4 Things We Learned From Ireland's Suburban Stalemate With Wales

While ideally we'd like to pretend that Ireland's 0-0 draw with Wales never happened, instead receiving a notification on our phones with a gift card for 94 minutes of our lives back, that unfortunately isn't a reality.

But despite the contest being a dour affair to say the least, each side will have learned a little from the dreary clash - with eyes on a bright future helping to forget a rather forgettable spectacle. Here's four things we learned.

Stephen Kenny's Style is Slowly Taking Shape

Completely altering the approach a national side employ takes a lot of time. It's not like club football where you can work with the players every day to hammer home your ideas, as the international breaks are few and far between, let alone short.

Keen to reimagine the outlook of the Ireland team, a substantial handful of patience is required. Four matches into Kenny's reign, and the side are winless - but the signs are there that the players and absorbing his messages. While one can't avoid the lack of quality throughout the team, embedding the philosophy into the players will at least put them on the right track.

It was not pretty on Sunday, but players such as Jayson Molumby were clearly onboard with the progressive, back-to-front style and look well-placed to improve gradually with this brand of football. Some of the old habits still remain - diagonal crosses for James McClean to run on to too often - but as steady as the progress is, it remains progress nonetheless.

Need for Pace in Central Areas

A midfield trio of Conor Hourihane, Molumby and Jeff Hendrick can be efficient, but good lord is it slow. Playing through the thirds can work to an extent without pace in central midfield, but the players in question at least need to be able to make quick, short bursts to evade a marker.

Hourihane can be expansive with his passing, Hendrick can be a nuisance, but the pair's lack of mobility is frightening. Even those missing, including James McCarthy, can't provide what Ireland need.

In the midst of a reshaping of the team, a dive into the young talent pool may be needed to at least offer something different when they're in possession. Being well-drilled and in tune with the methodology is fine, but even the most tactically determined bunch struggle without a touch of speed and flair.

Ethan Ampadu & Joe Rodon Continue to Impress

Both Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon have made a strong claim to the be the first choice Welsh centre-back pairing for years to come. Granted, Sunday's opposition weren't great, but the two of them are measured in their play and well in sync with one another's action at any given time.

Strong and more than happy to get stuck in, the duo offer Ryan Giggs the platform he needs to start building a positive side. Furthermore, Ben Davies is a solid performer on the national stage, even if his club displays can be less consistent.

Ampadu stands out, though. Sheffield United have got him on a season-long loan and he's already made a decent impact (results aside), with his spot in the team one Chris Wilder may have no choice in maintaining. It begs the question, why did Chelsea loan him out? The Blues are p**s poor at the back and in urgent need of quality, so why fling off a versatile player who can even provide cover in holding midfield?

Clearly a Frank Lampard English bias. Must be.

Big Concerns Over Wales' Wide Areas

Harry Wilson and Daniel James were both...well, crap.

These two are Liverpool and Manchester United footballers, but where they are right now on the national stage is not up to scratch. For the former, it's an honest and fair assessment to make that his level is obviously not at the rest of the Reds' squad. He needs a move elsewhere - only really the Championship available now - to hit form like he did at Derby.

In James' case, he kicked off his United career in blistering form, perhaps to his detriment. Leaving defenders for dust and chipping in with a few goals, he's come nowhere near that level since and looks stuck in a rut.

The standout issue is one of confidence. Yet at present it's a self-belief that neither look like regaining. Wales can't rely on Aaron Ramsey to do everything, as he was starved of the options either side of him the duo should have provided. Real cause for concern.

Until Gareth Bale comes back, that is.