That was a not unexpected chastening but where do we go from here? Given out for Westwood? Coleman, McCarthy, Robbie Brady, Clark, Marc Wilson?? Play McClean? Start to play football and rely on ball players....... Or do we keep on keeping on playing this brand of football that can get us to the big stage but be a turgid mess once we get there.
We don't get to this stage often enough, but when we do get to this stage I (being 27 years old that is) am used to putting in meat and guts performances being the unfancied underdog. Unfortunately though we seem completely out of our depth, relying on old hands and McGeady to do something. I had much bigger ambitions given our unlucky exit from WC2010 and our solid qualifying campaign. The only sense of achieving some progress I can think of is maybe to play the younger fellas against Italy, drop the Keanes, Duffs and even the McGeadys and try to look towards Brazil 14.
When Trap managed Italy he had Pirlo doing the job that Andrews and Whelan do. A mental waste of a footballer imo. We have guys like James McCarthy who can play football. He is not there for other reasons apparently, but he would be there if he was starting games. I am sure of that. I am still not totally on board with McCarthy but we need footballers. Green got the nod tonight ahead of Gibson. I don't understand that at all. Green hasn't been seen for months yet gets a gig against the best side in the world. I am thankful for what Trap has built and I won't compare myself to Dunphy but I understand why he fell out with Jack Charlton now whereas I couldn't get it at all way back then. We had great footballers then but Jack made them play a certain way. Trap does the same and it is irritating to me. Playing McGeady (who I am a huge fan of) and Duff and then only letting the full back get as far as them up the pitch is a waste of two players. Or at very least it is minimising both their chances of being effective. Play one of them as a Number ten and add a footballing midfielder and both of them look like much better players.
To answer your question - you have to be pragmatic ! I support a L2 team. I can't see it reaching the Premier ( I know about Wigan & Blackpool. ) - unless we get a billionaire to invest etc. Ireland is stuck with the choice of eligible players ( they can't just be bought ) - and will always remain a league 2 grade of country. Once in a blue moon you get a result like Greece in the Euros of 2004. That was their first appearance in a tournament finals for 24 years - it was a freak result ( unlike the 0-4 scoreline last night .) I don't expect my L2 team to win much - but I do expect them to fight. I don't think that Ireland were guilty of not fighting - it's just that Spain were too good. ( great support - can't see England fans being so loyal )
How ****e has McGeady been? I was half expecting him to put on a wee show but he's been completely anonymous over the two games, his only contribution seems to be him getting caught in possession.
really cant stand trap - and dont think he has evolved with football, frankly...he'll get you qualified, but thats about it...horribly defensive manager - i'd hate him near a team that i really cared about...that he wouldnt even give pilkington, tierney and hoolahan a chance made me think even less of him - my honest opinion is that he doesnt think very much of the players under him - hence why he lines the team up like he does - mick wouldv'e got more out of them/..
The thread wasn't borne out of the fact that we got a whuppin, rather the fact that we are out and have to reconsider our approach for the forthcoming qualifiers. I called it caveman football which was unfair. I just find it ugly and against the natural strengths of the players available. It is very regimented but the question is whether we would or could achieve the same standard with a more dynamic approach. I think this post might appear a little like a bitching session. It isnt intended as that, i am just asking whether or not the approach needs to change to see us maintain what we have.
What has Duff done? Whelan? Andrews? Keane? Doyle? Anyone? At least McGeady tries things, takes people on... he loses the ball a lot because he takes risks. Duff turns around and gives it to the full back
I've never been a fan of his. Not sure about Hunt though. But as for McClean. Now there's a player. Trap should've taken the risk and played him against Croatia, the only game that we realistically could win. As it turned out we were a bit unlucky in that game though Croatia were the better side by far. Against Spain nobody expected anything from us and true to form we didn't disappoint. Against Italy I don't expect anything better. At least when Jack and Mick were in charge we managed to win some games and qualify for the second phase. Now we are an embarrassment. The first team out, conceding 7 goals etc... I'd say we need a better manager. Someone like Lowe or Blanc or Bilic. Somebody a bit younger with good tactical knowledge who is prepared to make changes when plan A is so obviously not working
