The RTÉ soccer panel reflected on the 2-0 defeat to World Cup finalists France by questioning what direction the Republic of Ireland is heading in under Stephen Kenny.
Faint hopes of Euro 2024 qualification took another significant dent as, not unexpectedly, Les Blues outclassed the visitors in Paris with a comfortable win on a night where they spurned a host of opportunities to put a better gloss on the scoreline.
While an unlikely win over Netherlands on Sunday would propel the Boys in Green back into contention, the evidence thus far in Group B would suggest that is a very tall order.
With Kenny's third campaign in charge likely to end with qualification hopes extinguished early once again, speculation will intensify over his future at the helm.
Speaking after the defeat in Paris, Richie Sadlier said Kenny’s competitive record since taking over – five wins in 25 games – does little to push his cause for another contract.
"We’re here to qualify for a tournament," he said. "We’re not here to praise players for working hard.
"We’re not here to praise that we created a chance in the second half where the opposition created probably seven chances and completely dominated us.
"France are a better team, we were always going to lose, but the bigger picture here I think that we need to sit back and start focusing on is, where is this team going? Where are we heading?"
Sadlier added that the argument that Ireland were always huge underdogs to qualify given the strength the two top sides in the group is seriously undermined by the performance and result against Greece in Athens.
Didi Hamann said it is fair to ask questions of Kenny ahead of the Dutch showdown in Dublin.
"In all likelihood, on Sunday the qualifying campaign is over again," he told viewers.
"Of course we should leave judgement until Sunday, but this could be the third time running now that with three games to go, the campaign is over.
"If you look at other nations, is Ireland so much worse than other nations of similar size with a similar pool of players?"
Former international goalkeeper Shay Given agreed that it’s difficult to see progression, notwithstanding all the challenges Kenny ahs faced since succeeding Mick McCarthy in 2020.
"It’s frustrating," he admitted. "There’s no getting away from it, we are not going to qualify from this group. I think we’re miles off it.
"Nineteen debuts given [since Kenny was appointed], fair play, but it’s frustrating to watch."
