Trap's Euro 2012 Players Ladder

[the bear]

I was looking at this (http://www.football365.com/f365-features/7155624/Football365-s-Famous-Euro-2012-Ladder/comments) article on f365 where it is trying to work out how important players are in the eyes of the england manager for 2012, so heres my list in the eyes of trap, for the rest of the qualifiers, possible playoffs and hopefully the tourno proper.

1. Richard Dunne - An absoloute colossus, one man wall, whatever way you say it he is crucial at the heart of our defence, for his leadership as well as defending abilities. Could be a blessing in disguise that he will miss Andorra where surely we can cope and not Armenia. Unreplaceable.

2. Shay Given - He's back on form and just as dedicated to the cause. Played a stormer through a niggling back strain in Russia. Experience is key in goals and Shay has it in spades, also with Westwood now warming the bench for club it's even more important to keep him fit.

3. Robbie Keane - He seems to attract hatred form irish fans, every striker will miss chances and Robbie is no different, but show me another irishman who will step up with goals in big matches again and again. he will be crucial to us qualifying, especially should we find ourselves in the playoffs.

4. Damian Duff - Opposite to Robbie, everyone loves Duffer. Scary to think that he will be gone soon. Lost the pace that made him so deadly in previous years he has evolved well to ensure his other attributes make him just as dangerous as ever. In a team of players scared of taking responsability duffer never shirks from looking for the ball.

5. Aidean Mcgeady - Improved no end since move to Russia, top quality player now who showed what he has added to his defensive side of his game in last match.

6. John O'Shea - Definite starter, but needs to step his game up now and become a leader in defence.

7. Kevin Doyle - Has waned a bit with the emergence of Long as a premiership force, coupled with poor form in last two games. Doyler's place is less certain than anytime in last five years.

8. Glenn Whelan - Continues to be Traps first choice cm despite everyone elses opinion.

9. Sean St. Ledger - Has been brilliant this campaign and pretty much everytime he has worn the green. certain starter.

10. Shane Long - Taking prem in his stride, the number 9 jersey is there for the taking as well

11. Keith Andrews - Much maligned andrews in the same boat as Whelan, the jersey is there to be taken if someone else can step up.

12. Kevin Kilbane - Nothing to suggest he isn't still first choice LB, only time will tell

13. Stephen Ward - Had his chances, did he do enough in traps eyes?

14. Stephen Hunt - Criminally underused, unlucky to have duff and mcgeady ahead of him. Needs to be utilised better

15. Darron Gibson - Will he ever make the step up, seemed to be ahead of Andrews, who knows now, needs a move.

16. Simon Cox - Has done well when given his chances.

17. Keith Fahey - In my opinion he is the ball player the midfield is crying out for, remans to be seen if trap trusts him for a more prominent role in the team.

18. Kieron Westwood - Number 2 keeper jersey is his own at the moment, won't be for long if he remains as unused sub every week.

19. Stephen Kelly - Traps mister dependable, Has been called upon on several big occasions and has always done just about enough. fair play to him.

20. Darren O'Dea - A strong performance in Moscow strengthens his reputation even more, i was'nt sure of him last year but have to admit he's done well.

21. James McCarthy - Undoubted talent, surely a matter of when rather than if, but that is just the question when??????

22. Liam Lawrence - Rose in to the team without doin much to deserve it, then dropped out of the team without doing much to deserve it, a trusted option.

23. Seamus Coleman - Needs gametime as fullback, that is the only place i could see him breaking into the team at present, hopefully he gets straight into form for toffees.

24. Kevin Foley - Good ball playing full back for wolves, had his chance and didn't take at FB or CM, i rate him but might be a while before he gets chance again

25. Andy Keogh - How he continues to get picked is beyond me.

26. Keith Treacy - Looks a decent prospect.

27. Ciaran Clark - Was being championed to go straight in at LB, got a chance , didn't take it. Will be a major part of team but maybe not this campaign.

28. Damian Delaney - He's done ok but hardly one for the future

29. Leon Best - If he can get goals for club will be hard to ignore

30. John Walters - Same as Best.

31. David Forde - 3rd keeper at present

32. Marc Wilson - Prospects suffered from missing friendlies, looks like has quality so bridges need to be built quickly.

