Explosive comments from Stephen Kelly

Ireland international Stephen Kelly is 'shocked & disgusted' at Giovanni Trapattoni's comments about his committment

Stephen Kelly has stated that he is ‘shocked and disgusted’ at Giovanni Trapattoni’s comments in relation to his commitment to the Republic of Ireland international team.

The Ireland manager insinuated yesterday that Kelly did not want to travel for international duty unless he was going to play.

Trapattoni said: “You know what happened in the situation with Kelly? ‘I play or I go home’."

And the Reading defender, who has been capped 32 times for Ireland, has lashed out at Trapattoni, issuing a strongly worded statement confirming his total commitment to the national team.

Kelly’s statement read: “It is extremely disappointing for me to have to make this statement. I am simply shocked and disgusted with the untrue and unwarranted comments made by Giovanni Trapattoni.

“These hurtful and untrue comments have caused distress and upset to myself and my family who have supported me throughout my career and know the level of commitment and passion I have always shown in representing my country.

“I have proudly represented Ireland from the age of sixteen, and I have never shown anything other than 100% commitment to my country and my team.

“I cannot and will not tolerate attempts to defame my commitment and loyalty to Ireland.

“Representing Ireland at senior international level has given me some of my proudest moments in my professional career, and for me captaining my country will always be my greatest achievement.

“It saddens me greatly that I should have to defend my good character and reputation in a profession I love, however, I refuse to allow anyone to question my passion for representing Ireland.

“I will continue as always to proudly be available for my country.”

Have to say that Kelly has always come across as a very likable, articulate and committed player. Was surprised to hear traps comments yesterday. Hope this gets sorted as although he wouldnt be first choice he is a very decent replacement

Could this bring the Trap down?

So he wasn't "rested" for Wednesday game. :rolleyes:

The meeja will hope it will! They tried their best to make a case for sacking before Poland, even some writers grittingly accepted we won, so now they're going to go to town on this. Have to love how our meeja are England tabloid light. Not even the IT can rise above the filth.

Yeah the meeja.

Trap needs to go. He needed to go after the Euros.

Of the various fallouts there have been, this is the worst for Trap I suspect. Fringe player, but a blistering attack. Not so much burning his bridges with Trap, as calling in an air strike.

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Originally Posted by ifk101

Yeah the meeja.

Trap needs to go. He needed to go after the Euros.

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Why? Is he losing matches? Is he not watching matches live in person? Is he not giving young players a chance? Is he not giving more players a chance to play for Ireland? Is he shopping himself around Europe (like Capello did) for a new job?

The Euros are history, we're now in a qualification battle and doing well for our place. The talking heads and meeja need to justify their place and salaries, so they will continue to run against logic or good sense because they are right, in their own minds.

Do you really believe that?

That he is giving young players a chance?

And with his current tactics, we'll be 'doing well', in six weeks time?


Because not sure I share that optimism...

He is losing matches actually, Spud! He started going to matches too late, and his manner of introducing new players is haphazard. And he has been listening to other offers. And the Euros are not history if he refuses to learn and keeps putting out 4-4-2 against good sides.

Trap has been unprofessional and sloppy for a while now. Look at all the falling outs. He is supposed to protect players and not hang them out to dry. I know English isn't his first language, but he doesn't sound like his thoughts would be coherent in any language.

Don't hang this on the media and their agenda, it's about getting the best out of this bunch of players and not alienating them. And anyway, dealing with the media is his job anyway.

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Why?

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Have you seen us play?

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Is he losing matches?

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Seriously. 6-1 defeat at home to Germany!!!!

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Is he not watching matches live in person?

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Hello! Since when?

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Is he not giving young players a chance?

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Since when and why? Think players retiring, injuries and the Euros backlash.

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Is he not giving more players a chance to play for Ireland?

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Is that in the job brief?

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Is he shopping himself around Europe (like Capello did) for a new job?

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Think. He's 74 in a month's time. How employable do you actual think he is?

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Euros are history, we're now in a qualification battle and doing well for our place. The talking heads and meeja need to justify their place and salaries, so they will continue to run against logic or good sense because they are right, in their own minds.

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Hot air.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Do you really believe that?

That he is giving young players a chance?

And with his current tactics, we'll be 'doing well', in six weeks time?


Because not sure I share that optimism...

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It depends on your definition of young players, mine is that he has a fair share of youngsters capable of stepping up being blooded into the side. Tactics are for those who want to sound important, good players will play and win or compete.

I am not an oracle, nor are you, nor anyone else, though we are being told by the meeja that we're doomed, the same as under every other manager since Eoin Hand was ruthlessly destroyed by some of the same people leading the charge now. Sadly the public is being led by attention seeking money grubbers that can't stand to be proved wrong - last weekend's George Hook fest is a prime example.

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Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Could this bring the Trap down?

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Fingers crossed

But will you change your name?

We're not 'doomed' Spud, nor am I the oracle.

But I reckon I could do almost as good a job as Trap, as could, far more importantly, people who're much better qualified to do so...

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

But will you change your name?

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Yes, to 'PonyandTrap'...

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

But will you change your name?

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My username isn't pro-Trapattoni

I'm not convinced by Kelly in this situation.
He was asked in as a late replacement, there are some issues lingering from the last get together.

One answer he did not give when asked to join up with the squad was, 'sure, I'll be there asap'.

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

The meeja will hope it will! They tried their best to make a case for sacking before Poland, even some writers grittingly accepted we won, so now they're going to go to town on this. Have to love how our meeja are England tabloid light. Not even the IT can rise above the filth.

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Come on mate. Like I've said on other posts, Trap has done some very good things for the team, most of them within the first two/three years of his reign, when he turned a joke of a team into a team that deserved to qualify for the World Cup and then did qualify for the Euros.

However, even his most ardent supporters must accept that his communication skills are a joke and he has alienated some very good decent guys like Kelly. Guys like Gibson and Ireland are one thing but a quiet good pro like Kelly is quite another. His management of Wilson and McCarthy could have lost them to the North or to Scotland, were they not totally committed to playing for us. He makes Don Givens seem like a world class diplomat does our Trap.

Kelly has been turning up for years and filling in for injuries without ever making the first-choice 11. Trap shouldn't be hanging him out to dry to cover his own hide.

Trap was what we needed in the first 2-3 years of his reign, but we've been going backwards fast for about two years now.

@Mods: Maybe all 2/3 threads on Kelly should be merged???