Ireland V Sweden(A) 22 March & Austria(H) - 26 March 2013 - World Cup 2014 Qualifiers

**Murfinator** · 21/03/2013, 5:53 PM

So we're unbeaten in away competitive games in the past 5 years and he's brought us to two playoffs with the worst player pool we've had since the eighties and he's apparently a disgrace. I weep for Irish "supporters" I truly do, cannot help but be frustrated from many of the comments about him here and elsewhere. If you think Ireland are underperforming under Trap I hope you're distanced from the sharp objects when under a predecessor you get to see the "international class" of the likes of Hoolahan, Pilkington, McCarthy and Clark. There'll be nobody to blame it on then.

I think we'll lose to Sweden and lose with Austria, we'll be as good as out at that stage and I won't blame it on Trap. That's simply where our player levels are at right now. We haven't produced a player as good as Fuchs or Alaba in about 15 years now. We've never had a player as good as Ibrahimovic in our History. Thinking we can compete against these kind of players at our lowest ebb is madness. Reality check time.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 21/03/2013, 5:53 PM

Why do you keep insisting we stop critiquing the team? We're all going to be urging the lads on tomorrow, that doesn't mean we have to cease discussion.

In Trap you trust.

**Murfinator** · 21/03/2013, 5:58 PM

Originally Posted by the bear

There is no need to name a player provisionally. If you think he mightn't be ready, why would you name him to start and then highlight the fact that you are unsure on him? This seems crazy to me have i missed something here?

Someone already made a point that Hoolohan could be picked on the wing, a position he used to always play in.

This centre midfield business is infuriating. We could have Hoolahan, McCarthy & Gibson in there.

Gibson has been poor anytime he's played in the past, he's not a team player and is unavailable through his own choosing. Nobody should want a player of that low ability with that kind of attitude in their team, it's strange how people will happily accept Stephen Ireland as a traitor but consider Gibson some sort of mistreated martyr.

**the bear** · 21/03/2013, 6:02 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

So we're unbeaten in away competitive games in the past 5 years and he's brought us to two playoffs with the worst player pool we've had since the eighties and he's apparently a disgrace. I weep for Irish "supporters" I truly do, cannot help but be frustrated from many of the comments about him here and elsewhere. If you think Ireland are underperforming under Trap I hope you're distanced from the sharp objects when under a predecessor you get to see the "international class" of the likes of Hoolahan, Pilkington, McCarthy and Clark. There'll be nobody to blame it on then.

I think we'll lose to Sweden and lose with Austria, we'll be as good as out at that stage and I won't blame it on Trap. That's simply where our player levels are at right now. We haven't produced a player as good as Fuchs or Alaba in about 15 years now. We've never had a player as good as Ibrahimovic in our History. Thinking we can compete against these kind of players at our lowest ebb is madness. Reality check time.

Your message here seems to be we are brutal because of the players at our disposal so why should Trap try and do anything about it. Should we just withdraw from all competitions for the next 10 years or so?

**the bear** · 21/03/2013, 6:07 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

Gibson has been poor anytime he's played in the past, he's not a team player and is unavailable through his own choosing. Nobody should want a player of that low ability with that kind of attitude in their team, it's strange how people will happily accept Stephen Ireland as a traitor but consider Gibson some sort of mistreated martyr.

I consider him a better midfielder than Whelan & Green, thats all.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 21/03/2013, 6:16 PM

Gibson's had his chance. I rate him and I've had lots of time for him before, but his current attitude is indefensible. Paul Green might be an inferior player at club level, but he showed up.

**Bungle** · 21/03/2013, 7:40 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

So we're unbeaten in away competitive games in the past 5 years and he's brought us to two playoffs with the worst player pool we've had since the eighties and he's apparently a disgrace. I weep for Irish "supporters" I truly do, cannot help but be frustrated from many of the comments about him here and elsewhere. If you think Ireland are underperforming under Trap I hope you're distanced from the sharp objects when under a predecessor you get to see the "international class" of the likes of Hoolahan, Pilkington, McCarthy and Clark. There'll be nobody to blame it on then.

I think we'll lose to Sweden and lose with Austria, we'll be as good as out at that stage and I won't blame it on Trap. That's simply where our player levels are at right now. We haven't produced a player as good as Fuchs or Alaba in about 15 years now. We've never had a player as good as Ibrahimovic in our History. Thinking we can compete against these kind of players at our lowest ebb is madness. Reality check time.

I would view Brady, McGrath and Keane (Roy) as better players from their eras as Ibra and that's three players that immediately spring to mind. Lawro and Whelan were vital cogs in one of the greatest club sides of all time, while Ibra got bombed out of Barca. Other players like Giles and Irwin were truly great players. That's a few players off the top of my head. Just because a player is a defender/midfielder, doesn't mean that they are any less important to a winning team than an attacker or a flair player.

