Former Wexford Youths and Ireland player Ruth Fahy claims that the Ireland women's national football team are yet to forge their identity under manager Vera Pauw.
The Girls in Green were 3-2 winners against Olympic semi-finalists Australia in an international friendly at Tallaght Stadium in September.
However, that was only the team's fourth win under Pauw since the Dutch manager took the reins in October 2019.
Fahy, currently the CEO at Galway WFC, was speaking at OTB Sports' pre-match panel ahead of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Sweden at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday.
"I don't think Vera has imprinted that in the team just yet," Fahy said.
"When I look back to previous years and what Colin Bell had done, he had that defensive philosophy, so they were strong at the back."
"[The WNL] does come into it when you talk about identity; Áine O'Gorman has been such a standout representative of the league at right-back, and I'd be foolish not to mention Savannah McCarthy, who's come in and was a standout player in the last match as well."
Fahy added: "[Áine is] such a proper pro, as is the likes of Savannah - [it was great] to see her being selected as good enough to get into the team for the last game."
"There is space for that identity in our domestic league as well but, if that's going to be the case, we're going to have to look after them."
Emma Byrne: "I get a sense she's trying to put the team forward."
Meanwhile, former Ireland goalkeeper Emma Byrne, who also joined Thursday's panel along with Fahy, believes there are signs that Pauw is putting her stamp on this Ireland team.
"I think the fact that she's using three at the back - that's an identity in and of itself," Byrne said.
"They're very defensive, but I do think she wants to press forward, to put pressure on the opposition."
"Katie McCabe, for example, could play as full-back in the five across and play defensive but, Katie being Katie, she'll push on a little bit, and that's given her that free role."
"For me, I think Vera is being a lot more progressive and attack-minded than we've had before."
"We were talking about defence the whole time - with all the previous managers, we had to be very defensive."
"I do get a sense from her that she's trying to put the team forward, trying to put pressure on the opposition and play much higher up the pitch."
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