Like the unwelcome ingredient in a sandwich, Ireland's loss in the baking heat of Armenia was the lowpoint in a long weekend which saw the Under-21s deliver when it mattered either side of the Yerevan setback.
While Stephen Kenny's side toiled in trying to break through a resolute defence in their UEFA Nations League opener on Saturday, Jim Crawford's U21s outfit took a big step towards a historic European Championship qualification by earning back to back wins over Bosnia and Montenegro on Friday and Monday.
A number of the U21s caught the eye but chief among them was Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone, who scored twice against the Bosnians before lashing in a superb strike to spark Ireland's 3-0 win over the Montenegrins.
#IRLU21 1-0 Montenegro - Will Smallbone scores an absolute screamer to give Ireland the lead.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 6, 2022
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Speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, former Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers tipped the 22-year-old to make the step up the Irish senior side and provide technical qualities that were not apparent in Yerevan.
"In a game like the Armenia game, we probably don't get the best out of (Chiedozie) Ogbene because he's more of a counter-attacking style of player," said Rogers, adding that Ogbene was "the one bright point" for Ireland on Saturday.
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"But you need a real technical number 10 in order to pick the lock and move that ball quickly.
"You need to move it with pace and move them around because when you have got teams sitting in, you've got to ask questions and poke holes in that defence and move it quickly and out to the far side.
"The likes of (Jamie) McGrath, Connor Ronan and Jack (Byrne) as well (can do that). But I think the likes of Smallbone, who has been excellent for the '21s, he could be a solution."
As an attack-minded midfielder, McGrath had provided a valuable link between Kenny's favoured midfield duo and the attackers during the fruitful autumn games, before being left out of the most recent squads.
Connor Ronan and Jack Byrne also have the attributes to fulfil that role as a playmaker or link man much like Smallbone does for the U21s.
"That sort of a player is what's needed"
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 7, 2022
Gary Rogers on the longer-term options for 🇮🇪 Ireland in trying to pick the lock against teams like Armenia #RTESoccer #RTESoccerPodcast #IRLUKR #COYBIG
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"You wouldn't be bringing in the likes of Ronan and McGrath now because they're on their holidays but Smallbone has played really well for the '21s in both games and been standout," Rogers continued.
"I know Jim Crawford won't like to hear that and will want him for (the U21s' trip to) Italy and they have a great chance of qualifying but that sort of a player is what's needed, especially against Armenia.
"Ukraine is a different kettle of fish and I think it will suit Ireland better because they'll come out and play a little bit more and you would think that (Callum) Robinson and Ogbene would be able to use their pace with the fact that it will be a much more open game of football."
If Ireland maintain the same system from recent games against Ukraine, it is likely to be a 3-4-3, with Josh Cullen and Jeff Hendrick in midfield.
Former St Patrick's Athletic manager Johnny McDonnell told the podcast that if it's a two-man engine room, a 4-2-3-1 with a focal point in attack would be preferable.
But he also scrutinised the established starting roles of some players who have been struggling for game-time at club level whereas others have been absent amid similar criteria when it comes to minutes.
"Just talking about Jamie McGrath and stuff - Jeff Hendrick hasn't been playing for QPR," he said.
"Jamie McGrath hasn't been playing for Wigan but neither has Jeff Hendrick. So why was Jeff involved and why was Jamie not involved (in the squad)?
"Two different types of players for this type of match. But I was just wondering why Jeff was involved and Jamie wasn't."
He added that there needs to be a sense that every position within the starting line-up is up for grabs.
"Is anybody really guaranteed their place? If fellas are coming into the squad and going, 'I'm definitely playing'. I think that's probably a bad mindset to come into a camp with," he said.
"I'd be going with the fact that there's 20+ players and all places are up for grabs and whoever does the best (gets picked).
"If you have that mindset rather than have the mindset of 'I'm nailed in', there's a little drop of 2-3% off a fella when he knows he might be in (the team).
"So without naming fellas and saying, 'He definitely should play', who should play after getting beaten by Armenia? Who?"
Follow Republic of Ireland v Ukraine (Wednesday, 7.45pm) via our live blog on rte.ie/sport or on the RTÉ News app. Watch live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player commencing at 7pm, with live radio coverage on 2fm's Game On, from 6pm.
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