Euro 2012 Squad Discussion

[Stuttgart88]

I guess it wouldn't be an Irish tournament venture without some personal issue taking centre stage.

[Junior]

At the end of Soccer Saturday on RTÉ this evening Darragh Moloney turned attention to an article in the Daily Mail tomorrow. From what I picked up the article is carrying direct quotes from Trap to the effect that McClean is "90-99%" certain to be in the squad for the Euro's. The article also states that there will be 5 strikers (Doyle, Walters, Keane, Long and Cox, presumably) and 4 wingers and 4 central players.

Keith Fahey could be out of the Euro's with a recurrent groin problem, which is a real pity for the guy given how his career has gone so far. Anyway, that would leave McClean, Hunt, Duff and McGeady as Trap's 4 wingers of choice.

Now, if Fahey does prove himself fit then Trap is left with a conundrum. In Fahey's absence the 4 wingers would pick themselves, regardless of which flank they play on regularly. However, if Fahey was fit then Trap would have to select 4 from 2 predominantly right-sided midfielders for Ireland in McGeady and Fahey, while the left-sided wingers would be McClean, Hunt and Duff. I've seen Hunt to fill in on the right for Ireland and Roy Hodgson played Duff on the right for Fulham but if I'm going on the basis of Trap's past selection. Given that McGeady and Duff are the staples of an Irish squad under Trapattoni, competition for the other 2 spots would be strong. Issue being that Fahey would be the only right-sided player of the 3 and, henceforth, likely to be picked. So then, we're left with the McClean versus Hunt debate as we've consistently been having. If these quotes are accurate then McClean is likely to win out, or so it would seem. That is, unless Trap is "90-99%" certain that Fahey will miss the Euro's which would be like a pre-emptive Neurofen tablet, getting to the source of selection headaches before they even happen.

That is until Trapattoni has to choose his 4 centre midfielders. This looks a straight-forward decision, with Andrews and Whelan having performed well under Trapattoni and Gibson and James McCarthy in fine Premier League form. Were we not so familiar with Trap's methods then we could expect any combination from the group to start. But accustomed as we are to Trap's ways that the name Paul Green must also be factored into this equation. I would hazard a guess that Andrews, Whelan and Gibson are the three most certain of their places on the plane. I reserve some doubt as to whether Trap will make the right call and bring James McCarthy, of resurgent Wigan fame, rather than the championship level Green.

Good post, Duff is still playing on the right for Fulham under Jol (though no question we would want him on the Left). McGeady played both left and right for Celtic (not sure how he has featured for Spartak, mainly on the right I expect).We are lucky in that we have some flexibility with our wide players being comfortable in switching wings.

[paul_oshea]

Hmmm that has me wondering...Mcclean taking the position of someone, has to be a midfielder or winger in a like for like. Who would be confident enough of being selected to speak with Trapatoni to say he won't be going?(Surely not Hunt, I know he is a bit of a header but surely he knows with the way his season has gone that he cant be sure of a place on the plane?) Might be nothing, but as stutts said wouldn't be an irish tournament venture without some personal issue taking centre stage. I gather Mcgeady is raring to go as I can't imagine duff not going, even if say it was something related to his marriage.

[geysir]

I gusess it wouldn't be an Irish tournament venture without some personal issue taking centre stage.

Hard to tell what at this point. Trap's voice would naturally drop to a 'personally tragic' tone if he was hinting at a player not being able to make it.

[Olé Olé]

Nothing to do with Trap, Green is a free agent now and this is his opportunity to get a decent pension. It has been understood for a while I think, that Derby were no going to be able to offer him an acceptable contract.

It has shades of Gary Breen being courted by Inter Milan after 2002.

Maybe Juventus will come in for Green? Ah, that's a bit far-fetched, maybe only someone like Napoli!

[elroy]

From the papers yday, it appears that Trap will not ignore McClean and will (probably rightly at this stage) bring him to the Euros.

I am far less confident re McCarthy. Trap doesnt seem to have warmed to him and in reality only playing him for a few mins against Macedonia due to FAI pressure.

