'Massive problem' stems from Ireland number six issue amid long-range goals trend - Vinny Perth

Former Dundalk manager Vinny Perth believes problems with the number six role in midfield are a significant factor in the Republic of Ireland's trend of conceding goals from long distance.

Stephen Kenny's side put in an impressive performance against 2022 World Cup finalists France in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier at the Aviva Stadium on Monday, losing narrowly by a single goal.

That strike came from long range via the boot of Benjamin Pavard following an errant sideways pass from Ireland's deep-lying midfielder Josh Cullen.

Since Kenny took charge two-and-a-half years ago, 10 of the 24 goals Ireland have conceded have come from outside the box, including Latvia's opening goal in last Wednesday's friendly, a match which Cullen was rested for.

Speaking last Friday in the build-up to the France game, the Ireland manager had said that his team would not become "fixated" over the issue, adding that "maybe because we're an expansive team, that if we do give away possession, it gives an opportunity to the other team to hit it from distance".

Perth, who was Kenny's assistant at Dundalk between 2013 and 2018 before taking on the managerial reins, offered his view on the long-range goals issue on this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast and highlighted the impact of Cullen's interpretation of his role as a number six.

"We are expansive and one of the arguments people made over the weekend - I pointed this out last week about the goals from distance - (some people said), 'Oh, well Josh Cullen comes in (to the team)'. But we've conceded a lot of those goals with Josh Cullen in there," said Perth.

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