James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

[BonnieShels]

Yeah, but there are two Ulsters.
The real one and the imagined one.

Ulster is a state of mind?

[Doire Abu]

Ulster is a state of mind?

Yeah, a split personality

[Olé Olé]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16555513.stm

This was on RTE news this evening. Trap basically said it's only fair that the players that obtained qualification for the Euro's be in the squad for the Euro's.

[cavan_fan]

This is my favourite:
Keen to bolster the Northern Ireland squad when he officially starts work on February 1st, O’Neill will attempt to stop other Ulster born players defecting to the South
.

Personally I don't think we should stop there. Ban all Breffni scroungers, Oriel muppets, Tyrconnell muckaghs and those b*stards in the Fews.

What about Cillian Sheridan, actually hed probably make the Norn team

[DannyInvincible]

Just saw that myself. I suppose it's fair enough to remain loyal to the players who got us there in the interests of squad harmony, consistency, team morale and all that, save in the case of injury or whatever.

Gary McAllister reckons:

James McClean won't make the Euros and is still an NI player. He'd still be welcome to represent OWC in my book.

Could well be a lost cause, but are we privy to all that may go on in the background? Many wrote Shane Ferguson off.

McClean's comments to the media recently, however, suggest he has no plans on returning to the NI fold, so I think McAllister is just trying to stir the pot with pointless speculation there.

[DannyInvincible]

What about Cillian Sheridan, actually hed probably make the Norn team

Ah yes, Sheridan had slipped my mind.

[French Toasht]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16555513.stm

This was on RTE news this evening. Trap basically said it's only fair that the players that obtained qualification for the Euro's be in the squad for the Euro's.

I tend to agree with this in principle but it should not be a hard and fast rule by any means. By accident of birth McLean appears to have been too young to get involved in the qualification campaign just gone, but that should not preclude him from earning a place on the plane to Poland if he deserves that on merit. There have been several peripheral players in the squads throughout the qualification campaign, that should by no means have their place copper fastened to the exclusion of McLean if his performances are superior.

That said McLean has not nearly proved himself as a Premier League player. I have not wanted to engage in the hype that has surrounded his FOUR appearances but do think the lad should be judged at the end of the season. If his credentials stack up at that stage, that should warrant a place in the Irish squad.

Statistically there are going to be at least 3 or 4 established Irish players who will miss the Euros through injury, an outsider will emerge.

[DannyInvincible]

That said McLean has not nearly proved himself as a Premier League player. I have not wanted to engage in the hype that has surrounded his FOUR appearances

Ah c'mon, there's room for one more...

[French Toasht]

Just saw that myself. I suppose it's fair enough to remain loyal to the players who got us there in the interests of squad harmony, consistency, team morale and all that, save in the case of injury or whatever.

Footballers are big enough and well paid enough to know that football is a results business and that form at any given time is crucial to your prospects of selection. Loyalty is nice, but it should not be blind. See Kev Kilbane scenario.

By the time we take on Croatia in June it will have been almost 8 months since the squad will have played any game of consequence. To select players purely on the basis of how they played in matches in the preceding years is a resolutely close minded and uninformed selection. We know there won't be wholesale changes but by no means should he close the door on players who show form in the next 6 months. Players are grown men, so being selected or left out of squads should not affect harmony or morale. As regards consistency, new players don't have to be geniuses to figure out how to play in the Trap's straight jacket style formation.

My philosophy is, if you are good enough, you should play. Simplistic? Yes. Effective? Yes.

[SwanVsDalton]

To select players purely on the basis of how they played in matches in the preceding years is a resolutely close minded and uninformed selection. We know there won't be wholesale changes but by no means should he close the door on players who show form in the next 6 months. Players are grown men, so being selected or left out of squads should not affect harmony or morale. As regards consistency, new players don't have to be geniuses to figure out how to play in the Trap's straight jacket style formation.

My philosophy is, if you are good enough, you should play. Simplistic? Yes. Effective? Yes.