He did play a full game or certainly a large part of the friendly against Uruguay, I think. But from what I can recall, it was no more than just ok that night. Based on his recent form, I think he has to be our third/fourth CM, with Andrews, Whelan and Gibson ahead of him, but I suspect Trap wont think the same.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm a firm believer in living for the now rather than the future, but if it really is a marginal call (which I don't think it is personally) between Green and McCarthy then surely he has to take McCarthy. McCarthy is bound to become more integral as the WC14 campaign develops and what better way to help him acclimatise to the system than by bringing him on tour for a month? Failing to do so risks alienating the player, though of course you'd hope he'd be mature enough to get over it.

[drummerboy]

Gibson seems to be injured a lot lately. Wonder if he need an operation or something during the summer?

[paul_oshea]

to be honest id be happy enough gibson missing out and mccarthy getting his place, with mcclean coming also.

It wouldn't surprise me to hear gibson say he didnt want to come. He seems a bit aloof the lad sometimes.

[Sullivinho]

Couple of quotes attributed to Trap here (http://www.irishcentral.com/sport/James-McClean-on-verge-of-sensational-Euro-2012-call-up-149415355.html) that I've not seen anywhere else yet:



Trapattoni will name his squad in Dublin on Monday week but warned Wigan’s James McCarthy:

“He is like some others, he must wait.”

Stephen Ireland may also have to await his international return despite recent offers to make his peace with the Irish boss.
Trap added:

“Two years I spoke with him in Birmingham. I chose another team. After the Europeans, we have a long list of young players like McCarthy. What do we do, leave these players out to make a place for him?”

McCarthy: one for the future / Ireland: one for the past?

[Irwin3]

to be honest id be happy enough gibson missing out and mccarthy getting his place, with mcclean coming also.

It wouldn't surprise me to hear gibson say he didnt want to come. He seems a bit aloof the lad sometimes.

Yeh. It's not like he's had to put up with constant abuse just to play for his country or anything. I can see him telling trap to shove it as he's got disneyland booked...

[KK77]

Heard it's Fahey.

[Scooby Doo]

Heard it's Fahey.
Where?

[KK77]

Where?

A fella i work with this morning told me he was told he was out but it was due to the injury so i suppose doesn’t sound like a personal reason.

[geysir]

The 'personal reason' idea has really gathered momentum.
There's only one person who can interpret the subtleties behind Trap's 'crypticity' and that's not Malone.

[Fixer82]

Harsh if Fahey's left out, for any reason other than injury, having scored the goal that set us on the road to Poland/Ukraine. He has never let us down in the green and is very reliable. I'd love to see him on the plane

[Olé Olé]

The 'personal reason' idea has really gathered momentum.
There's only one person who can interpret the subtleties behind Trap's 'crypticity' and that's not Malone.

Exactly. Malone's interpretation of a non-insinuation has really grown legs, as would be expected when a major broadsheet draws such conclusions. Were the Sun or Mirror to have sensationalized those comments then I expect that the more informed footballing public would have ignored it, but the fact that it's an Irish Times journo, regardless of which one, that is pushing the 'personal reason' idea it does assume a small bit of credibility.

Malone could easily have inside information that he is prohibited from disclosing in the article and neglected to refer to in the article also, in which case next week his story will be justified. If the story is down to an injury then he has a small bit of egg on his face.

I think the most likely player Trap is referring as being a doubt for the Euro's (for one reason or another) is Fahey, I'm afraid to say. He's the one missing from club action most of late, apart from Hunt. And it's hardly Hunt on the basis of how Trap has spoken of him. I'm only speculating here, but that seems to be all that can be done.

[geysir]

Malone could easily have inside information that he is prohibited from disclosing in the article and neglected to refer to in the article also, in which case next week his story will be justified. If the story is down to an injury then he has a small bit of egg on his face.
I don't mind what Malone wrote. Regardless of what transpires, he deserves no egg. He, like us here, would have an element of desperation to get a hint of what Trap was thinking re the tail enders in the squad
The 'personal reason' might be a stretch or it might be a goer. Malone is just speculating as to what Trap was thinking and mentioned the 'personal reasons' as one of a few worrying prospects.
I think we call allow ourselves to be worried.

