Kilbane backs Trapattoni

Kilbane backs Trapattoni

Soccer Shorts : Kevin Kilbane has backed new manager Giovanni Trapattoni to lead the Republic of Ireland to the 2010 World Cup.

Former Italy boss Trapattoni was appointed last week after a protracted search for Steve Staunton's successor.

Ireland have not qualified for a major tournament since the 2002 World Cup but Kilbane believes the vastly-experienced Trapattoni (68) is the man to put that right.

Wigan midfielder Kilbane, who has 87 international caps, said: "It is a big name and one we are all going to be looking forward to working under.

"He is going to bring in different ideas and methods and I am sure every player that is going to be taking part is looking forward to it." Kilbane (31) has no intention of following the likes of Liverpool's Steve Finnan who, at the same age, recently announced his international retirement.

The former Preston, West Brom and Sunderland midfielder sees exciting times ahead and he hopes to help carry the Republic into a bright new era. Kilbane added: "Over the last few years, we have had a lot of new players come in and taste international football and now I am sure they will be looking to take their opportunity over the coming years."


from Ireland.com




The reason I post this is, is due to a lack of quotes etc from players in relation to our new manager. I am sure if Venables got the job the journlists would have gone out and got loads of quotes from the players on this. They have been very quiet on this subject.

True, Kilbane would probably say that no matter who the manager was as he wants to be part of the team for the next campaign, I hope Kilbane does figure in Traps plans, always gives 100%(which has become a cliche for every player) but in Kilbanes case he really does and I still think he is the best equipped player we have to play LB even if it isn't his natural position

Just looking at his caps total there, he's not far off being our next centurion although Given will probably pip him to it unless he stays as a regular for the next campaign which I doubt he will. 87 is still some haul....

That makes Kilbane the first to publically come out and endorse Trap, yes? I imagine you might just see the same from other players, perhaps even the vocal pro-Venables ones, in the near future.

Kilbane has always prompted conflicted feelings in me; on one hand, he's a bit of a donkey with limited technical ability, on the other hand, the man plays with a smile on his face & gives 100% for his country - a model international player.

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Originally Posted by amaccann

That makes Kilbane the first to publically come out and endorse Trap, yes? I imagine you might just see the same from other players, perhaps even the vocal pro-Venables ones, in the near future.

Kilbane has always prompted conflicted feelings in me; on one hand, he's a bit of a donkey with limited technical ability, on the other hand, the man plays with a smile on his face & gives 100% for his country - a model international player.

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A man you hate to love. Hates that.

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Originally Posted by amaccann

he's a the man plays with a smile on his face & gives 100% for his country - a model international player.

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Absolutely. A limited player who has always played with passion for the Irish jersey and had some great games along the way because of his commitment...Stephen Ireland take note.

kilbane personifies pride and passion - a f**king legend

Agree 100%. would love to see him get the 100 caps. Openly enjoys playing for us and always fully committed. Hats off good sir.

Zinedine Kilbane......so long as he doesn't play centre MF :)

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Originally Posted by as_i_say

Agree 100%. would love to see him get the 100 caps. Openly enjoys playing for us and always fully committed. Hats off good sir.

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Well said. Like him or not - A true servant and proud Irishman. He deserves 100 caps. He has never let us down......

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Originally Posted by RivaldoBabb

Absolutely...Stephen Ireland take note.

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The more senior and revered Robbie Keane should take note. For the last decade or so Kilbane has had to put up with section of the media and fans being on his case for club and country, and always delt with it with dignity (well, he gave Sunderland fans the finger once!!) and without affecting his commitment. If/When he ever winds up on the late late show, I'd say it's safe to say ye won't catch him whinging about media conspiracy or Irish fans being led by the media or Irish fans having too high expectations or Irish squads not having the players we had ten years ago... No blame shifting with Kevin Kilbane. He just knuckles down and gets on with it.

I hope he gets the 100 caps

ya here here.

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Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Zinedine Kilbane......so long as he doesn't play centre MF :)

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That's the position he won Ireland player of the year in after so many poor performances under McCarthy. I wouldn't play him in central midfield but I wouldn't play him anywhere in the team tbh. Harsh I know and doubly harsh because he's such a decent chap.

Kevin Kilbane....what a guy...

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

That's the position he won Ireland player of the year in after so many poor performances under McCarthy. I wouldn't play him in central midfield but I wouldn't play him anywhere in the team tbh. Harsh I know and doubly harsh because he's such a decent chap.

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Disagree, Kilbane's always been an easy target for people with little knowledge of the game purely because he never hides and therefore his mistakes are noticed more. He's been a very effective player for Ireland over the years in various positions (he was my MM in CM away to France regardless of what anyone had to say about RK's performance that night) and has never let us down. An awful lot of what he gets through is unsung to boot, he's a better player then is given credit for (ask Everton fans what they think of him) and fully deserved his award the year he won player of the year. He'll be missed when he's gone and will be appreciated more with hindsight in my view. That said I certainly wouldn't play him in central mid at this stage of his career when we've better options, that was always a stop gap. I'd sooner have him left back then O'Shea mind you.

Eirebhoy has a harsh cut throat side to his nature, even though I agree with him I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud :)

Kilbane is such a positive genuine guy, atm indispensable to the squad but dispensable to the starting eleven.

...into a corner and begs him to keep him on the team.

Couldn't resist. Not our best player, but possibly our most committed, and the someday-maybes in the squad who see themselves as more gifted / important / Irish should see him there and getting his game on committment alone to give them a boot up the arse.

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Originally Posted by geysir

atm indispensable to the squad but dispensable to the starting eleven.

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not even nearly dispensable at this stage. his physical presence would be sorely missed particularly in defense.

as others here point out he's an easy target particularly for the blinkered and ill informed

He was definitely deserving of his POTY award. He was excellent off the ball, hassled the opposition all day (He didn't give Nedved an inch in the friendly). He made his usual forward runs and he was usually our only player outside of defence over 6 foot which helps.

As a player though he has terrible positional sense. He has learnt to follow the line so when he partnered Kavanagh, Keane or Holland in midfield he knew where to be at all times. When he's playing in defence he sticks to the defensive line and can't really make the positional decisions for himself. Away to Cyprus being the obvious example when he had to figure out all by himself where he should be on the pitch.

Anyway, he used to be the number 1 target for abuse and he's far from that now. He's definitely finally appreciated.

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Originally Posted by amaccann

That makes Kilbane the first to publically come out and endorse Trap, yes?

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No, Stephen Hunt in the Star on Sunday came out and said it was a great appointment calling Trap incredible and saying he got a huge buzz from watching his press conference.