""Of course, I take the blame for this, but the players are the same players we were happy with against Bulgaria and in the second half against Hungary," Hallgrimsson told RTE. "I will take the blame, the players need support, and we need to encourage them. They are going back to their clubs and hopefully they come back in four weeks' time ready for the next challenge. "It is an off day, and we have to look inside and see what we can do differently.""
""The job of the coach, if they are not producing, then of course it is always a question," added the 58-year-old. "I am not naive, it is understandable now and after this performance. "Everything needs to be perfect from now on and after this, it is difficult to be optimistic that we will go to Portugal and win those games with a performance like that.""
Heimir Hallgrimsson accepted responsibility after the Republic of Ireland's shock 2-1 defeat by Armenia in Yerevan. Eduard Spertsyan's stoppage-time penalty put Armenia ahead and Grant-Leon Ranos doubled the lead early in the second half before Evan Ferguson pulled one back. The Republic sit bottom of Group F on one point after a previous 2-2 draw with Hungary. The team faces a difficult trip to Portugal on 11 October and the Armenia return three days later. Hallgrimsson, under contract until the end of qualifying, called the match an off day and said the players need support while the squad is reviewed.
Read at www.bbc.com
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