for the die-hard fans.

Simply put, another result like this would leave us, at this early stage, dependent on others to do us favours. Arguing that we were unlucky doesn't hold any sway when you consider the opening to the campaign, we can't let these ones slip away.

Next Satuday sees Belarus visit Galtymore. On the one hand, they are showing us what is possible, topping the group with a squad that is a good deal weaker than our own. On the other, their squad is much weaker than ours and we must beat them.

Still, no pressure then ;)

D. Gaffer