Surprising? Yes. But what really matters is whether this is genuine openness to "change" in personnel or just pandering to the criticism with the usual reversion to type for future qualifiers.
At this stage anyway it's more than just "who". The problems have festered for too long and has become something deeper than that.
Anyway, good for now. Well see what it really means in the next few months.
Keogh was on the left against South Africa at Thomond, and dear God he was woeful. other than that I quite like that lineup
Decent line-up. Can't say I'm all that surprised though, even though it's Trap the opposition certainly lends itself to a bit of experimentation. Personnel isn't really where the problem lies though. Still looking forward to seeing Meyler, Coleman, Wilson and Brady. McClean will be kicking himself if the latter does well.
If that's the team that lines out and they play football then we could be in for a treat.
RTE are pretty much reporting that is the team as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
On paper, its not bad at all. Defensively, potentially weak I suppose. Hope the likes of Coleman and Wilson put in a good shift. Surprised to see Brady thrown in to start already- but funnily enough Trap has been known to do this in the past, no doubt McClean wouldve started if he hadnt spoken out of turn. Keogh has had a good start to the new season.
Would be good to see Pearce get a run out as well.
I suppose if Keogh plays inside-left, rather than out and out left wing, with Long playing off Doyle, it could be something.
But the chances of that happening are slim at best.
That central midfield though, it's what we've been praying for, for what seems like forever.
I'm pleased to see Coleman at right back instead of right wing, it's very much in our interest that we start developing attacking full backs.
It's Traps B team, it's good that he remembered Wilson left Coleman right and not vice versa.
I don't see a valid reason why McClean has been put behind Keogh in the order, is it not enough that he apologised in front of the team for his comments? We are in a serious qualification group for the WC and now McClean been shafted out of the next 2 competitive games, at least.
I agree. The balance of an otherwise useful experimental side has been sacrificed, compromising the usefulness of the experiment. McClean has had his dressing down and we should get on with it.
Agreed. If it plays as a straight up 4-4-2 then we are not likely to see too much improvement. In my world it should play more as a 4-3-3 and as other have noted push the full backs on.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Ah shafted, get out of that. It's of his own making, just because Trap hasn't ended his international career doesn't mean he hasn't dropped him down the pecking order. McClean needs to get his head and attitude in check, sitting on the bench for a while and learning to respect that decision may be the best thing for him, a guy with no competitive starts feeling entitlement to play is a ridiculous situation that needs to be nipped in the bud.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
As Stutts said, accept the sincere apology and move on.
Trapatonni in his own words defending the long ball.
He is talking tactics. After being told that even his most ardent supporter, Liam Brady, had called for a player-driven change of playing style, Trapattoni seeks to explain the logic behind his side's direct approach.
So he sketches a situation where a full-back is playing the ball long, towards a forward player, who must create space in order to facilitate runners from midfield.
His basic point is that the second ball means everything, and he would rather his players be contesting that in opposition territory.
In terms of last Friday's lucky win in Kazakhstan, he explains there were two reasons that his team focused on the long ball. One was the pitch, a view that was verified by defender Stephen Ward. "It wasn't really set up to play football on," said the left-back.
The other, according to Trapattoni, was to avoid unnecessary running.
"We had to save energy," he said. "So the long ball, and second ball, and then we play. We're not Manchester United -- tip, tip, tip, tip. We needed our strength.
"You could pass the ball for 80 minutes and lose one or two nil. The players must move, but I have to give them the situation.
"Liam Brady, he was never a manager. (He is then reminded that Brady did in fact work in management). You need to think in the night. I lie awake and think about this today, a new team, how we play in defence, how we develop the game."
Anyone who has played football on Astroturf at any level knows it is easy to pass the ball. Stan wouldn't come out with an excuse like this.
And these friendlies have been turned into reasons not to play players by the manager. The complete opposite of what they should be used for.
That line up is great to see - something to be positive about for a change.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
It will be genuinely interesting to see how this one pans out.
There's a lot of players being thrown together for the first time here, so if it is a bit of a struggle for some, I hope its not used against them.
Without looking a gift horse in the mouth, I'd also be interested in seeing how Meyler would perform amongst a more established line up of players.
Maybe he has and rates Brady as a better prospect than him? He doesn't seem to be playing Cox/Keogh in the same role as a typical winger.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Maybe because they can't play as typical wingers?
Even if McClean was the perfect son, no guarantee Trap would play him, given his often bizarre tactics...
Maybe he doesn't feel the need to find out what McClean can do as we all already know!
Seems legit!
Brady, McCarthy & Meyler starting in MF with Coleman at RB..
Tis like something you'd see on an Irish football forum!
Who said he wanted them to play like typical wingers? If he can't have Duff he seems to want to play a deep lying goal threat instead of a poor man's Duff. The fact that he's dropped Hunt entirely even with Duff pretty much supports that he's losing interest in that kind of wide player.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88