SOCCER:GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI likes sticking with tried and trusted players. The recovery of Richard Dunne and Robbie Keane ensures the backbone of the side remains familiar but the coach's failure to look more closely at what is in reserve during friendly matches may come back to haunt the Republic of Ireland tonight.
We know Trapattoni is not going to change things unless it is forced upon him. He will live and die by his ultra-cautious approach and so must the rest of us.
This conservatism has, in fairness, been offset by the selection of Darron Gibson alongside Glenn Whelan in midfield. They will complement each other. To have gone back to Paul Green again would have been hugely unfair on Gibson, who is finally presented with the task of controlling Irish possession.
Gibson has been around the squad long enough now to be trusted by Trapattoni and coming from one of the biggest clubs in the world must count for something. The argument he doesn’t feature enough for Manchester United can be countered by the likes of Robbie Keane and John O’Shea being in similar situations yet continually selected for Ireland.
Most importantly, Gibson passes the ball better than anyone else in contention for midfield.
The loss of O’Shea, Shay Given and now Sean St Ledger to a knock in training this week must be deeply concerning for Trapattoni. It has forced alternations to his team that ordinarily he would have never contemplated.
Keiren Westwood, Kevin Foley and Darren O’Dea must now attempt to seamlessly fill in.
I have no doubt Dunne will do what he has always done and leave his club/personal problems behind him in Birmingham to sort out this unfamiliar defence. The same can be said about Keane. Their leadership has never been more important.
Kevin Kilbane’s experience is another invaluable asset at left back and means Ciarán Clarke’s arrival has been postponed for another day. All the 172 combined caps of Dunne and Kilbane should ensure the new trio in the defensive quintet will be constantly talked through the process of keeping the Macedonians under wraps.
It is important Westwood doesn’t try to emulate Given. Just transfer the mentality he brings to any Coventry City game and follow the goalkeeping creed of keeping things simple. I have no concerns about Foley at right back, having seen him up close in a B international, while his form for Wolves this season has been good. O’Dea is the only concern as he has not been playing regularly enough.
The only advice for him is to stay in tune with Dunne’s promptings. Otherwise, Inter Milan’s Gordon Pandev could expose the partnership.
If the defence holds firm everything should revolve around Gibson. Green could have come in beside Whelan and they could make their tackles all night long, but Gibson can get his head up to supply quality ball to the wide men and Kevin Doyle. This should create a few chances for Keane.
Doyle will lead the line as usual but Robbie remains the finisher. He may need two or three efforts at it but it is Ireland’s captain who will be tasked with winning the game.
It was evident this season for Spurs and then West Ham, before injury, he was painfully lacking the sharpness that can only come with regular games. There is no way he can be back to his best tonight but all he needs to do is bank one of the opportunities that come his way.
Aiden McGeady’s defensive frailty is another worry, especially in comparison to the way Damien Duff tracks back and covers overlapping full backs.
That said, the Spartak Moscow winger’s ability to go past players always makes his inclusion worthwhile. Should McGeady or Gibson switch off in their covering duties they better have already conjured up something to give Ireland a cushion.
If things do stagnate, which could easily happen against respectable opposition, I would throw James McCarthy into the mix. People are blue in the face watching the most gifted Irish players performing for their clubs but not used at international level over the last few years.
It seems too big an ask of Trapattoni’s naturally reserved instincts, but the boy is going to be an excellent player over the coming seasons. He is better than Green and, like Gibson, he will create opportunities for others so if we need more emphasis, I would send him in.
Liam Lawrence is another who brings obvious value and looks a more likely option as Trapattoni trusts him. He brings both height and a decent delivery.
All that matters is the collection of three points because history tells us we will struggle in Macedonia in June. And Russia in September doesn’t exactly hold much hope either. They are the nights for a strict adherence to Trapattoni’s defensive wall.
