Will Smallbone 'embarrassed' to pick up man-of-match award: 'I'm ...

It was another competitive defeat for the Republic despite the presence of a new manager in the dugout as Greece cruised to a comfortable win in the second 45 minutes with a goal at each each end of the half. There was a clearly audible negative reaction, both when Smallbone was named as the man of the match and at the final whistle, an uncomfortable feeling for the Southampton player.

"I’m probably as embarrassed as anyone, receiving a man of the match award when we’ve lost a game. I’m not sure why it’s done, but it is and I can’t control it. It’s not my decision. But we understand the fans’ reaction and we are working as hard as we can to turn it around, and I believe we will,” Smallbone said.

"I don’t need to tell them to stick with us because they give us unwavering support every time we turn up to the Aviva. And in the away games they are always loud, they are singing, they are fully supporting us. It hurts us every time that we can’t give them a result and something back for their unwavering support to us. But I believe that we will in the near future."

Once again, Ireland fell victim to their habit of conceding a goal from distance early in the second half and Smallbone admits it’s predictable.

“I think whenever we concede a goal, when you look at it and break it down, there is always something that you can do better. Obviously the first goal today, I haven’t seen it back but it looked like a really good finish. But from our point of view he has had time to turn and take a touch and then finish. I’d be disappointed that we haven’t gotten out to block the shot,” he added.

"We changed shape from the England game to allow us to get players further up the field and more attacking players in midfield. Especially in the first half and the chances, that’s where we need to be as a team, more clinical and more ruthless; when we get the chances, that we put them away essentially. On the flip side, when we come up against teams, that seems to be their real strength, when they get one half-chance it’s a goal and then it’s a completely different game.

"It’s disappointing to go in at half-time 0-0, feeling that we were on top. We spoke at half-time about coming out for the second-half and essentially doing the same. I think we started okay, but then from our point of view the goal was not a good goal.

"The guy has had time and space to turn and pick his shot. It’s obviously a good finish, but that’s a real sucker punch for us after a positive first-half. I think overall, the week, we’ve only been with the manager a week and he’s got new ideas. We all want results to turn around as quickly as possible, but I think especially the first-half was a positive.”