King can plant seed for next boss

Aiden McGeady caused a few waves this week when he called the job of managing Ireland “a poisoned chalice”.

At a time when the FAI are routinely describing the vacant post as hugely attractive — headhunter Ruud Dokter recently even went so far as to report that “everyone wants to coach Ireland” — it was hardly a surprise that a senior player’s rather more sombre analysis would hog the headlines.

But, in truth, the Spartak Moscow man was only overstating the obvious, delivering a truism which applies almost universally in the world of football.

In the Irish context, the poisoned chalice can be applied equally to a hard act to follow (Mick McCarthy having to replace Jack Charlton) and to the challenge of a resurrection job (Giovanni Trapattoni taking over from Steve Staunton).

Now, in light of the Italian’s reign ending in disappointment and disenchantment, the reappearance of the toxic vessel is only to be expected — and especially if you’re prepared to take on board McGeady’s stated belief that the incoming manager doesn’t have the highest quality pool of talent at his disposal.

Still, caretaker boss Noel King can go some little way to detoxifying the brew for the next man by guiding Ireland to a victory over Kazakhstan in the last game of World Cup qualifying at the Aviva tonight, since a win would keep the Irish firmly in the running for a second seed berth in next year’s draw for Euro 2014.

“There’s huge pressure on us because, in terms of seeding for the next campaign, it’s critical,” King maintained yesterday. “It’s not just pride. The players are going to be staying around the place and they’re playing for a serious prize — to stay second seeds.”

A win would also end a deflating campaign on a modest high as well as giving the stand-in gaffer the kind of personal glow that only comes with victory. No chalice in the whole world of football could have been more poisoned than the one King was handed for his first game as caretaker manager — and despite the positives which he was entitled to take from Cologne, almost everything about the way the night panned out served mainly to confirm what everyone always understood to be the case — Ireland were on a hiding to nothing against Germany.

That they ended up with nothing but escaped the hiding was probably the most we could have realistically anticipated but, tonight, the emphasis shifts entirely, as King’s team will not only be expected to win but do so with a wee bit of style to spare.

Which is easier said than done, of course. Still, after Germany away, Kazakhstan in Dublin should not infect either coach or players with fear. Where damage limitation was, understandably, the order of the night in Cologne, the onus will now be on the home side to get hold of the ball and take the game to ordinary opposition.

And to do that, one is entitled to expect King will call in players who can make a constructive difference behind the front man, with Robbie Keane — if he suffers no reaction to last night’s training — back in the fold as skipper.

In contrast to Friday, when the positioning of Doyle and Glenn Whelan effectively left Ireland with no attacking width, there should really be a place this evening for an orthodox winger, like McGeady or James McClean, and also a spot for one of the squad’s playmakers, such as Andy Reid or Wes Hoolahan.

Reid is probably the more deserving right now and not for sentimental reasons. Currently on a hot streak for Nottingham Forest, he can bring guile, clever passing, dead ball delivery and also an eye for a goal to the Irish team.

But it’s King’s call and he was still keeping his cards close to his chest yesterday. A winger?

“There’s a big strong case for doing that,” he conceded. “That’s what you’ve got to sleep on having had a look at the training. But I think the system will be the same.

“We proved with it [in Germany] that we can attack and counter-attack. You can play the same structural shape but from that you can do lots of things: you can counter, you can attack, you can keep possession and you can defend. That’s the beauty of it.”

King also indicated that Anthony Stokes remains firmly in his thoughts, despite the Celtic man having no joy in front of goal in Cologne.

“He was a handful for them at all times,” King insisted, “so he’s in strong consideration to play again.”

Making alterations from the Germany game is “a very difficult thing because the boys have given so much”, he went on. “To just dismiss that effort and make changes is huge for me. But if that’s what’s required, we’ll do it.”

Asked if he would be embarrassed should Ireland lose to Kazakhstan, the interim manager replied: “It all depends on the manner of the game. The expectation is, because of Ireland and who we are — we think we’re the greatest thing since sliced pan, we do. And I do myself. If I was standing in the stand I’d be saying, ‘we’ll beat Kazakhstan’. But I’m not.

“Would it be an embarrassment for me? If we apply ourselves and do well and do the basics correctly and then we got beaten — no, that wouldn’t be embarrassing. That’s football. I’d live with that. But if we didn’t perform and weren’t hugely dominant in phases, then I would be upset.

“But embarrassed? No. Because I’m an honest, hard-working coach from Dublin, and if we do the right things and I keep my honour and the boys apply themselves, then I’ll have no difficulty with that.”

The lowest crowd for a competitive game at the Aviva Stadium is expected for tonight’s game against Kazakhstan, with the FAI predicting an attendance of around 20,000.