33. Wes Hoolahan - Deserves a shot

34. David Meyler - Great prospect, hopefully will be fit and playing soon

35. Robbie Brady - From what i've seen of him looks the real deal, why not bring him into senior squad.

36. Paul Mcshane - Please not again Trap.

37. Shane Duffy - One for future, hopefully has good loan spell and breaks into everton team.

38. Anto Stokes - Other players have been forgiven for no shows, nothing to suggest stokes won't be , if he plays his way into contention, if , if?

39. Anto Pilkington - A prospect but well down list at present, a few good prem games could change that

40. Marc Tierney - LB ??

41. Mark O'Brien - Talented CB

42. Barry Maguire - Haven't heard much about him since he declared, presumably holland weren't banging down his door.

43. Joey O'Brien - Another chance for Joey at West Ham, Good Luck

44. Conor Clifford - Seems to have been on the verge of breaking through for an eternity without doing anything.

45. Joe Muphy - possible 3rd choice keeper.

46. Chris McCann - Good player hopefully he gets back on track after injury.

47. Connor Salmon - Needs games for wigan first of all

48. Darren Randolph

49. Brian Murphy

50. Cillian Sheridan - Don't even know where he is now, possibly back in Scotland

Without doubt i've forgotten someone

[Spudulika]

Sir Tony O'Reilly and his minions - without them Ireland doesn't exist, and the football team (and rugby team) are nobodies led by nothing. Okay, no more ranting.

Harte is gone, Andy Reid too, would have pushed David Meyler up a few spots but he's injured. Noel Hunt could be there.

[BonnieShels]

I was looking at this (http://www.football365.com/f365-features/7155624/Football365-s-Famous-Euro-2012-Ladder/comments) article on f365 where it is trying to work out how important players are in the eyes of the england manager for 2012, so heres my list in the eyes of trap, for the rest of the qualifiers, possible playoffs and hopefully the tourno proper.

1. Richard Dunne -...
...Without doubt i've forgotten someone

The one and only David Connolly.
Cheek of you.

[French Toasht]

The one and only David Connolly.
Cheek of you.


Actually was only thinking the other day that Connolly should be given a chance to proove himself in a friendly considering he's playing very well for a Southampton team that are at the top of the Championship.

[the bear]

The one and only David Connolly.
Cheek of you.

51. David Connolly
52. Clinton Morrisson
53. BonnieShels

[AlaskaFox]

Darren Randolph and Brian Murphy would definitely be above Harte and Reid.

[Fixer82]

51. Connolly

Playing his was back into Trap's thoughts with some explosive displays for Southampton! :)

[the bear]

Darren Randolph and Brian Murphy would definitely be above Harte and Reid.

agree , changed

[theworm2345]

51. Connolly

Playing his was back into Trap's thoughts with some explosive displays for Southampton! :)
We can only hope (and if he is in the reckoning, 51 my ass)

[Crosby87]

51. Marco Tardelli--Stop a yelling ata me

[pineapple stu]

Actually was only thinking the other day that Connolly should be given a chance to proove himself in a friendly considering he's playing very well for a Southampton team that are at the top of the Championship.
Second in the table, behind Brighton with another Irish player playing very well. :) And who maybe deserves inclusion somewhere ahead of BonnisShels?

[the bear]

gary dicker > bonnieshels ???

[BonnieShels]

Definitely.

I've not been the same since the lesbian incident in Moscow.

[the bear]

Definitely.

I've not been the same since the lesbian incident in Moscow.

what happened with the lesbian, did you try to gary dicker?

[paul_oshea]

Things just don't work out the way you want....i once had a bisexual lesbian pretty much in the nest...:(

[theworm2345]

Things just don't work out the way you want....i once had a bisexual lesbian pretty much in the nest...:(
I'm sorry, a what?

[BonnieShels]

All those years of metrosexuality are catching up with our Paul, doesn't know which way the girls are swinging these days.

[geysir]

I'm sorry, a what?
A bisexual lesbian?
That would be a heterosexual lesbian.
More rare than a bisexual monogamist.

[Crosby87]

This board is turning into Dan Savage's sex Q&A's (Shudders.)

[theworm2345]

A bisexual lesbian?
That would be a heterosexual lesbian.
More rare than a bisexual monogamist.
I don't know any but I'm sure there are plenty of bisexual monogamists...any once-married guy "on the down low" would I guess fall under this category. For a man, finding a female bisexual monogamist would be called "hitting the jackpot." However, how could anything, much less a lesbian, be both heterosexual and bisexual? Surely its either one or the other. I suppose it is possible it was a transvestite whose female parts liked only women while its male parts liked both?

