Trap in need of Stan’s Tigers now
Because, exactly six years ago, the Italian’s immediate predecessor found himself in an almost identical situation to that now facing the current boss.
In October 2006, Ireland had just topped off a dreadful summer with an utterly atrocious display away from home against one of the group’s also-rans. It sparked all manner of debate about the future of the manager and direction of the team.
Worse, next up were not just one of the best teams in the group but one of the best in the world. And Staunton had to face them despite a growing injury crisis.
Many expected a disaster. Instead, they saw an admirable show of defiance.
In spite of the recent 5-2 defeat to Cyprus and the fact four players — including Paul McShane and Jonathan Douglas — had to be given their competitive debuts, Ireland somehow pulled off a creditable 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic.
Kevin Kilbane roused Lansdowne Road with the opening goal before Jan Koller inevitably took advantage of a makeshift Irish defence to equalise. Afterwards, Staunton said he was disappointed — but only not to have won after such a fine performance.
“They were tigers,” he said.
It isn’t the only time such a statement has been heard. In fact, it’s one of the most common clichés associated with the Irish team.
No matter the circumstances, the squad will supposedly always be capable of digging deep and drawing some intangible notion of ‘pride’ to overcome problems when it is most needed — like for the visit of a superpower.
Even the man who has been positioned as the anti-cliché, Roy Keane, got in on the act ahead of Euro 2012.
“Ireland always bring something different. They have the spirit... that gives you a chance.”
Indeed, that very draw against the Czechs would appear to lend credence to the clichés. Despite the general shambles the Euro 2008 qualifiers were, Ireland still produced a show in the most demanding home game. By the time the Germans visited a year later, after all, the main details in the group had been decided.
Now Germany are coming again and there is a lot at stake, a repeat will be required. The key question, then, is whether it’s really true? As a rule, do Ireland raise their game for the biggest home occasions?
Worryingly, it’s not quite clear-cut.
In the last decade, Dublin has hosted five broadly do-or-die games in which Ireland had to get a result against either a truly top side or their closest competitors.
Aside from the Czechs in 2006, there was Russia 2003, Switzerland 2005 France in 2005 and again in 2009. The outcome was three draws, two defeats and, on the whole, four meek performances. Indeed, other than against the Czechs, the last truly rousing home display was versus the Netherlands in 2001.
Of course, just as that famous Jason McAteer game was about much more than pride, there were many more caveats to the other disappointments.
But isn’t that the point? Attributes like ‘spirit’ are supposed to arrive in spite of form and formation.
Interestingly, one former pro once argued to this newspaper that the whole idea is “bullshit”. Ultimately, he said, it’s hard to show “heart” when a manager puts you in a position you either don’t understand or don’t believe in. Similarly, a ‘lack of spirit’ is too easy a label to throw at a player when, due to tactical error, he constantly finds himself stretched.
By contrast, Jose Mourinho had made a career out of getting players to resolutely believe in their role. Trapattoni himself pulled off a similar trick in Paris 2009. What was that if not players performing their jobs to the maximum degree?
On the other side of it though, there is no denying drastic situations can occasionally create a siege mentality. That was what we saw after Saipan in 2002; that was what we saw against the Czechs in 2006.
But, as history proves, it isn’t as dependable as often assumed. Trapattoni will have to find a balance.
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