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New challenge and new life, but same ol’ Trap
New campaign, same old Giovanni Trapattoni. And, as a result, the World Cup qualifiers will likely see the same old Ireland.
By Miguel Delaney
If yesterday’s squad announcement is anything to go by, the Euro 2012 whitewash doesn’t appear to have provided the reality check many assumed. Rather, Trapattoni seems to have reflected and, not for the first time, reverted to type. Any changes to his Irish team will be gradual rather than glaring. For one, the manager effectively reiterated that he would not change a thing about his preparation for Poland and, just as he did after the Italian defeat in Poznan, insisted that the entire tournament might have been different had it not been for those “two minutes” against Croatia. As such, he stated he will not switch to three in midfield despite the dominance of that approach in Poland and Ukraine. The old 4-4-2 formation, then, is likely to be filled by many of the same old faces.
Although the rest afforded to five senior players allows for — or, perhaps, enforces – experimentation for August’s away friendly against Serbia, Trapattoni all but admitted that the line-up is likely to be familiar enough once the World Cup qualifiers start.
“The friendly is an opportunity to see [younger players]. They can also show their personalities, to see if they have improved.
“Kazakhstan [will not be about experimentation]. Germany will require a lot of character.”
For character, of course, read experience. And, although there had been some confusion over whether it was manager or individual players who made the calls for Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane and Stephen Hunt to sit out the Serbia friendly next month, Trapattoni stated it was his decision for them to take a rest and that none have retired from the scene.
The Italian did concede that some of the senior players’ exact roles might change but made sure to highlight the continued importance of Dunne, in particular, in the absence of international-level centre-halves.
“I said to Richard ‘you are very important for us’. When I spoke to him, there was no problem.
“I also said in the past that it’s important that the senior players give a hand to the others, bringing them through. One or two of them already agree with me and don’t have a problem with not playing [full games]. One or two do. I can’t say the name. I am sure they understand. It is important they come with us. They can help us grow.
“One month ago they were available and ready to play the Euros so it does not make sense that, one month later, they are [not]. [For Serbia] we are just looking at options. It is not an either-or situation.”
For one other apparent either-or situation, though, Trapattoni did get slightly agitated. When pressed on why he had called up a Championship player in Keith Treacy rather than a regular Premier League starter in wide-man Anthony Pilkington, the manager broke from the generally relaxed mood.
“It is not strange. We look at the position. Stephen Hunt is at home. We have James McClean. Treacy can also play in this position and behind the striker.
“Treacy is a different player.”
Although Trapattoni was broadly evasive on the subject of Pilkington, he seemed to imply that Treacy was a preferable option because of his versatility and also the basic fact that he has been called up before. More than anything, this summed up the overall sense that Trapattoni is sticking to his ways. Despite the opportunity the Serbia friendly provides, he did not call up a single player that hasn’t been in a squad before and kept the numbers at the surprisingly limited 23. Experimentation, it seems, will only go so far.
That was also reflected in his rationale for not trying out three in midfield. Essentially, Trapattoni explained that Ireland don’t have central midfielders of sufficient attacking quality to properly support a lone striker. In order for his team to pose an attacking threat, he argued, they need to keep two up front.
“Many other teams have the potential for midfielders to go up front. Ours do not score many goals. It’s important.”
One other constant, however, is much more welcome. If Trapattoni is refusing to make any big changes to his first XI, he is at least also keeping his enthusiasm too. One of the striking aspects of yesterday’s press conference was the vigour he illustrated, as well as the determination to atone for Euro 2012.
“It is like a drug to me. Not a bad drug. It’s life.
“I am sure the last Euros was just an accident. In my [career], I have won a lot but I have also lost a lot. When I start again, I start with the spirit of revenge, renewed vigour. New campaign, new life.”
But the same old approach? Time will tell.