EDIT: After consulting Urban Dictionary (which I should've done in the first place), a bisexual lesbian is "a bisexual girl who, even though she likes both, she prefers women." We will, of course, need to confirm with Paul that this was his intended meaning.

[the bear]

well im glad thats all cleared up.

supposing we qualify for the finals the way i see 1 to 20 in the list are certain for the squad, that leaves 3 spots with one presumably being a 3rd choice keeper.
the battle for the last 2 spots could be tough with players like coleman, lawrence, wilson, mccarthy, foley, mcshane, keogh, clark, best ,walters all competing, any one see it differently?

[lionelhutz]

I'm not sure Kilbane is a certainty to be picked anymore. Even though Ward didn't play well in recent games, I think Trap finally realises Kilbane's legs are gone. And I'd question Gibson's definite involvement in the squad also considering McCarthy seems to be back in Traps good books and he seems be a fan of Fahey aslo (maybe not in CM though).

[Crosby87]

We wouldn't be where we are without that late goal from Fahey vs I forget. In Traps eyes he is immortal. And justifiably so.

[third policeman]

I would still be inclined to consider Garvan as a potential addition to our squad. Undouted ability but has looked to be in a rut last couple of seasons. Getting picked and playing well for Palace at the moment. May not be the world beater we thoughtb he might ne, but is he better than or at a level with Andrews and Whelan? Most definitely!

[Wolfie]

Get Stephen Reid back in the squad and play him at right full.

John O'Shea moves to left full.

Dunne and St Ledger at Centre Half.

Done.

[BonnieShels]

Get Stephen Reid back in the squad and play him at right full.

John O'Shea moves to left full.

Dunne and St Ledger at Centre Half.

Done.

Easy Peasy... what's the next bit?

Actually thinking of that that entire post instantly made me think of these fellars...

http://southparkstudios.mtvnimages.com/shared/characters/non-human/underpants-gnomes.jpg

[the bear]

right we qualified now so how has the ladder changed in last 2 months, old positions in brackets

1 (1) Richard Dunne- Iron Curtain, great that he finally will get to star at major tournament
2 (3) Robbie Keane- More goals, more bad misses, more arm waving
3 (4) Damian Duff- Still the go to man
4 (2) Shay Given- A couple of errors show he is human after all
5 (5) Aidean Mcgeady- can be infuriating but a great player
6 (6) John O'shea- will be first choice RB and cover for practically everywhere else
7 (9) Sean St Ledger- remarkable form for ireland considering isn't a regular at leicester
8 (11) Keith Andrews- does the business in the big games
9 (8) Glenn Whelan- will always be in traps team
10 (7) Kevin Doyle- in danger of slipping down pecking order, with all striking options at present
11 (10) Shane Long- injuries came at bad time for him
12 (13) Stephen Ward- looks like he has #3 nailed on
13 (14) Stephen Hunt- will make a sub appearance in every match in polkraine
14 (17) Keith Fahey- moved ahead of Gibson for CM, cant see Trap putting him in ahead of the other pair
15 (19) Stephen Kelly- The next man into the back 4 for any position missing, with o'shea goin CB if its a CB missing
16 (30) Jon Walters- shot up the rankings after 2 great performances
17 (16) Simon Cox- will he bring 5 strikers if not its a toss up between Cox/Walters
18 (18) Kieron Westwood- 2nd keeper
19 (15) Darron Gibson- place under threat
20 (20) Darren O'Dea- CB cover
21 (21) James Mccarthy- will get a chance to move further up the ranking in upcoming friendlies
22 (24) Kevin Foley- this spot could go any way really
23 (31) David Forde- 3rd keeper shoe in, showed up at the right time

thats 3 keepers, 7 defenders, 8 midfielders and 5 strikers, so who's left

24 (23) Seamus Coleman- will get a chance to prove he's worth a place in friendlies
25 (34) David Meyler- back playing and bound to be given a chance
26 (22) Liam Lawrence- I reckon he'll miss out here
27 (29) Leon Best- he'll hardly bring 6 strikers so best hope for leon is an injury to one of the other 5
28 (12) Kevin Kilbane- down like a led baloon, he'll probably go in a background role
29 (26) Keith Tracey- can't see him making it
30 (27) Ciaran Clark- would be harsh on O'dea if he replaced him, cant see it happening now
31 (25) Andy Keogh- can't see him making the cut even as a trap favourite
32 (35) Robbie Brady- great form for under 21's . this fella will get a chance and if he does he'll take it, my darkhorse
33 (28) Damian Delaney- no
34 (32) Marc Wilson- could get a chance in a friendly and perform
35 (33) Wes Hoolahan- good enough but will he get a shot
36 (36) Paul Mcshane- hope not
37 (39) Anto Pilkington- if he declares could be in with a shout
38 (45) Joe Murphy- if keeper gets injured

