Sammon starter on the menu
Yesterday afternoon in Malahide, the manager was remaining upbeat about the prospects of Robbie Keane recovering from a calf strain but, by tea-time, a scan had revealed the problem was severe enough for Ireland’s skipper and record goal-scorer to be immediately ruled out of contention for the World Cup qualifier at the Aviva.
That also meant an earlier than expected recall for Kevin Doyle, with Trapattoni this time contacting him personally by phone after the Wolves striker had previously expressed disappointment at being notified of his omission from the latest squad by text.
“The manager has spoken to Kevin,” the FAI confirmed, “and he will link up with the squad in time for training in Malahide [on Monday].”
Though it will be later this afternoon before Trapattoni announces his starting 11, there are indications he is leaning towards Conor Sammon as a partner to start up front with Shane Long against the Austrians.
Alternatively, Simon Cox could get the nod, but, reading between the manager’s lines yesterday, the impression given was the big Derby County striker — a late substitute against Sweden — will get the nod.
Jon Walters, although troubled by a back problem, is expected to be fit but it remains to be seen if Trapattoni retains him on the right flank, where he played in Stockholm, or opts to play Robbie Brady there instead, now that Glenn Whelan is deemed fit to come back into the side at the expense of Paul Green. In other injury news, a scan showed positive prospects for Ciaran Clark who had missed training yesterday with a groin strain.
Although buoyed by his side’s impressive draw with Sweden, Trapattoni is acutely conscious that, especially where an evolving team is involved, pride can often come before a fall in football.
“Usually that is true, there is up and down,” he said.
“But I will want the team to show the same confidence with which we started in Sweden. We must believe this. The team’s renewal has been slowly, slowly, but I am feeling very confident. In Stockholm we weren’t missing much. Maybe we could have gotten more shots in and I hope that’s something we can do more tomorrow.”
Trapattoni also believes the presence of a pair of adventurous ball-playing full-backs in Marc Wilson and especially Seamus Coleman offers Ireland a greater attacking dimension.
“If you remember two years ago I said the offensive part of a team is not only the strikers and four midfielders — two overlapping full-backs are very important,” he said.
“Eight players can be attacking and also help defend. I always had this in my teams. When they played at full-back for Juventus, Marco [Tardelli] and [Antonio] Cabrini scored seven goals. For Ireland, we have not always had defenders like this. Paul McShane, for example, is strong but he wouldn’t score goals.
“We need players who can score goals. They can help defending but also go up. [James] McClean can attack but also defend too and that is very important to the team.”
From his days as manager in Salzburg, Trapattoni has considerable insight into the Austrian style of play but, despite his respect for the opposition, he believes Ireland can build on what they achieved in Stockholm.
“It won’t be easy as Austria are a good team who are fast and confident on the counter,” he said. “They were dangerous against Germany [in losing 2-1] and could have won. But we will play all our cards and pay attention to the changes we need to make during the game. We need to try everything possible to win.”
nIn an unusual move, the Irish squad will train at the Aviva Stadium today because Giovanni Trapattoni decided that Gannon Park in Malahide was too exposed to the raw winds coming in off the sea yesterday.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