[Stuttgart88]

More rumour and speculation from Dan McDonnell (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/euro-2012/irish-news/will-one-of-these-players-miss-out-on-euro-2012-3096453.html)

Manager Giovanni Trapattoni threw a curveball into proceedings on Saturday when he suggested that an established squad member had an issue that could prevent them from being involved in the finals. Trapattoni had earlier indicated that the reason why McClean is in with a better chance of making the plane would soon become clear.

It's not uncommon for the Italian's comments to get lost in translation, but there is awareness in FAI circles that someone's travel plans are in doubt, and not necessarily because of a straightforward injury issue.

FAI chief executive John Delaney yesterday admitted that he knew of a development, but said it was an issue for management. When asked to confirm that it was a fitness problem, he chose to remain tight-lipped. "I'd prefer not to comment," he said. "That's for the manager. He brought me across that (an issue) on Saturday morning."

[Fixer82]

I heard Stephen Ward, ages ago, booked a caravan in Courtown for June and his moth will kill him if he's not there to play crazy golf in Pirate's Cove with her.

[Eminence Grise]

I heard Stephen Ward, ages ago, booked a caravan in Courtown for June and his moth will kill him if he's not there to play crazy golf in Pirate's Cove with her.

Got butterflies in my tummy reading that...

Anyway, I heard it's Duff - apparently he's been mispronouncing team mates' names all season and has booked elocution lessons in dʒun and dʒəˈlaɪ.
http://foot.ie/threads/5965-Damien-Duff?p=1592152&viewfull=1#post1592152

[Adrianovic]

It could well be Fahey and be something as innocent as an injury keeping him out.

Birmingham play the first leg of their play-off against Blackpool in a couple of days and the Birmingham Mail reported Fahey is close to fitness as recently as a couple of days ago.

Chris Hughton may well want to keep up the mystery in the fog of war before an important fixture, but let Trap know on the quiet. Trap could be being mysterious with the personal reason line because it doesn't let the cat out of the bag.

This is possibly the most speculative post I have ever made on any forum, anywhere.

[Kingdom]

It is not Fahey.

[geysir]

Gibson isn't on the team or the bench for Everton tonight.
There isn't any reference to that on the BBC team news.

Is this mysterious?

[Charlie Darwin]

He picked up an injury on Saturday, no? No explanation of why but he played until half time so it's probably not too serious.

[elroy]

Is there any chance this is another lost in translation moment with Trap?? I suppose not given that Delaney has commented on the matter as well.

[Carrigaline]

I wonder is Seamus Coleman the player in question?

Since the defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup which he was responsible for, Coleman has went off the radar completely.

[Charlie Darwin]

He was on the bench tonight.

[geysir]

Is there any chance this is another lost in translation moment with Trap?? I suppose not given that Delaney has commented on the matter as well.

There's something up for sure, it's just a question of what.
ATM, I'd go more for O'Donnell's guess that there's a player mulling over a decision to have an operation over the summer. That's the 'personal decision', whether to have it or not.
It's not Duff, McGeady or Hunt.
Possibly Trap was selecting Fahey to cover the wide midfield. The player in question is probably a central midfielder, if he drops out will mean Fahey will be tied up in CM and Trap will bring in McClean to fill the wide position.

Could be Gibson or it could be Green :)

[elroy]

There's something up for sure, it's just a question of what.
ATM, I'd go more for O'Donnell's guess that there's a player mulling over a decision to have an operation over the summer. That's the 'personal decision', whether to have it or not.
It's not Duff, McGeady or Hunt.
Possibly Trap was selecting Fahey to cover the wide midfield. The player in question is probably a central midfielder, if he drops out will mean Fahey will be tied up in CM and Trap will bring in McClean to fill the wide position.

Could be Gibson or it could be Green :)

You would imagine if it is a player who needs an operation, then surely it has to be a squad player who is most unlikely to see game time at the Euros.

That could be fahey but I would be surprised if it was. Others that come to mind would be foley, green, one of the reserve keepers....

