I think with a mix of 2 of Rufer/lewis/bell we will win a lot of ball and actually hold some possession for once.
However mostly those opponents have just been better at creating clear chances, and then more clinical. On the whole they have better players. But the average technicial ability of our midfielders is leaps ahead of previous generations, so holding the ball for periods is now expected.
It definitely felt the 2nd half of that Irish game could be a turning point. Lets not forget most of those games above, Singh hasn't been available. Him being fit is absolutely crucial (more even than Wood) to the AWs achieving anything of note.