Can't see anyone else getting in at the moment but a lot can change in 7 months

[TrapAPony]

^ Missing Greg Cunningham. Trapattoni seemed to be a fan of his before he got injured.

[Murfinator]

I could very easily see Keogh travelling actually, Longs too high as well. I do reckon Longs place is under threat. Could see Trap bringing Keane and Cox for 10 and two of Doyle, Long and Walters for 9 with Keogh as a double wing/striker backup.

Still don't think he trusts Fahey in the centre, don't share your optimism that Meyler will even get a peak at Sunderland let alone Ireland but otherwise fair.

[the bear]

walters could also be considered a double wing striker option. i think long will defo go he was very unlucky to have gotten these injuries , if he remained fit he could easily have been established first choice at 9 now. regarding meyler he doesn't need to get playing for sunderland for trap to give him a chance as we have seen with others like cunningham, who your right trapapony ,he could be considered with the outside chances

[Sullivinho]

Very good analysis bear, found myself agreeing with the vast majority of it. Provided he gets enough minutes with Sunderland, I can definitely see Meyler impressing enough to earn a look at, as he did before that injury. I'd imagine Simon Cox will be feeling a tad insecure given his own lack of game time at West Brom. If it did come down to a choice between himself and Walters, it might be noted that the latter is a regular. Although I read somewhere today that Trap has form in taking five forwards to a tournament.

[Charlie Darwin]

I could very easily see Keogh travelling actually, Longs too high as well. I do reckon Longs place is under threat. Could see Trap bringing Keane and Cox for 10 and two of Doyle, Long and Walters for 9 with Keogh as a double wing/striker backup.

Still don't think he trusts Fahey in the centre, don't share your optimism that Meyler will even get a peak at Sunderland let alone Ireland but otherwise fair.
Completely disagree. Bruce has been like an excited child before Christmas the way he's talked about Meyler the past couple of months. He rates him immensely.

[theworm2345]

Does anyone believe club form will give certain players (Best, Meyler, McCarthy, Coleman, Brady, etc.) a chance to get on the plane? I figure Trap is way too set in his ways to change anything even if someone like Best were to be top of the Premier League scoring charts. I'd knock that methodology but its hard to after qualifying.

[Colbert Report]

I heard Trap on OTB today saying that he'll bring four strikers and Kilbane will not be in his plans unless there's major injuries and he has no choice. Stunning really. I reckon Meyler will be on the squad in place of Gibson, but that's only because I was hugely impressed with him before his injury problems, who knows if he'll come back the same player? I'd love him to go on and become our next great player.

[toffeeforever]

sadly its unlikely those top 20 players will all make it as there are always a few injuries and some of those players arent exactly spring chickens anymore. fingers crossed. Really looking forward to the next friendlies as will get a real insight into where traps mind is at. if you dont make the squad for a friendly people can forget about it.

brillant article in independent on players here

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/climbing-stairway-to-heaven-2933595.html

[the bear]

Revised edition after czech match, waste of a chance to experiment a bit more, but sures thats trap

