A tale of two Reids
“After the victory, a beautiful day, no?” he began. “The sun is also shining – a big surprise in Dublin.”
But it didn’t take long for a little cloud to darken his vision, the vexed question of Andy Reid was the reason for the change in mood. Not that the manager ever came close to exploding in the manner of his Bayern Munich rant made famous on YouTube, but while he retained his good humour throughout the proceedings, the subject of the Sunderland midfielder’s continued omission saw Trapattoni grow louder, more animated and even revert to Italian in order to make himself more clearly understood through his interpreter.
The question which sparked the extended oration was, at once, straightforward and calculated to provoke a response: Trapattoni had spoken before of how he saw Andy Reid’s best role as playing behind the striker so had he considered bringing him on in that capacity during the game on Wednesday night?
“I thought about that also in the game against Montenegro,” he replied.
“This particular position only works if we are playing the ball but if we are under pressure then that particular type of play doesn’t work. And this is not the way this team is working.
“I want to clarify this. I have always played players that were needed at the particular moment. I always looked at the team’s interest but I saw also many, many (Irish) games in the last two, three years — which player played? Andy Reid? (Stephen) Ireland? I have nothing against any player. I’m just looking to build a solid, balanced team that can give us hope for the future.
“For me it’s like they are like all my children. I can make mistakes but I don’t have anything against anybody. Andy has certain qualities but it’s not necessarily what we need. It’s not that it’s a problem or that it should be a problem for Andy Reid.”
Contrasting Ireland’s qualities and resources with those available to Europe’s most formidable club and national teams, Trapattoni seemed to suggest that his new charges must play to their own strengths – though it’s worth pointing out that when he went on to speak of leaving Ireland and returning to Italy, it was clear to those present that it was a comic rhetorical flourish rather than a threat.
“I’ve always had big teams that won everything in Europe. I know how these big teams work. So it’s nothing against one player, let’s make that clear. Perhaps I am used to teams that are too big, perhaps I shouldn’t stay here in Ireland, perhaps I should go back to Italy.
“I’m not being presumptuous but I also know that if we get to the point where our team dominates a game and we have the right balance – then, of course, Andy Reid can be very useful to us.
“But I can’t turn somebody into a worker, a craftsman, if that’s not his job. I didn’t get a chance to try him out in Portugal because of his injury. So now I find myself in the situation where I have been able to build a team that has a certain balance and, now that we are playing the qualifiers, I can’t gamble, I can’t keep changing, I need to stick to what I have. I have to be consistent and, although a philosopher says if you’re too consistent you run the risk of being an idiot, I can’t keep changing day after day.”
Still, Trapattoni knows better than to believe that the Andy Reid issue will now disappear from the back pages. Smiling at the assembled media in front of him, he observed: “Until last month it was Stephen Ireland, now it is Andy Reid. I know your work, eh? It’s normal. After a victory, I can smile like this.”
He wasn’t smiling, however, when I asked if he was concerned that the knee injury to the other Irish Reid — Steven – could prove long-term and perhaps threaten his participation in the rest of the qualifying campaign.
“For him, I hope not,” said Trapattoni solemnly. “But I knew also that his injury was very, very dangerous – the cartilage, I know that. It’s true that the physical presence and athleticism of that particular player is important. For that reason, I have looked at other players in that position. For example, like (Keith) Andrews – he’s strong, physical; he also plays good football. We have other options in that position and in the next game, maybe, I will look at that.”
The matter is of particular urgency since Trapattoni was prepared to admit that his midfield of Glenn Whelan and Darron Gibson had struggled against Cyprus.
“You can say, sure, we had a little bit of difficulty in midfield but Cyprus are a team which has been playing together for four years. But, yes, we did suffer in midfield. Our team is not a new team but we did have young players along with the famous players. Gibson, for example, was a little bit shy and shaky, he didn’t get straight into the match. He didn’t take the initiative like he’s capable of doing because he has a good personality. But this has always been my way – I’ve always tried to develop young players.
“Sure we have to improve. For example, after a few minutes we had the advantage of a goal. Normally, a more mature group would score again but we didn’t exert enough pressure to score another goal. If we had thought a little more calmly we would have taken the chance to score more, and this is only possible if we build trust and confidence, if we work on developing young players. For example, McGeady played very well but near the penalty area he needs to think about the situation and pass the ball better. Cyprus played well together, like an orchestra, but we’re a different team, with our own characteristics. We need to improve some of our young players. But it’s only by playing that we can improve. Leaders are not born, you need to work on it. Like, it’s only by working that you become a great journalist.”
A theatrical pause. And then, he added with a smile: “Or not.”
Even when some of the wolves are already howling, victory is a great way to keep them from the door.
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