Sure but I don't think that philosophy is enough to overcome the inherent problems highlighted by Danny (consistency, harmony, morale). These games didn't happen years ago, it was only three months ago they qualified and there's a friendly in a month. By and large I wouldn't suggest a close-door policy, but I'd mostly say stick with the players who got you this far.

Trap's tactics, philosophy and policy are all 100% based around consistency and discipline - while new players wouldn't need to be geniuses to figure it out, the entire 11 need to be completely clued in and on each other's wavelength for the system to work in any way. Courting disharmony, by leaving out a well liked member of the previous squad, could be disastrous.

The Kilbane example is a good one, but pretty exceptional considering he was never more than a make-shift (albeit fairly decent) left-back solution. His fall down the leagues meant his replacement was fairly inevitable. Hard to say that about anyone else in the current squad imo.

My view - it's up to McClean or Hoolahan to make themselves impossible ignore. If McClean bangs in 20 goals between now and June, maybe...but it'd have to be some run of form for anyone to force their way in (notwithstanding injuries or the two-three positions genuinely up for grabs).

[DannyInvincible]

Footballers are big enough and well paid enough to know that football is a results business and that form at any given time is crucial to your prospects of selection. Loyalty is nice, but it should not be blind. See Kev Kilbane scenario.

By the time we take on Croatia in June it will have been almost 8 months since the squad will have played any game of consequence. To select players purely on the basis of how they played in matches in the preceding years is a resolutely close minded and uninformed selection. We know there won't be wholesale changes but by no means should he close the door on players who show form in the next 6 months. Players are grown men, so being selected or left out of squads should not affect harmony or morale. As regards consistency, new players don't have to be geniuses to figure out how to play in the Trap's straight jacket style formation.

My philosophy is, if you are good enough, you should play. Simplistic? Yes. Effective? Yes.

What you say is correct. A healthy balance and sensible approach.

[Olé Olé]

One must also take into account factors such as team morale and international experience. So, if Duff plays less games than McClean for the remainder of this season then does that mean he should go on merit? Trap could argue Duff is an influential member of the squad and dropping him would be detrimental towards morale, given the extent and length of his career in the green jersey. I'm sure arguments could be made for the other left-sided midfield players; McGeady and Hunt. McGeady being, arguably, a proven and quality international winger during Trap's time and Hunt's work rate off the bench and possibly team morale. I'm sure Trap takes all these issues into account.

Fair enough McClean may or may not go on to overshadow the likes of Duff and Hunt this season. But, that pair are experienced at this level whereas McClean has played no senior competitive internationals.

[Paddy Garcia]

If Hunt continues to deliver poor performances for Wolves & McClean continues to impress - and recognising that Traps responsibility is to do the best for Ireland in the finals (not to reward recent mediocrity) then he should pick the player most likely to make a positive contribution.

The best teams all have competition for places - we should be no different.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think Trap's just trying to dampen expectations. If McClean is playing well enough he'll go. Trap's shown his ruthlessness before - dropping Kilbane, taking Andy Keogh off after 15 minutes v Italy, etc.

[French Toasht]

Sure but I don't think that philosophy is enough to overcome the inherent problems highlighted by Danny (consistency, harmony, morale).

I just don't buy this morale, harmony thing. We know Trap, look at how he has developed his squad during his tenure. It's only ever in a piecemeal fashion, never any seismic changes. Does McLean have some reputation as a particularly thorny or argumentative character or something?

Did Colin Healy rock the boat by his inclusion in 2002?

My view - it's up to McClean or Hoolahan to make themselves impossible ignore. If McClean bangs in 20 goals between now and June, maybe...but it'd have to be some run of form for anyone to force their way in (notwithstanding injuries or the two-three positions genuinely up for grabs).

I have never advocated Hoolahans inclusion in the squad. He simply doesn't fit Trap's system. He would unbalance the style of play that Trap espouses.

McLean would fit into the team pretty seamlessly. Trap gives his wingers licence to express themselves creatively. Thus if McLean is performing better than the players he is vying for a position with, why should he not be included in the squad?