Having said that, we've never had an attacking player like Ibra, who is truly world class.

**Irwin3** · 21/03/2013, 7:56 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

Gibson has been poor anytime he's played in the past, he's not a team player and is unavailable through his own choosing. Nobody should want a player of that low ability with that kind of attitude in their team, it's strange how people will happily accept Stephen Ireland as a traitor but consider Gibson some sort of mistreated martyr.

Usual rubbish from the usual suspects. One can only aspire to match the performance levels of Whelan and Green. Not a team player? Where do you get this crap from? The Everton fans seem happy enough with him. Their thread on their next captain is dominated by talk about Gibson. http://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/54463-Captain

and 3rd choice here in a diiferent thread behind Everton's two stalwarts, Jagielka and Baines.
http://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/th...1-Next-Captain

Doesn't sound like they have problems with his teamwork and attitude, yet for some reason you feel the need to spout your nonsense again.

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/03/2013, 7:59 PM

Originally Posted by Irwin3

Their thread on their next captain is dominated by talk about Gibson. http://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/54463-Captain

It seems to be dominated by votes for Jagielka.

**tricky_colour** · 21/03/2013, 8:21 PM

Originally Posted by p2011

Well, doc, I'm backing the team too, but I don't see why we 'must' trust in Trap.

Lot of friendlies coming up this summer it seems, just a pity our manager doesn't even try to learn anything from friendlies.

Well, judging by the squad, it probably had two of McCarthy, Hoolahan and Hendrick in midfield! Not hard to see how they might be superior to Trap's chosen two. I would rather see Hoolahan ahead of Green in a two-man midfield if we're stuck to 4-4-2. Yes, before anyone states the obvious, I know it's not Hoolahan's usual position but I'd still rather have a proper footballer in there. Trap is sabotaging our chances if we start with Whelan and Green in midfield. Do we not learn anything from the Euros? From basically having 6 or 8 (if you include the wingers getting back to cover the fullbacks) defensive players on the park and 2 (or 4) isolated attacking players, disjointed with no link between the two blocks? From failing to retain possession for any more than a few seconds at a time?

Well I suppose one thing Paul Green has going for him was that he was not at the Euros!!
I suppose if things are not going well he could make some midfield changes ie if we go a goal down early.

**tricky_colour** · 21/03/2013, 8:25 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

While I don't doubt they would be a much better midfield, I'd be a bit wary of Indo hyperbole on the subject. A "flurry of one-touch passing" probably translates closer to "they could pass the ball a bit".

A flurry suggests 3 or more passes.

**Irwin3** · 21/03/2013, 8:31 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

It seems to be dominated by votes for Jagielka.

Try again?

**geysir** · 21/03/2013, 8:36 PM

Originally Posted by Irwin3

Try again?

Gibbo likes a drink(and a fag?).

**Irwin3** · 21/03/2013, 8:38 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Gibbo likes a drink(and a fag?).

Winner!

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/03/2013, 9:22 PM

Originally Posted by Irwin3

Try again?

Ah I clicked the wrong one. Good to see he's showing commitment at his club, perhaps one day he'll show the same commitment to his country.

**SkStu** · 21/03/2013, 9:51 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Well I suppose one thing Paul Green has going for him was that he was not at the Euros!!

He famously WAS at the euros and came on as sub ahead of the significantly miffed Gibson!

Oh, Nobby Green anyone?
http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-29146608.html

**SkStu** · 21/03/2013, 9:55 PM

He's such a weird manager.

He said: "McCarthy is in the squad. He plays well, but we are playing away and I have seen so many games of Sweden.

"There are players who give time to other players. James is not this typical player.

"He is young enough and maybe in one year or two years he will be better than Whelan."

Hull's Robbie Brady was named on the wing but Trapattoni revealed he had a slight doubt over him in a psychological sense and challenged the 21-year-old to prove he was ready.

Trapattoni said: "There is no injury but I want to be sure.

"I spoke with him. I said, 'Are you sure, are you okay?' He said, 'Yes'.

"I wish to push him. Brady is creative. He can put the opponents in difficulty.

"He showed (this) against Poland, going inside. He is clever and I told him, 'You must repeat this game'.

"It is my provocation. He will now see in the newspaper tomorrow he is a doubt. It is only psychological."

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/03/2013, 9:58 PM

"He is young enough and maybe in one year or two years he will be better than Whelan."

Is this the most backhanded compliment in football history?

**Crosby87** · 21/03/2013, 10:08 PM

Is he saying this in Italian and it is being translated slightly wrong? Is that one of the ongoing issues with Trap? I mean you are telling me he said "provocation?" I dunno. Even if Sh*t is slightly wrong, it causes problems. Why would he elude to it being in the newspaper. Thus removing the point of it.
It almost seems like the translator struggles with English and puts in whatever they think...