Gibson could yet be Trap’ssaviour

It would seem curious to tear up a four-year plan at the 11th hour, but in light of Trap’s long-held determination to Do A Greece, his admission that Ireland might change tactics during this next nine days shouldn’t be too surprising.

As tactics bible zonalmarking.net documents, in mugging France and the Czech Republic in 2004, Otto Rehhagel stuck with his favoured 4-4-2, with Charisteas drifting off Nikolaidis in the position Trap suggests Robbie Keane will take up.

But then, in the final, Greece switched to a middle three to match Portugal’s formation, with Charisteas shifting wide right. Rehhagel also juggled freely between four and three at the back.