Read it and weep....Trap stays!

[tetsujin1979]

The cynic in me would say that the FAI see no value in sacking him right now and this is almost totally a financial decision, rather than a genuine belief that this is the man to take us forward. If we take 4+ points off Austria/Sweden, then happy days for them and they are justified by such results if Trap gets us to Brrazil. If Ireland are awful in these games, then Trap may walk and they save a lot of money.

I am seriously concerned that the very good work of Trap's early part of his tenure will be undone by him throughout this campaign. I was absolutely disgusted at him basically indicating that we have no right to think we could compete with Germany. Obviously, the Swedes didn't read from that textbook when they came from 4-0 down. Obviously, the North didn't listen when they nearly beat Portugal last night. It was an insult to people who paid good money and traveled long distances to see the game.

This guy watches our players on the telly from his home in Italy. He makes little or no effort to get to games. In my opinion, he treats our national team and the football community of Ireland with total contempt by doing this, while pocketing a massive salary. When a manager falls out with a guy like Gibson, then you can wonder if the player is a lot more at fault than Trap. However, when good guys like Stephen Kelly consider not boarding a plane for a game or when a true Irish warrior like Kilbane speaks about how removed the players were from Trap when he was in the squad, then serious concerns have to be raised about his man management abilities and the spirits in the camp. On another thread, Grealish and ou u19s are being discussed. How many people on here reckon Trap has any knowledge or interest in them or our other underage teams? Meanwhile I have spotted Roy Hodgson, the manager of a big football nation like England at fecking Victory Shield games.

The promotion of Clifford, Brady and Duffy would suggest he does have knowledge of them

[jbyrne]

so why pay e1.2million to coach not very good players? FFS.

surely thats exactly when you do so?
and one nearly and one actual qualification with a group of average players shows it paid dividends.

[Noelys Guitar]

This is ok if they sit him down and say:

1. You absolutely have to change your tactics and put more pressure on opponents when they have the ball.
2. Improve your communication within the squad and repair damaged relations.
3. Stop bleating about the quality available to you and start making the most of it.
4. Smash your DVD player and go watch some matches.
5. Never ever let Paul Green anywhere near another squad.
6. And just stop going on about how much you've achieved in the game.

If he changes, great. Fully expect hoofball and 30% possession against Greece, however.

Why would a manager of any note listen to anyone telling them how to do their job. Least of all listen to "advise" from the FAI. They wouldn't. And that statement from the FAI means we know have a weakened manager and a continuing joke of an association running football. This is going to turn into a complete shambles.

[jbyrne]

Our players are not that bad, that is just an excuse used by Trapattoni apologists. Greatly disappointed but not surprised with the FAI.

and sack trap apologists pretend to themselves that our group of players drawn from lower epl, championship and mls teams are much better than they are to suit their own anti trap agenda

[p2011]

and sack trap apologists pretend to themselves that our group of players drawn from lower epl, championship and mls teams are much better than they are to suit their own anti trap agenda

You seem to support Trap because he's effective getting results and a few here are obsessed with results and 'achieving the qualify'... but results have been dire recently too! Name me a satisfactory competitive result with any sort of acceptable performance against decent opposition (not Estonia or Faroes or Armenia) in the last 3 years since Paris?

[Olé Olé]

I'm very happy. The problem is not with our manager, the problem is that our players aren't very good.

Can't agree. They're no worse than the Swedish players that drew with Germany, rather than getting utterly slaughtered on their own patch.

[The Fly]

Can't agree. They're no worse than the Swedish players that drew with Germany, rather than getting utterly slaughtered on their own patch.

They are worse. Sweden has been a far more successful side over the past decade than we have. Indeed, since 2000 they have qualified for every World Cup and European Championship with the exception of the previous World Cup in 2010.

[tricky_colour]

Yes we are going to find it tough getting points out of Sweden, however we got a better result against the Faroes than any other team has
for a good while so maybe there is some cause for optimism but then again that result may have flattered us.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm very happy. The problem is not with our manager, the problem is that our players aren't very good.

If our players weren't good they wouldn't be able to succeed in spite of a bizarre system that invites teams to pile pressure on us and wear the players out. If our players weren't good they'd be losing 6-1 every game because even the Faroes are set up to play a bit of ball and accentuate their strengths.

[Yard of Pace]

They are worse. Sweden has been a far more successful side over the past decade than we have. Indeed, since 2000 they have qualified for every World Cup and European Championship with the exception of the previous World Cup in 2010.

Forget about their recent achievements. Right now, are Sweden, man-for-man, much better players than our Irish players? I don't think so. They have Zlatan, obviously, and Kallstrom is good. Everyone else plays for fairly average teams. Lustig has 30 caps and I've seen him put in some dire performances for Celtic. The two Olssons in the EPL are fairly bog-standard.

[Charlie Darwin]

Forget about their recent achievements. Right now, are Sweden, man-for-man, much better players than our Irish players? I don't think so. They have Zlatan, obviously, and Kallstrom is good. Everyone else plays for fairly average teams. Lustig has 30 caps and I've seen him put in some dire performances for Celtic. The two Olssons in the EPL are fairly bog-standard.

