Kenny Cunningham: Midfield tweak could prove the difference

A slight tactical change in midfield, rather than personnel, could give Ireland a better platform to get their Nations League campaign back on track, according to Kenny Cunningham.

A disappointing defeat to Armenia in Yerevan was followed by a home reversal at the hands of a much-changed Ukraine, leaving Ireland rooted to the bottom of the group with Scotland to visit on Saturday before a trip to Poland next Tuesday to face Ukraine again.

Manager Stephen Kenny made two changes to the team, with injury ruling Seamus Coleman out and Cyrus Christie coming into the team, while Derby County's Jason Knight also got the nod from the start.

The midfielder was particularly bright in the opening 45 minutes, before fading somewhat as the visitors took over.

Speaking after the match, RTÉ analyst and former Ireland captain Cunningham feels that redeploying Knight in a deeper position in midfield - as opposed to playing off Callum Robinson and Chiedozie Ogbene - would be more beneficial.

"We need to make some minor adjustments," said Cunningham.

"Jason Knight was operating left of the three high up the pitch, I think there was a time maybe there in the first half, and even the second half, you could have said to him, 'drop 10 or 15 yards’ to slide in beside Josh Cullen and Jeff Hendrick for 10, 15 minutes.

"Just to give an extra bit of security in the central area of the pitch. That could easily be done."

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Kenny Cunningham says Ireland badly need a tactical tweak to help them gain more control in games #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/6Nj2TMENSV

Cunningham feels the manner of the defeats have contrasted sharply.

"We dominated the ball (against Armenia), had plenty of possession, we were moving it too slowly, with too many lateral passes.

"I thought