Football Orphan: Ireland to face current, and former World champions in Euro 2012 group.
Only now that the Euro 2012 draw is done can we let the real excitement begin. We’ve been drawn to play Croatia, Spain and lastly Italy in what looks like a fairly tough group whichever way you look at it. Technically we are lagging way behind compared to the others, but from the opposition side, they won’t be too pleased to draw Ireland. As pointed out by some Irish pundits covering the draw, Spain not only have a bad game in them at tournament level, they also have heavy expectancy as they attempt to be the first nation to win three majors in a row.
Italy also known for being slow starters at this level will be under more pressure facing a national treasure in Giovanni Trapattoni. With a team that has been rolling down hill for a number of years despite winning the World Cup. The Italians are well past their sell by date, and should not anticipate celebrating a glorious summer. Croatia on the other hand in my opinion throw up the most curious challenge. They always convey a togetherness similar to Ireland. They have technical ability to burn, and fight shoulder to shoulder until the very end every time. In my view it is they who hold the key to this group.
Spain and Italy have everything to lose, Ireland and Croatia have everything to gain. As we have often seen in the past, expectation and pressure on a nation going to a major tournament can do peculiar things. France imploded in South Africa in 2010, Netherlands have also had a history of in fighting, while Spain have only just arrested their failure to bond, as they lifted the European and World Cup in 2008 and 2010 respectively. If you’d like to see what kind of harmony runs through the Spanish set up currently, watch the Classico next weekend between Barcelona and Real Madrid. It will be more than evident that only close friends Xavi of Barcelona and Casillas of Real Madrid manage to hold things together. Should one or the other lose their grip, major cracks begin to appear in the national set up. For now all we can do is speculate and drool over the prospects of our first major tournament in ten years, our first European tournament in twenty-four. It promises to at very least, stop us talking about the bad weather come next summer.
Football Orphan: A-viva la vida, Ireland secure qualification for Euro 2012.
Who the man? You the man!
After all of the complaints, the whining, and the downright disenchantment of the tactics deployed by Giovanni Trapattoni we finally made it to the finals of a major tournament. I am just as guilty as anybody else for any negative comments directed at the supremely experienced Italian coach. The simple fact of the matter is that, it is nigh on impossible for a nation like ours to qualify for these tournaments and the wily old fox pulled it off. He may have had luck on his side at times, he may even have pulled a rabbit out of the hat once or twice. The ultimate crowning glory that he has brought to the team is solidity and consistency.
Throughout both qualifying campaigns we always looked, for the most part pretty comfortable. Even if it was backs to the wall at times, we had discipline and a team togetherness that was not always evident under other Ireland managers. Trapattoni quite obviously inherited a complete shambles from the previous regime led by Steve Staunton. What he moulded with our squad is miraculous. This achievement in my opinion should never be underestimated.
The Italian is never shy to make a decision or two with regard to discipline as Andy Reid found out. I have no sympathy for Andy Reid and his exclusion. When we all heard tales of late night drinking at major tournaments previously, most thought it should have been dealt with. It really made us look like amateurs among professionals. This where I believe he bound his players together. To be a professional footballer is a privilege, any fool can go on the lash down the pub. When a coach gives players black and white rules and guidelines coupled with his trust, the entire squad give everything for their leader. James McCarthy was cold shouldered for a little while too, for a misdemeanor. . James McCarthy’s error will be forgiven once, any more “No shows” and I feel his International career is over before it gets started.
There will be more casualties in the group before the final selection is made for the finals in the summer. I wouldn’t expect any sentiment from Trapattoni. His CV is jam-packed with success from wherever he’s worked, and you don’t earn success through sentiment. The team will hardly deviate from what we’ve already seen, with the exception of injuries and suspensions. It will be interesting to see how well we pit our wits against the cream of European football having never had an experienced coach of his calibre guiding us through a tournament. We will be a minnow amongst some heavyweights, therefore we won’t be expected to be the offensive team. That will suit our coaching staff nicely. Dare I said it….. We may have reason to be optimistic going into a major tournament…..
Friday December the 2nd is the next date to mark in your diary. The draw will take place with Ireland in pot 4. Meaning we are unable to draw France, Czech Republic and Denmark. I personally have a sneaky feeling that we may either draw Italy, with some extra spice for the manager, or the old foe across the water, England. This is potentially a nightmare waiting to happen for the English. While getting to the finals is a victory for us, failure leads to humiliation for them. Being drawn against bigger teams has always worked out a little better for England in the past, with two Italian coaches and neighbouring countries it would be the ultimate international derby game.
Football Orphan: Solid and expansive or punch drunk waiting for the bell? Ireland’s international review.
Now that this rather inconvenient international break has come to an end we have to ask ourselves, what have we learned from it?
Well firstly there’s Shane Long. He’s in blistering form and is ready for action when called upon. Similar with Keith Fahey, a fantastic man to have in reserve, if not in the first eleven. We still know that Darron Gibson is out of his depth playing at international level, and does the best impression of a professional footballer I’ve ever seen.
The future looks bright with James McCarthy and Ciaran Clarke finally getting some game time. Aiden McGeady is really starting to fulfil the promise we’ve waited on for so long, while Kieran Westwood is looking like an able deputy for Shay Given.
