GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI WILL probably have to plan without first-choice strike partnership Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle for next month’s crucial Euro2012 play-off double qualification header.
But the Ireland manager believes his squad has the strength in depth to cope.
Trap faced the press again this morning, hours after the Boys in Green secured a play-off spot thanks to a 2-1 win over Armenia at the Aviva Stadium.
It was a game in which Kevin Doyle was dismissed for two yellow cards and record goalscorer Keane watched from the sideline with a muscle injury.
Keane indicated afterwards that he faces a fight to be fit for the ties in November while Doyle will sit out the first leg with an automatic ban. Trap insists he’s not worried however.
“Unlike two years ago, we have options – and we also have Aiden McGeady and Damien Duff. I am confident about this,” the Italian told reporters last night.
“That is our team. Maybe we don’t have superstars, but McGeady is playing very well and Duff is fantastic. I am happy with our attitude, mentality and approach to every game.”
Thought Walters looked very comfortable last night when he came on. Well able to take the ball down, turn and have a go at defenders. Would love to see himself and long given a chance
Having watched the last two games it shows once again that we have no guts in going forward no flare anywhere on the pitch and we only got our results because of pure luck and not skill.
Thanks for your original and incisive analysis there mate, take your seat beside the dogs on the street. Personally I think this is a great time for some of these lads, let’s get to the euros boys!
I’ll be watching tomorrow’s draw with interest. If Portugal avoid Turkey or Bosnia I’ll smell a rat. Will UEFA want the bigger nations and Ronaldo at next summers finals at all costs?
Why don’t the players stand up to Trap. He is strangling their creativity. They will be blown away if they get to the finals with their defensive style and big hoofs downfield. The big guns will destroy them.
Yeah, just like Greece in Euro 2004. Oh wait, they won the tournament.
The big guns will beat us no matter how we play. We’re not good enough. Our current system at least gives us a chance to be competitive. We have reached 2 play offs in a row. When we played with more creation we failed to reach the play offs.
Would you prefer to have success or pretty football and lose?
Mary because you can’t make a silk purse out of a Pigs ear
Jaysus, household names one and all :(
They are actually, in any household that follows the national team or English football
Long, Walters and Cox?
Jonathan Walters has been performing strongly at Stoke and Long is doing pretty well for himself. Granted Cox isn’t getting much publicity but any supporter will know them!
In other news, Trap’s interpreter would get a serious dose of it…….
current form at top level would have 2 of Walters, Long and Leon Best up front.
cox was very good last day. Walters is a work horse also, best scores when he plays for newcastle.
Shane long has 3 goals in PL this season, one was against ManUtd and one against Chelsea. Says a lot.
oh and david connolly is having a great patch at southhampton….!!!!