Trapattoni considers tinkering on the double

IT might not quite amount to a Russian revolution but change is definitely in the air for Ireland as Giovanni Trapattoni prepares to plot the nation’s course through the final four games of Euro 2012 qualification.

The Italian has always been an advocate of evolution — a Sean St Ledger introduced here, a Simon Cox there — but as he looks ahead to the double-header against Slovakia and Russia next month, he is clearly giving thought to a couple of significant tactical and personnel alterations.

Acutely conscious that Ireland’s only defeat in Group B saw the team overrun in midfield by a rampant Russia in Dublin, Trapattoni is contemplating the activation of a Plan B for the return trip to Moscow on September 6.

“It’s true,” he said.

“One of my doubts last year was this midfield. We knew before the game against Russia that this would be a difficult situation. We were at home, and so it was difficult to change the system. But maybe in the future we could change. We could go to Moscow with maybe one striker with one more in midfield.”

Trapattoni pointed to the deployment of the same system when he charged Andy Keogh with playing a deep-lying role against Italy in Liege in June. And, similarly, he admitted asking Robbie Keane to drop back and help his midfield limit the threat of Luka Modric in Wednesday’s scoreless draw with Croatia.

“When we have one more in midfield we can adapt our strategy,” he said.

However, the manager’s decision to go with a changed formation will be informed by a couple of unpredictable factors — the result against Slovakia on September 2 and the availability of Kevin Doyle, who would likely be asked to play the lone front-man role.

Injuries are the one thing which remain entirely out of Trapattoni’s control and, worryingly, he had to admit yesterday that he will be sweating on the powers of recovery of not only Doyle but also Aiden McGeady and Keith Andrews in the next few weeks.

On the subject of the left-full position, however, the manager stopped just short of confirming that Kevin Kilbane will not get to play his 67th competitive game in succession against Slovakia in Dublin on September 2.

Kilbane might have been included in the preliminary squad yesterday but Stephen Ward, having impressed again against the Croats, appears well placed to bring an end to the Derby man’s record-breaking run.

“You saw how we finished the season with Ward and every season, every time, we have changed when it’s possible to change. St Ledger, for example. When we have certainty, we can change in this situation.”

Trap also talked about other options — like John O’Shea playing at left-back — but when he was pushed too far on the matter, he showed a touch of exasperation.

“Your job is easy,” he told the media, and then, rising from his seat, made it clear by mime that, when it comes to who makes the big decisions, his is the hot seat that counts.

Giovanni Trapattoni also knows better than anyone else what happens on the pitch in the next two games will be key in determining for how long more he remains that seat’s occupant.