Nathan Collins apologises to Ireland fans for Wembley meltdown

Ireland were thumped 5-0 by England after a second-half meltdown at Wembley

By: irishmirror.ie

Nov 17 2024
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Nathan Collins apologises to I

Mortified Nathan Collins apologised to Ireland fans for the team’s Wembley horror show.

The Boys in Green imploded during five minutes of mayhem early in the second-half as England scored three quick-fire goals before finishing Ireland off with two more.

It was a remarkable meltdown, sparked when Liam Scales was sent off just before Harry Kane fired home the penalty that kickstarted the onslaught.

While Collins began the game in an experimental midfield role, the Brentford defender reverted to centre-back after Scales’ departure and saw the carnage unfold.

“First of all, it’s probably an apology from all the lads for that second half,” said a gutted Collins after the game.

“That’s nowhere near the standard we should be. Obviously, circumstances change things but we know as a group we’re a lot better than that and that’s not on.”

Collins continued: “It's really hard to take. In the first-half we did so much so well, we frustrated them and did a lot of things right.

“In the second-half we started off doing the same thing. It's a tough one for Scalsey, it changes the game completely.

“We were sitting in our shape but we conceded four set pieces then, five goals and four set pieces, we need to do better there.

“It's tough and I feel bad for the fans because they travelled in their numbers and that wasn’t a performance they deserved.”

Ireland had held England scoreless by half-time and, at that point, Collins felt Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men were capable of frustrating England for the remainder.

He didn’t see what was coming - nobody did, and the speed at which Ireland unravelled was spectacular.

Collins said: “We wanted to keep doing the same thing, we could see they were frustrated at half time.

“You see Harry Kane dropping really deep and getting involved with Molumby, that's when you know they are frustrated.

“We caused them a lot of problems with our shape, we rotated out and I dropped in to cover that space, we could still get a bit of pressure on so they couldn't get those passes in behind.

“Second half we said the same thing, keep it going lads, it was very important to come out for the second half hot but then we conceded.

“It's a great ball in and Scalsey is a bit unlucky, a yellow and a pen. It's double jeopardy and it's tough on Liam and changes the game.

“The second one, I got a clearance on it and it hits off Josh's chest. We were in good shape then so it's just unfortunate.”

Ireland’s 1-0 win over Finland on Thursday now feels like a distant memory but Collins is adamant that progress is being made under Heimir Hallgrimsson.

And he has urged fans to keep believing in this team and manager, despite the wicked scoreline here in London.

Collins said: “Today is just a horrible one, it’s so annoying. But you take away that and I think you see our overall performances are getting better.

“I hope other people agree, I don’t know whether they do or not. But as a group, I think you can see it.”

Ireland don’t play again until March when they will contest the relegation playoff against a second placed League C team to see who plays in League B the next time.

But that’s a long time for these players to stew over this result, even if their return to club football is a distraction.

Collins said: “It’s the old saying of look for the positives. You have to, it’s not every game you’re playing 11 v 10.

“We have to take the positives from it, we have to move on, you look at the first half and you think ‘Yeah alright, this is how we frustrate teams, this is what we do’.

“We can work from there, we can build, we go forward against these and how do we create chances against teams like these. And then from there, keep building.”

Collins doesn’t know if Hallgrimsson will deploy him in a similar midfield role again, sitting just in front of the back four.

But he added: “It was a simple enough role for me, I’m screening, if anyone drops deep, I’m tight, and then if a centre half rolls out, I cover him. It’s a basic enough role.”