Andrews hints 'cute' Poyet used inside knowledge to prepare for June encounter
Keith Andrews has suggested that Greece manager Gus Poyet used inside knowledge to prepare his side for their crunch meeting with the Republic of Ireland in Athens back in June.
With France and the Netherlands the overwhelming favourites to claim the two automatic qualification spots for Euro 2024, the two matches between the Irish and the Greeks were marked as key clashes in determining who would finish third in Group B and with it earn a playoff berth.
In the end, it was Poyet’s men who would earn the three points with a 2-1 victory at the home of AEK Athens while Stephen Kenny and his side have since received heavy criticism for their display on the night.
During his post-match press conference, Poyet said; “We prepared under (Ireland using) their two main systems, 5-4-1 and 5-3-2.
“When had the impression that you were really playing football with the ball on the floor, playing through the thirds, going wide, putting players in the box and I was happy because of the way that you played.”
And speaking ahead of the Dublin rematch, the Ireland assistant manager has hinted that Poyet used Irish staff based in England to help give his team the upper hand.
"In terms of this game coming up, I don't think I can say anything here that would jeopardise it as I am sure he will be reading, and getting some Irish staff in clubs around England to come in and watch his training session and have an opinion or view of sorts that will maybe help his game plan,” said Andrews.
When asked to clarify what he meant by those comments, the former Ireland midfielder added; "Well, Gus has a thing where invites certain people in to watch training pre-Athens. I am sure that assisted his preparations."
"He is quite cute, very experienced in his
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