Chips are down but Brady still stands by his man
The grunt of relief from George Hamilton when Marc Wilson’s rasper lifted the Torshavn torpor. And the sound of endgame postponed?
“What’s seldom is beautiful,” reflected George, referring, in the main, to the Stoke man’s scoring record, but also, no doubt, moments of positivity in Irish football’s rough 2012.
But did it all come too late for Trapattoni? The complaint has been made more than once that RTÉ’s influence is often too great in the shaping of the nation’s affairs. Then, before last night’s kick-off, came the ominous admission from touchline executioner Tony O’Donoghue.
“I’ve presided over the end of the Jack Charlton era and after that Mick McCarthy, Brian Kerr and Steve Staunton.”
Even on this night of some respite, it was gallant then of Trap to emerge afterwards to stand before judge and jury. Unfortunately, he seemed intent on bolstering the case against him.
“All the team played well. Especially McCarthy. Wilson. Coleman.”
It was a tap-in chief prosecutor Eamon Dunphy wasn’t going to pass up. “Tonight was as much an indictment of him as in his favour. Wilson, Coleman and McCarthy are players who, for one reason or another, have been ignored or blocked.”
“There are certain basics you have to do as an international manager. You have to be sure what talent is available to you. The second basic is you don’t pick fights in public with players. He has contributed massively to a loss of credibility in himself.”
If Liam Brady hadn’t disowned his old mentor on Bad Friday, he was unlikely to do so on Satisfactory Tuesday.
“The last time we were in this position was when Mick McCarthy was hounded out of the job. This guy knows what he’s doing. We’re on track to qualify. We will look ridiculous to the rest of the football world if we sack this man.”
To Gilesy, that didn’t sound like taking the big decision on its merits.
“I wouldn’t care about the rest of the world. The rest of the world wouldn’t know the circumstances. I said before the match I think he should go regardless of the result and I haven’t changed my mind.”
Consider positions entrenched.
As if to underline that he judged everything on its merits, Gilesy admitted we played very well on the night, but there had been times in the first half when those Samaritans hoardings looked money well spent.
In commentary, Ronnie Whelan, whose settings appear to be exasperation and despair, flicked nervously between the two
“Those are the little things we can’t get right. I say the little things. I mean the big things.”
After days of speculation about discord between the stars and the experienced grey-haired figure that guides them, we saw the first evidence at half-time.
“I think they are advantaged by the pitch. They know how to play it better than we do,” suggested Brady. “Even if they’ve only played one game on it…” chanced Billo, inviting the Chippy glare.
Wilson’s goal aside, perhaps the highlight of the second half was the latest of many imaginary conversations that go on in George Hamilton’s head, this one between the unfortunate Justinussen — whose own goal eased nerves — and his goalkeeper.
“‘How did I do that?’ he asks. Gunnar Nielsen says ‘Don’t let it concern you.’” George’s mind is a polite and conciliatory place.
Beforehand Robbie Keane was on hand to defend his gaffer, albeit by suggesting Trap was well used to dealing with embarrassing defeats.
He’s probably been through this so many times before.” Gio’s defence team really must better groom the witnesses. Even so, Robbie was back again afterwards to insist Trap would be dodging Tony’s axe for now. “Going by the dressing room, I’d say he’ll definitely be here.”
Was there a little softening too in the prosecution’s summary?
“He hasn’t been an unmitigated disaster. He’s been a mitigated disappointment.” Over to you Tony.
