I woudl like to give the Ireland fans more credit and think that some of us look beyond a goal. I certainlyl do with Jason McAteer and know he went missing against Holland at home and was the reason that Gary Kelly was sent off.
if he comes back and plays well in his first game everyone will move on and this time next year it will all be forgotten about.Nobody will boo him if he scores the winner against Italy.
Its really not that complicated!!!
I woudl like to give the Ireland fans more credit and think that some of us look beyond a goal. I certainlyl do with Jason McAteer and know he went missing against Holland at home and was the reason that Gary Kelly was sent off.
In Trap we trust
Its really not that complicated!!!
Hunt seems to welcome him back really. Just heard his comments on newstalk and all he says is that he would have to play in the qualifiers but then says that its up to the manager really and that whatever happens he will just get his head down and play.
In Trap we trust
I really would like to see SI back in the team. But I have a feeling that he is not going to be the most dependable of people. I would imagine a fall out in the future because he doesnt bother to turn up to a match for some ridiculus reason. I really feel he will end up casuing more hassle. None the less he is worth taking a chance on. Can see him slotting into right midfield, gives a bit of added pressure for the other wingers, Duff included. I dont htink SI would be a candidate for CM in Traps system. Definately no the type Trap likes in their I feel.
It's the first time I heard that conspiracy about Jason, I feel like I know nothing.
So we don't want back , the best player Ireland has at the moment, really?
eh did i mention booing.
In Trap we trust
Bingo.I'd say the opinion is that the majority want him back, but not through begging.
We want him back only if it's on Trap's terms, and in a way that disrupts the squad as a little as possible, or not at all.
Aside from his walking away, SI has hurt us big time by constantly sniping in the press. One week he wants to play under certain circumstances, then he doesn't want to play, the next no-one has ever rang him even though we all know he was contacted by the managment. Stephen Ireland is at fault for this mess, big time. He has been a complete pr**k, it's hurt our team's build up to games, as well as clearly trying to undermine a very succesfull manager. If he was any other player, I'd tell him to go f**k himself, he cried off for a pathetic reason (I dont mean missing the Slovakian game when the supposed miscarriage happen, but after that game and especially after a change in manager there is no good reason why he cant return), and even then didn't have the grace to go quietly, instead he's made a circus of our national team by lying about his situation for no reason. A simple statement at the start of the campaign would have sufficed, instead of him lying to the press about who he has talked to, and qualifying every statement he makes with "ah, but never say never, maybe I will come back one day". It is, to put it simply, pathetic.
Then again, he isn't any other player.
We need him, he would straight away turn out to be one of our best current players, could turn out to be an all time great Irish player. But his crime has been in international football terms; a massive one. As per the above, it's not just his crying off in the first place, it's as much his behaviour afterwards. If he comes back it must be under Trap's terms. He wont like doing it, but Stephen Ireland must face the media and explain himself and give a mea culpa. The fact is, if he doesn't then going in to massive games against Cyprus, Italy and Montengro we'll have to listen to hacks speculate, guess and bullsh*t about why he quit, why he returned, and what the reaction is within the squad.
Stephen Ireland was wrong. But we need him back. If he comes back without an apology he could seriously mess up our approach to the final games, and drastically change the mood within the camp at a vital, vital stage.
It must be remembered that Stephen Ireland was very wrong for what he has done, if it's not then what sort of discipline and focus can we expect, from the media and from the players, if they do go to South Africa?
He doesn't have to go overboard and beg for mercy, but he does need to take the heat himself in front of the press ands get it all out of the way early on so we can focus on the football and qualifying, and not have every player quizzed 24/7 about his return. To be perfectly honest the team have thus far looked like doing qualifying without him. It'd be a hell of a lot easier with him in the ranks, but it's not at any cost.
Either way, it has to end soon. He has already said "I always say 'never say never' because it's hard not to, but I dont think I'll ever go back." If he really doesn't think he wont come back, then he should have the decency to say he wont ever come back, or at the very least that he wont be back for this WC campaign. If he changes his mind then he must explain and apologise for the above remarks and the numerous falsehoods he has peddled to the Irish team, FAI, management and the Irish fans. Simple as.
Last edited by Jicked; 10/06/2009 at 1:08 AM.
I don't know what all the fuss is about. Trapp plays a very defensive game. I really can's see SI fitting in. Remember he played in midfield against Cyprus away. Man City are great going forward but with SI in central midfield he doesn't offer much protection to the defence. Andrews and Whelan for all their faults are very defensive minded. If they move SI to right side, I don't think JOSH will fancy playing right full.
Always look on the bright side of life
In fairness to Trap though he was saying that he wanted us to be more confident with the ball. That'd imply a role for Ireland.
I used to think that Ireland's lack of physical presence mitigated against his inclusion in the team. I said it often enough here!
However, looking at how we have played without the ball in recent games it's more about the shape (2 banks of 4 etc.) and organisation than actually snapping at opponents' ankles to get the ball back. We cede possession a lot but opponents have really only got near our goal because of defensive lapses. I don't see why Ireland couldn't do this - he just has to learn the drill & be disciplined in his positioning without the ball.
Watching Andrews with the equally dimunitive Liam Miller at Craven Cottage led me to think that maybe Ireland could be accomodated in the current system. Miller played surprisingly well that night.
Either way, Trap is smart enough to recognise what he wants and what to do with the players we have. I think there's been a change of opinion among fans & media alike: we are making progress, the team is evolving and we're inching closer - albeit precariously - towards qualification.
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 10/06/2009 at 8:30 AM.
Its Mise Le Meas
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Liam Miller, for all his limitations, is a conventional central midfielder though. He makes short passes, looks to receive the ball (when he's on good form), and takes the ball from defense and moves it through midfield to our attacking players.
He doesn't really make those bursting runs from the centre that Ireland does with City, and thus is in a better position to break up opposing attacks if we give the ball away, because he's not as far forward.
The point I'm trying to make here is that while they are of a similar stature, their style of play is fairly different.
I'm not sure Ireland would have the discipline to be part of a double column of 4 defenders.
Unless the system is changed, I honestly can't see Ireland fitting into the team in any position other than as a winger (or Robbie's position between midfield and attack).
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