Championship

[SkStu]

surely thats exactly when you do so?
and one nearly and one actual qualification with a group of average players shows it paid dividends.

How does the 3-1 against Croatia, the 4-0 against Spain, the 2-0 against Italy and the 6-1 against Germany fit in with your bs philosophy and blind support? Shouldn't we be getting better each year he is being paid his €1.2m? We are getting worse and are shelling out for it.

List me some reasons why Trappatoni should stay. I won't argue them, I just want to understand why there are a few people left who believe he is and will be a good manager for Ireland.

[elroy]

I think this was the most likely decision once we got the win last night. Even if he manages WC qualification, I think this will be his last campaign.

Too costly to get rid of the man, plus the campaign is very much alive. We are one point off what an optimistic fan would have us amassed at this stage.

He also has finally shown a willingness to bring in players that are commanding first team spots at the top level in England (i.e. Wilson, Coleman, McCarthy). There are positive signs in this regard.

Of most concern now is that we have lost the defensive solidity that was so welcome in Traps first two years. We are a shambles at the back now and need the likes of Dunne and Sledger fit and in form for the rest of the campaign in order to have any chance of over throwing Sweden and Austria. Trap needs to work on redeveloping the strong defensive structure we once had while also continuing to develop the ball playing skills of the likes of McCarthy, Wilson, McGeady, Brady and Coleman. We actually saw our goalkeeper play a simple ball straight to the midfielders last night rather than taking the simple option of hoofing it long - this is the change in attitude that we need!!

Finally, someone mentioned above about NI result against Portugal. One thing I have admired with that lot is their ability to get results of the big sides. THere is no reason we should not be able to do the same. A well organised, tactically astute team of average players can certainly pose a good threat to a team of more individually talented players.

[boovidge]

Finally, someone mentioned above about NI result against Portugal. One thing I have admired with that lot is their ability to get results of the big sides. THere is no reason we should not be able to do the same. A well organised, tactically astute team of average players can certainly pose a good threat to a team of more individually talented players.

Fair play to NI but the draw at home to Luxembourg has basically knocked them out. Much more important to win the bread and butter games rather than raising your game once in a while for the big boys.

[CraftyToePoke]

Fair play to NI but the draw at home to Luxembourg has basically knocked them out. Much more important to win the bread and butter games rather than raising your game once in a while for the big boys.

This is it, they have an admirable ability to dig out a result against the world powers, whereas we of late have begun getting absolutely pillaged in such fixtures. They let themselves down in games they might be expected to win while we muddle through those type games, convincing just enough to ward off revolution.

Its as compelling a case for joining the sides into one formidable unit as you will ever see. Surely?

Discuss ...

[elroy]

Fair play to NI but the draw at home to Luxembourg has basically knocked them out. Much more important to win the bread and butter games rather than raising your game once in a while for the big boys.

Agree with you. Cant remember what campaign it was, but they have got superb results against the big boys (think Sweden was one actually) and were in a position to get into top 2. Then proceeded to lose to a poor Iceland.


My point is that we seem to have an inferior mentality against higher seeded teams. With good tactics and organisation we should be getting results against these teams.

[elroy]

This is it, they have an admirable ability to dig out a result against the world powers, whereas we of late have begun getting absolutely pillaged in such fixtures. They let themselves down in games they might be expected to win while we muddle through those type games, convincing just enough to ward off revolution.

Its as compelling a case for joining the sides into one formidable unit as you will ever see. Surely?

Discuss ...

Sarcasm from you I know but actually if you read any twitter posts by their delightful fans, you wouldnt even entertain the thought!!

[Spudulika]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...l#.UH899NjPsUA

I made a decision this week never to read the Indo again, and now this drivel from Malone! I cannot believe this was allowed past an editor. It seems as if the "football" hacks of Ireland don't do self-irony. Imagine, when we all thought that it was Trap picking the team, it was, in fact, his critics - ie the meeja. The self-same meeja who will attack the FAI for all sorts yet never show their mugs at a LOI ground. Who lovingly lap up tickets and trips to the sky leagues, yet then complain about excess.

The sole problem for Trap, is that he has no mates in the Irish media. He never cultivated any, never wanted any and his "communication problems" are that he doesn't leak like a sieve and pally up to the boys who reckon they can do a better job than anyone else because they won the Champions League twice with Shamrock Rovers, Manchester United or worse, Dundalk. Sadly the current crop of sports hacks are so beholden to football manager that they can't see their own limitations, let alone those of others.

[gastric]

No fan of Trap, but it has to be acknowledged that finally he is beginning to look outside the usual suspects and is giving the likes of Brady, Coleman and Wilson a go. What he needs to do now is change the game style that has conceded, I think it is a total of 16 goals in the Euros and against Germany. A passing game that suits the players and engages the fans is badly needed.

[Spudulika]

Dunphy now joining with the (RTE) meeja in slamming the FAI and follows on from a blogger and failed former Irish boss. Lovely hurling altogether.