After the usual nail-biting performance against Macedonia and a heartening outing against World Cup semi finalists Uruguay, all looks well with the players coming through. It’s now down to a supremely experienced management team to make us more solid and expansive as a unit.
The last two competitive outings saw us struggle to trouble Russia going forward, and when Macedonia clawed a goal back we looked a little punch drunk waiting for the bell to save us. When other managers were in charge we half expected this kind of thing to happen. With two grand masters of Italian football behind the wheel, we would hope expect fewer speed wobbles before the finish line, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Football Orphan: From Russia with love.
Ireland took a massive three points towards qualifying for Euro 2012 last night with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Macedonia. The result at the Aviva Stadium puts Ireland level on top of group B with Russia and Slovakia.
Leaders Russia had earlier been held to a scoreless draw by Armenia, while Slovakia had narrowly beaten Andorra.
A goal in the second minute from Aiden McGeady set Ireland on their way. Soon after Robbie Keane added a second after another bad goalkeeping mistake from Macedonia. At times Ireland looked like world beaters knocking the ball around with ease and were in total control. Maybe this was what Trapattoni was trying to show us all along…..that was until normal service was resumed when just before half time Macedonia equalized.
This instantly brought back memories of the two qualifying games with Israel a few years back, when we shamefully surrendered a two goal lead twice under Brian Kerr. It wasn’t to be this time as Ireland dug deep. It didn’t have to be pretty, but at times Ireland’s wide men Duff and McGeady looked like they had enough fight to go another ninety minutes.
I believe three things were learned last night amid the battle of the Aviva. The first is that we have some fine talent coming through the ranks. The inexperienced players did a sterling job. The second is that regardless of the current climate of the club football of our senior players, they never shirked responsibility. Each one stood up to be counted. Lastly and most importantly, in my opinion Ireland have always had a world-class player on their hands. Last night he came of age. It looks like the move from Glasgow Celtic to Spartak Moscow has really agreed with Aiden McGeady. I just wish he’d have gone to Russia a little earlier!
Football Orphan: Ireland look to finally conquer Macedonia.
Later this evening Ireland take on Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium in a Group B qualifier for Euro 2012. In all my time following international football I’ve never witnessed the build up of such an important game to be met with such indifference by both the fans and the media.
Tonight’s game should give the nation real perspective on expectations of automatic qualification, or the usual torment of uncertainty. Ireland, Armenia and Slovakia sit just two points behind Russia on seven points, with all teams having played four games. The Macedonian’s are further back on four points but are not to be discounted.
Ireland have had trouble with past meetings, with the former Yugoslav Republic contributing to two failed qualifications in 1998 and 2000. One name stands out from their squad in particular this time around.Goran Pandev was a Champions League winner with Inter Milan last season. He was also on the score sheet as Inter knocked out last years runner up Bayern Munich last week.
In recent times I have been incredibly critical of how Giovanni Trapattoni operates as our national team coach. I hope after tonight’s final whistle blows I am eager to write tomorrow’s article for all the right reasons. There is no reason, even with all of the injury concerns over the past few weeks, why Ireland can’t re-invigorate our faith in our qualification hopes after a poor performance and result against Russia. With Armenia entertaining Russia earlier in the day, there’s no greater motivation than knowing if the earlier result goes in our favour we could top the table by the finish of play.
Football Orphan: I hope Trapattoni has a DVD collection the size of Blockbuster video.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has openly declared that he will not attend any games involving Irish players in the future. He instead would rather stay at home and watch DVD’s of the players to assemble his squad.
As the highest paid manager our national team has ever known, I can’t help feeling that we’re being cheated. There are talented Irish players nestled in the four corners of not only our country but all over the UK. Two examples that come to mind are Keith Fahey and Conor Sammon. Fahey was a class act playing in Inchicore with St Pats before moving on to Birmingham City. Sammon came to prominence with Kilmarnock before earning a move to Wigan Athletic. Does this mean the criteria for playing for Ireland is to be at a big club?
Well, with that in mind, how often do either St Pats or Killie get live coverage in Italy? Conversely, I’m sure that Manchester United get lots of attention but how often does Ireland squad regular Darron Gibson even appear for the Red Devils? There are a list of players playing first team football that I could mention that should be ahead of Keith Treacy of Preston or Paul Green of Derby County. Wes Hoolahan is having a superb season with Norwich, Steven Reid is also performing well at West Brom but retired from international football due to being continuously frozen out of the squad previously.
The Stephen Ireland situation has never been handled well, granted Trapattoni inherited that predicament but the Andy Reid blow out could, and should have been put to bed long ago. The truth is that it is Giovanni Trapattoni’s responsibility to assemble the best squad, select the best team and choose the tactics for qualifiers. This is something that is impossible to do without watching games involving Irish players in person.
Results have up to now been middle of the road. The tactics are negative with the emphasis on achieving an acceptable and safe result. Given the method of squad selection, I think it’s arrogant, lazy, clumsy and downright disrespectful to players and fans. The first eleven is likely to include Robbie Keane who has hardly kicked a ball all season instead of Shane Long who is on top form at club level with Reading. Darron Gibson instead of Keith Fahey who is fresh from a trophy win with Birmingham City. There is no doubt that Trapattoni has been a fine manager over the years, but I hope managing Ireland hasn’t put him out of his way too much.
Football Orphan 