[geysir]

It could be but Trap was interpreted as referring to McClean being in a stronger position to make the squad as a consequence of that player pulling out.

[paul_oshea]

Elroy agree its most likely someone who wont see much game time. But i thought it was someone who enabled mcclean to claim one of the spots so more than likely a midfielder. Has coleman a niggling injury?

[backstothewall]

Squad eve. I wonder if Trap has made his mind up yet, or if he's still mulling over a couple of spots?

[IsMiseSean]

I really hope Paul Green doesn't get in. Harsh I know...

[Charlie Darwin]

McGeady has confirmed that he's not the player pulling out and Birmingham have said Fahey may be fit for Wednesday's playoff second leg. It also appears Hunt isn't the player in question.

[Stuttgart88]

Well, we'll know tomorrow. My guess is Jon Walters for whatever reason. "Personal reasons" is likely to mean family related issues rather than "I think the goalies should play in the 5 a sides and if not I'm going home to walk my dog" related.

[geysir]

If there's a player pulling out, my penny is on Gibson.

[Crosby87]

I cant wait for this to start. And this clip always gets the juices flowing. It's worth watching again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImhI05m3LTs&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImhI05m3LTs&feature=related)

[TrapAPony]

I really hope Paul Green doesn't get in. Harsh I know...

It wouldn't be harsh, it would be fantastic. He is not better than McCarthy, Whelan, Andrews, Gibson, Fahey, Clark etc and really should not be within an asses roar of the squad

[Charlie Darwin]

Paul Rowan's Sunday Times preview predicts Green making the squad, with Fahey and McCarthy omitted. Then again, it's Paul Rowan and he also claims Derby are letting Green go...

[DannyInvincible]

If there's a player pulling out, my penny is on Gibson.

Why you reckon Gibson might be unwilling to travel?

[Charlie Darwin]

Gibson's daughter has had serious health problems over the past couple of years. He's had to miss games before to be with her in the hospital.

[Irwin3]

Gibson's daughter has had serious health problems over the past couple of years. He's had to miss games before to be with her in the hospital.

Was it just the Norway game back in 2010 that he missed over that?

http://www.herald.ie/news/trap-under-fire-for-gibson-jibe-over-ill-daughter-2427655.html

She looked fine when Utd won the title year. Does she have a long-term illness or is it all cleared up now?

[Charlie Darwin]

I think I may have exaggerated that one in my head. I was sure she had been ill for quite a will but she was definitely in hospital.

[IsMiseSean]

Well, we'll know tomorrow. My guess is Jon Walters for whatever reason. "Personal reasons" is likely to mean family related issues rather than "I think the goalies should play in the 5 a sides and if not I'm going home to walk my dog" related.

If Jon Walters has a sick child over the last few months why is he still playing for Stoke when they've had nothing to play for in the EPL run-in?

[DannyInvincible]

Here's me prediction for tomorrow:

Given
Westwood
Forde

Ward
St. Ledger
Dunne
O'Shea
O'Dea
Foley
Kelly

Whelan
Andrews
McGeady
Duff
Gibson
McClean (if Fahey is indeed the player unable to travel)
Hunt
Green

Keane
Doyle
Walters
Cox
Long

I don't see a place for Coleman, who's had a poor season. Not entirely sure what Trap makes of him anyway. Don't see a place for McCarthy either, unfortunately. I think Trap will give Green the nod ahead of him. Bringing Green on over McCarthy against the Czechs is indicative of the current pecking order. McCarthy and Coleman will be on standby along with Clark and Duffy; maybe Henderson, Wilson, McShane, Best, Keogh and/or Treacy too.

[Stuttgart88]

He can still live at home when playing in England. Playing in the Euros means being away from home for 3/4 weeks min. That applies to whoever it might be.

[Crosby87]

I agree but I would switch Cox/Long at the end.

[Irish_Praha]

What about Andy Reid? Maybe he's the player who has the personal problems and will miss out?

[DannyInvincible]

I agree but I would switch Cox/Long at the end.

Ha, just wrote the names out; not necessarily indicative of what I think the striking pecking order is.