Nathan Collins says the Republic of Ireland dressing room was full of frustration as the Boys in Green fell to yet another Nations League defeat.
Heimir Hallgrimsson's opening two games in charge have resulted in successive 2-0 home defeats, and while a positive result against Euro 2024 finalists England was always a longshot, the loss to Greece will feel like more of a setback.
In 18 games since the Nations League inception, Ireland's record stands at just two wins and now appear to be in a shootout with Finland, who have also lost their opening two group games in B2, to avoid the relegation play-offs.
Defender Collins, with the skipper’s armband in the absence of Seamus Coleman, says the players are tired of coming out the wrong side of results.
"We’re sick of it, we need to step it up. We have changed the manager, changed things. We have played our best game there in a while, and we still lost. We need to change something."
Ireland captain Nathan Collins takes some positives from his side's first-half display, but insists that the players are at fault for their 2-0 defeat to Greece and it's them who have to turn things around. pic.twitter.com/649pkYa8NO
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 10, 2024
Midfielder Will Smallbone picked the player of the match award, but after a positive first-half display, it was a case of déjà vu after the resumption as Ireland conceded a long-range goal before wrapping up the win late on with a counter-attack.
The Southampton player has called on his team-mates to showing more of a cutting thrust when on the front foot.
"We want to win as much as anyone," he said. "No-one wants to come into the camp losing. Performances are good, but at this point we just want to get results.
"I think if we played like we did in the first half, the results won’t be too far away. I think we need to be more killers in the final third when we get chances."
Sammie Szmodics again showed moments of danger leading the line for Ireland, an ambitious effort from 40 yards highlighted his willingness to try the audacious, and the Ipswich Town players it’s imperative to get points on the board.
"I’d rather play worse and get a win," he said. "There are positives to build on, but we need to start winning games."
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