1 (1) Richard Dunne- Czezh goal showed how we miss his organisation
2 (2) Robbie Keane- Some great touches, should of scored
3 (3) Damian Duff- Defo starter
4 (4) Shay Given- Did nothing really
5 (5) Aidean Mcgeady- lively opening, faded out
6 (8) Keith Andrews- great goalscoring club form, played more on the front foot against czech
7 (6) John O'shea- MOTM somehow, i would of given to andrews
8 (7) Sean St Ledger- in leicester team now, and defo starter for us
9 (9) Glenn Whelan- will always be in traps team
10 (10) Kevin Doyle- arguable if he should be considered first choice anymore
11 (11) Shane Long- didn't do much for his cause last night, fit?
12 (12) Stephen Ward- looks like he has #3 nailed on, like it or not
13 (20) Darren O'Dea- back up CB
14 (16) Jon Walters- looks the ideal target man for our system
15 (17) Simon Cox- great finish shows hes worth having around
16 (19) Darron Gibson- his move to everton and first team football should help him cement a place
17 (15) Stephen Kelly- shoe in if fit
18 (14) Keith Fahey- back behind darron in pecking order might lose out
19 (18) Kieron Westwood- 2nd keeper
20 (13) Stephen Hunt- got a run and did nothing, mccleans emergence a big worry for him
21 (NA) Paul Green- back from the dead to usurp mccarthy, whats going on?
22 (22) Kevin Foley- 7th defender spot up for grabs, could it be coleman?
23 (23) David Forde- 3rd keeper shoe in, showed up at the right time

thats 3 keepers, 7 defenders, 8 midfielders and 5 strikers, so who's left

24 (21) James Mccarthy- green seems to be ahead of him now??????????????
25 (NA) James Mcclean- bolt outta nowhere, has to go imo
26 (24) Seamus Coleman- no game time, hard to know where traps see's him fitting in
27 (NA) Shane Duffy- one for future could be the 7th defender in squad if lucky
28 (26) Liam Lawrence- last seen approaching glue factory
29 (27) Leon Best- he'll hardly bring 6 strikers so best hope for leon is an injury to one of the other 5
30 (30) Ciaran Clark- ships sailed, unlucky he was injured for this game

everyone else - gone from list

[jbyrne]

i think hunt played himself out of the final squad last night. used to think he offered something off the bench and i like his attitude but last night he was pure dreadful.
McClean to go instead of him. coleman and mccarthy will have to rely on injuries to others to make it i feel. I thought Green did ok last night when he came on. he is not as bad as people make out

[Murfinator]

Green wasn't "back from the dead", he shipped an injury in April 2011 that kept him out until December 2011. He's only now getting his fitness up. He was never actually behind James McCarthy so why would it be assumed he'd fall behind him due to injury when James has done nothing of worth in the meanwhile?

[Crosby87]

Cox is definitely in Trap's side after sticking it in yesterday. No pun intended.

[Murfinator]

i think hunt played himself out of the final squad last night.

You should consider a career in stand up comedy with lines like that. Shockingly, and this may be a real bombshell but I don't think after being a regularly featured player in Traps squad throughout the qualifying campaign he's going to ditch him because he didn't have a great night in a meaningless friendly.

[jbyrne]

You should consider a career in stand up comedy with lines like that. Shockingly, and this may be a real bombshell but I don't think after being a regularly featured player in Traps squad throughout the qualifying campaign he's going to ditch him because he didn't have a great night in a meaningless friendly.

well, trap has left out other regulars recently. mc shane and kilbane (injured but also left out of squads when he was fit) for examples.
when has hunt last played well for us? he used to contribute something but not anymore

[the bear]

Green wasn't "back from the dead", he shipped an injury in April 2011 that kept him out until December 2011. He's only now getting his fitness up. He was never actually behind James McCarthy so why would it be assumed he'd fall behind him due to injury when James has done nothing of worth in the meanwhile?

because he wasn't in the original swuad that james was in. therefore james was picked ahead of him

[AlaskaFox]

Revised edition after czech match, waste of a chance to experiment a bit more, but sures thats trap

1 (1) Richard Dunne- Czezh goal showed how we miss his organisation
2 (2) Robbie Keane- Some great touches, should of scored
3 (3) Damian Duff- Defo starter
4 (4) Shay Given- Did nothing really
5 (5) Aidean Mcgeady- lively opening, faded out
6 (8) Keith Andrews- great goalscoring club form, played more on the front foot against czech
7 (6) John O'shea- MOTM somehow, i would of given to andrews
8 (7) Sean St Ledger- in leicester team now, and defo starter for us
9 (9) Glenn Whelan- will always be in traps team
10 (10) Kevin Doyle- arguable if he should be considered first choice anymore
11 (11) Shane Long- didn't do much for his cause last night, fit?
12 (12) Stephen Ward- looks like he has #3 nailed on, like it or not
13 (20) Darren O'Dea- back up CB
14 (16) Jon Walters- looks the ideal target man for our system
15 (17) Simon Cox- great finish shows hes worth having around
16 (19) Darron Gibson- his move to everton and first team football should help him cement a place
17 (15) Stephen Kelly- shoe in if fit
18 (14) Keith Fahey- back behind darron in pecking order might lose out
19 (18) Kieron Westwood- 2nd keeper
20 (13) Stephen Hunt- got a run and did nothing, mccleans emergence a big worry for him
21 (NA) Paul Green- back from the dead to usurp mccarthy, whats going on?
22 (22) Kevin Foley- 7th defender spot up for grabs, could it be coleman?
23 (23) David Forde- 3rd keeper shoe in, showed up at the right time

