Heimir Hallgrímsson is turning Ireland’s fortunes around by making some “sensible” changes to the formation, tactics and team selection, according to 1994 World Cup captain Andy Townsend. He has hailed the new head coach’s decision-making. Townsend was particularly pleased to see Hallgrímsson start two strikers in the second leg win in Dublin. “I think Heimir Hallgrimsson has been very sensible in the way that he's simplifying the team,” Townsend told Boylesport's Football Odds. “The team shape looks a lot better and I like the fact that he's prepared to, in an era where very few people do, play two upfront. “He started Troy Parrott and Evan Ferguson last time round. Evan got himself a goal, Adam Idah came off the bench and got himself a goal. They've done Bulgaria twice in a matter of a few days. That will do their confidence the world of good. “I just think that he's shown a good level of experience and understanding of international football and simplified things. “In this day and age everyone is trying to come up with the next latest and greatest idea and shape and ideas on how to win football matches consistently. Maybe going back to something a little bit more natural for the players and a little bit more feasible for the players is a sensible route and he's done that.” Reverting to a back-four is another positive move, according to the former Chelsea and Boys in Green midfielder. “He's got Robbie Brady playing left back. Ideally Robbie always wanted to play a bit further forward but at this stage of his career, his experience, got a lovely left foot,” said Townsend. “There is good experience in the back four with the likes of Matt Doherty and Robbie Brady and Caoimhin Kelleher in goal and Nathan Collins playing regularly for Brentford. “We've got a good base I think there to build from and there've just been some signs that the players are taking on board the message and are playing with a little bit more confidence. “They're not trying to look like a team. They didn't play brilliantly at times against Bulgaria, but they got the job done and that in essence is what international football is all about. “You meet up six, eight times a year and you spend a few weeks together and people think you're just going to rock up and play like Brazil used to in the 70s. “It doesn't happen that way. It's about getting the job done, getting the results, getting over the line and that will breed confidence and that will increase Ireland's chances of winning more matches. “So I think he's done well and I think he's simplified it and I think he's used his experience rather than coming in trying to show the world how brilliant I am as a coach, how inventive I am, what a tactical genius I am. “He's looked at a group of players and gone, let's simplify it for them and allow them to go and make the most of it and it's slowly working.” Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.