Opportunity knocks for McClean and Gibson

Those fringe players who start today, or come on, have a big chance to impress the manager before the serious action starts, writes BRIAN KERR

FOR A manager, the friendly games before a tournament have three crucial functions: firstly, they provide an opportunity to re-establish team tactics; second, the chance to experiment with the line-up to help with selection and to look at options, and, critically, to assess the sharpness and fitness of the squad.

While the possibility of injuries in these games is always a worry, Giovanni Trapattoni’s injury list is already a concern, to the point that this game is almost a nuisance – particularly in light of worries about Shay Given and defenders John O’Shea, Richard Dunne, Seán St Ledger and Kevin Foley.

For that reason, then, it’s strange to me that Dunne and St Ledger are starting. If there is any doubt at all about them, why take that risk?

It could be that the manager’s plan is to be more experimental in the friendly against Hungary, to use this one to play as close to his preferred XI as injuries allow. Still, I’m surprised he’s taking a chance on players who have been struggling recently with knocks.

Tactically, though, it will be more of the same for the players, just two tight units of four with clear defensive roles and sporadic attacking ventures being the norm.

While I wasn’t surprised that Trapattoni went for seven defenders in the Euro 2012 squad, none of the midfield selected is adaptable for a defending position. And now the seven have begun to look a bit sparse, with Paul McShane’s less than encouraging re-entry. While Stephen Kelly is adequate cover for the main men, the other defenders don’t provide the insurance back-up necessary at this level.

But for the likes of Darron Gibson and James McClean, who start today, and other players he might bring on, it’s a crucial opportunity to impress the manager and convince him that they are good enough to start games when they come thick and fast in the tournament.

Keith Fahey has had a brilliant season at Birmingham, but badly needs to play after missing the run-in and play-offs with a groin problem. While Trapattoni’s midfield four seems set in stone, this game and next week’s against Hungary will be vital, if they all get a chance, for Fahey, Gibson, Stephen Hunt and McClean to try to persuade him to change the sitting tenants, Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan and Aiden McGeady. We badly need a bit of verve and youth, and McClean can provide it if trusted.

It’s good to see him in the starting line-up.

I was surprised, though, to see Robbie Keane in the team. I would have thought he would have been better off having a rest, given that he looked jaded in the matches recently for LA Galaxy. A busy season, from Galaxy to Aston Villa and back again, has begun to take its toll on his recent performances and a rest would have been the best thing for the skipper.

Barring injury, Keane is sure to play against Croatia, so this was a chance for the manager to have a good look at a Jon Walters and Simon Cox combination, or Shane Long and Cox. He and we know well what we get from the Kevin Doyle-Keane partnership, so why not have a look at his options?

Bosnia-Herzegovina will provide a similar style to Croatia. They used all, of course, be part of the one team as Yugoslavia. Beaten in the play-offs for the last two tournaments by Portugal, they play a technical, passing game with an emphasis on attack, to their cost at times. They almost pipped France to qualify and provide an ideal contrast, given our style.

But I do hope we have some more possession than in our last game against the Czechs in which we were outplayed for 80 minutes until Cox’s fine goal rescued a draw.

At times in that game it appeared that Trapattoni was attempting to deal with our usual shortage of possession against the common three-man midfield of continental teams by asking Keane or Long to drop in and deal with the central holding midfield player. But neither seemed convinced by or dedicated to the role and the Czech three continued to dominate possession.

It doesn’t help when Given’s long kicks are usually won by the opposition centre backs and the pieces picked up by their midfield, with Whelan and Andrews too far away. This problem must be addressed because we know Trapattoni won’t change to three in central midfield.

We will spend all three games in Poland chasing after the opposition who’ll have the ball.

The chance is there now for the manager to look at dealing with our biggest problem, apart from our habit of starting attacks kicking the ball high up in the air towards the running centre forwards.

As a coach I often considered whether I had a duty to put out a team in a style that entertained people, or should I just try to get results by hook or by crook? The result was always paramount, even when I managed schoolboy teams, I admit, sadly.

The responsibility, though, to give value, entertain and excite the paying customers, which is what the fans are, always weighed heavily on me. Being brought up on the great Real Madrid of Puskas and Di Stefano, the stylish buzz of Bill Nicholson’s Spurs, with Jones, White, Blanchflower et al, even before Jock Stein’s Celtic Lions of Lisbon, not forgetting the graceful Ronnie Whelan Snr and the deadly Ginger O’Rourke at St Pats, ensured that my intent with all my teams was to try and play a game that entertained and pleased the eye, with sensible defending.

Even with the Faroe Islands John McDonnell and myself committed to a more adventurous style than ever before, with very limited resources. What’s the point?

Well, Trapattoni’s view is that it’s only the result that is remembered and the show isn’t. I disagree, Trap. The performance and the show matter. Our last game against the Czech Republic will be remembered by me alright: the most boring game of football I’ve seen in years. So, come on Giovanni, surprise me, cheer me and my mates up before it all starts. Just ask Shay and the back four to pass it out every now and again. No chance? I thought so.

Roll on the Euros.