thats 3 keepers, 7 defenders, 8 midfielders and 5 strikers, so who's left

24 (21) James Mccarthy- green seems to be ahead of him now??????????????
25 (NA) James Mcclean- bolt outta nowhere, has to go imo
26 (24) Seamus Coleman- no game time, hard to know where traps see's him fitting in
27 (NA) Shane Duffy- one for future could be the 7th defender in squad if lucky
28 (26) Liam Lawrence- last seen approaching glue factory
29 (27) Leon Best- he'll hardly bring 6 strikers so best hope for leon is an injury to one of the other 5
30 (30) Ciaran Clark- ships sailed, unlucky he was injured for this game

everyone else - gone from list

Nice list, Pretty similar to my own weekly one:
http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2012/03/01/2939029/the-trapattoni-index-irish-players-in-the-running-for-a-place-in-

Which has Paul Green in the 23 aswell. :(

[geysir]

Wasn't Green was called in after it was accepted that Gibson was out?
Unless Trap goes down to the crossroad and sells his soul for a decent midfielder, Fahey will continue to be our only player who has technique on the ball in the centre..

Whelan, Andrews, Gibson, Fahey, Duff and McGeady, those 6 are certainties.
Hunt was part of the qual campaign, he's in 7th place, but (hopefully) not nailed yet.

Lawrence and Keogh are out, Foley is regarded as a right back
That leaves McCarthy, Green, Coleman and McClean to play musical chairs for one or possibly two seats.

O'Shea will be used at RB, unless both St.Ledger and Dunne are injured.

[the bear]

Nice list, Pretty similar to my own weekly one:
http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2012/03/01/2939029/the-trapattoni-index-irish-players-in-the-running-for-a-place-in-

Which has Paul Green in the 23 aswell. :(

both our 23's are identical, with the ranking very similiar aswell, have to give it to you on the presentation side though;)

a man who knows and knows he knows is a wise man, follow him

[the bear]

Wasn't Green was called in after it was accepted that Gibson was out?


exactly but mccarthy was in the squad already at that stage so therefore picked ahead of green.

in all likelyhood whichever one goes won't feature much. but for the future of irish football, i would like to see mccarthy at least gain the experience even if not the game time.

[geysir]

My point would be that McCarthy was selected in this squad, not with the Euros in mind but for the next campaign. In the pecking order now/current style of play/maturity - Green is ahead of McCarthy, therefore when Gibson was pulled out, Trap chose to call Green up and use him in a game where our centre midfield was porous and disjointed.

[Charlie Darwin]

If my team was being played around in midfield and my players couldn't get near the ball, I'd choose Green over McCarthy too. If we had possession but our problem was we weren't making anything of it, I'd bring in McCarthy. Clearly last night we were in the former situation.

[the bear]

My point would be that McCarthy was selected in this squad, not with the Euros in mind but for the next campaign. In the pecking order now/current style of play/maturity - Green is ahead of McCarthy, therefore when Gibson was pulled out, Trap chose to call Green up and use him in a game where our centre midfield was porous and disjointed.

no offence geysir but your explanation there makes even less sense to me than the decision not to give mccarthy a game

[Irwin3]

If my team was being played around in midfield and my players couldn't get near the ball, I'd choose Green over McCarthy too. If we had possession but our problem was we weren't making anything of it, I'd bring in McCarthy. Clearly last night we were in the former situation.

Still McCarthy for me. It's not like he's a shrieking violet. To play in the premier league you have to be able to do a bit of everything. This season he has won more tackles per game than Whelan (can't see stats for Green or Andrews because they haven't been playing in the PL). Green gives the impression that he is doing something when he occasionally does his McShane Tasmanian Devil impression which is more likely to concede a free than to win the ball back.

Obviously Trap agrees with you though on this point and he probably loves Green 'mentality' too.