Dublin , Ireland - 7 September 2024; Will Smallbone of Republic of Ireland reacts after England scored their second goal during the UEFA Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone had his work cut out as Ireland faced England in the first game of their UEFA Nations League group on Saturday.
The game against England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin was Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson’s first game in charge having been a surprise appointment following an indifferent spell as Jamaica boss.
Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone was selected to start against England – for whom Kyle Walker-Peter has been put on standby – and played 75 minutes in the centre of midfield.
It was a tough ask for Smallbone as he earned his tenth cap playing in a midfield two with Jayson Molumby up against the trio of Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish.
Mixed reaction to Will Smallbone display for Ireland against England
Ireland were incredibly poor in the first-half as they allowed England total dominance and struggled to get out of their half.
It was not long before England were ahead either as Declan Rice responded to resounding boos by opening the scoring on 11 minutes.
Rice and Jack Grealish were the subject of anger from Ireland supporters as both players had switched their allegiance from Ireland to England and it was the latter who added the second on 26 minutes to really rub salt in the wounds.
Ireland were better in the second-half as England took their foot off the gas and national media have reacted to their players’ first displays under of the new era.
Smallbone did little to stand out on a difficult evening but Irish sports outlet Balls did label his “the most composed of Ireland’s midfield trio [when they switched system]”, as they scored the 24-year-old a five-and-a-half out of ten, commenting: “The most composed of Ireland’s midfield trio, but didn’t see enough of the ball in the first half.
“Smallbone was the calmest Irish player on the pitch and generally looked for progressive passes, but it became increasingly difficult for him to find any time on the ball as Rice and Kobbie Mainoo took control of midfield.”
However, the Irish Mirror were less than impressed with what they saw, scoring Smallbone a five out of ten, saying: “Failed to impose himself on the game in any shape or form. While he has pace, and has a range of passes in his locker, we just didn’t get to see enough of them.”
Smallbone will hope to keep Ireland place against Greece
Next up for Smallbone and Ireland is another home game in the UEFA Nations League against Greece on Tuesday night.
