Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane started for the Republic of Ireland as they fell to a heavy 4-1 loss to Wales in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday night, and many fans have taken to Twitter to slam him for a poor display.
Tom Lawrence put Wales ahead before goals from Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Callum Roberts put them four goals up, with Shaun Williams netting a consolation for Ireland in the second half.
Hourihane started in the centre of midfield for Martin O’Neill’s men but was withdrawn on 57 minutes after a poor performance, and many Villa fans have been quick to criticise the mainstay on Twitter.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets:
https://twitter.com/RobA19/status/1037821605584490496
Hourihane’s confidence is shot, just like when Bruce dropped him at the start of last season ?
— Holte (@TheHolteTweets) September 6, 2018
Turn on @5liveSport: 'Conor Hourihane is having a shocker' #WALIRL #AVFC
— James Cartledge (@Jim5875) September 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/Chris73SWW/status/1037787113763291138
https://twitter.com/avfc_johnson/status/1037783878558208000
Hourihane yet to have a decent game in a green jersey I'm afraid
— Dan '88 (@dan_AVFC88) September 6, 2018
All jokes aside, given how weak and inexperienced this squad is, why wasn't Glenn Whelan included? Besides that, very naive to go with Hourihane and Hendrick in a two-man midfield away from home. #NationsLeague #WALIRE #COYBIG
— Brendan (@BrendanH3) September 6, 2018
OPINION
These Villa fans are pretty harsh on Hourihane here, but in all honesty he deserves it. It was a really poor performance from him on the international stage, and he won’t be starting for much longer if he continues to put in such bad displays. Both him and Jeff Hendrick were completely overrun by the Wales midfield, with teenager Ethan Ampadu outshining everyone. Hourihane seems to have a huge problem with consistency, with the midfielder sometimes imperious and sometimes anonymous, and that must change if Villa are to get the best out of him. He is obviously a talented player, able to affect the game in every single way from midfield, but performances like this really hold him back. Hopefully he gets given the chance to start again for Ireland in their next game against Poland, which is not a Nations League match, and redeem himself for Thursday’s poor display.