GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI PREACHED positivity at Ireland’s training camp today — but doesn’t appear to be even considering the proactive change so many of the country seem to want him to make: James McClean.
While insisting that the Croatia performance was, on reflection, much more positive than he initially thought, the manager said he had to think about any changes for Thursday against Spain but that McClean remains too inexperienced to cope with such a situation.
On a similar note, Trapattoni also explained that he put Simon Cox on ahead of both McClean and Stephen Hunt against Croatia because he felt the improvised winger was more likely to score.
“This morning, I watched our game with more calmness and came to the conclusion that we played good, of not the same level [as previous games].
“Obviously, the performance of Croatia was superior to us but our performance was more than positive, because this detail, the first goal, was a mistake and we also had the opportunity to achieve the draw. We deserved [the draw]. The second goal, I remain of the same opinion: offside. And the second half, there was a also a penalty against Robbie Keane.
“This [first] goal [by Mario Mandzukic] was very heavy psychologically. Maybe our confidence, after 14 games without defeat… we were disappointed about what happened. We went down psychologically at this moment.”
And, although Trapattoni said that he must “think about” his team, he did insist faith must still be kept in the framework that got Ireland this far, despite Sunday’s reality check.
“A manager must be concerned about the psychology of the players. I have to think about confidence, trust, belief. I must understand.”
Trapattoni, however, still can’t seem to understand the clamour for McClean. When asked by an English journalist whether the Sunderland winger was under consideration, he merely responded “are you his friend?”
“In this situation, we need experienced players. You can understand when the young come, there is more tension. It’s important to give them a quiet opportunity, not when we need a performance, under pressure.
“It’s a heavy weight on his shoulders.
Forward thinking
As for Cox’s introduction on Sunday, Trapattoni cleared up some of confusion.
“I waited for this question. Remember when you asked why I take five strikers, I say Cox can play on the wing.
“Our wingers do not score many goals. How many goals have [Aiden] McGeady and [Damien] Duff scored? They are wingers. You need another level. In this moment, I thought Cox was more likely to score.
“I needed to recover the goal, so I put Cox on the wing.”
Finally, Trapattoni was asked how he sees Spain lining up.
“I think, after I saw this game, maybe they will play with [Fernando] Torres but, because Italy has good defence he played with these players, small. He changed when he understood, in this moment, the necessity to put in front a striker.
“I don’t know which team he will play against us. We know their quality.”
Trapattoni also refused to many issue of the heavy Gdansk pitch which the Spanish players so complained about.
“You only know if it’s an advantage if you win,” he added.
Has trap gone senile. McClean was one of the best Irish players in the premier league last year and he brings on Cox!
I’m sure the captain of d titanic was similarly positive and optimistic after striking d iceberg!
Rose coloured glasses
Don’t believe in miracles…Depend on them
No Trap…we were brutal last night…brutal!
If the lads can keep the score down to 3-0 it would be great.
We’ll be lucky to keep it to 3 nil by half time against Spain.
I see your point Wolf, cause itd be a shame for us to win 4 or 5 nil only to lose to Italy, we dont wanna be getting false hope :D
Definition of insanity. Keep doing the same things and to think you can get different results. I really really want to be wrong but I cannot see anything but a thrashing from the Spanish. I would love it to be wrong!!!! So I will keep hoping.. But Jayzus apart from 15 mins we lack all imagination. I went to every game in the Aviva and it was excruciatingly boring. Anyways here’s hoping. But uz all know what I mean
Comical Trapattoni
Will people ever give Trap a break. He picked the players who helped this country to get to the European Championships.
Jaysus, would all the Negatrons give it a break already.
I also don’t agree with the way he sets up Ireland (i.e. no midfield), but maybe he knows the teams limits better than us casual observers do (he does have a little more experience ;-).
It is the first time that we have been in a major tournament in 10 years, I for one will make the most of it and wish the lads all the best, like Irish fans used to.
We are in a bloody tough group and we always knew that this was going to be difficult. I can’t wait to see McLean in action, but is he expected to transfer us into Brazil or something? Also I kind of agree with Trap that throwing him on against Spain for his competitive debut could go great, but also backfire horribly – his time will come (I think he should come on as a sub to gain some experience).
Think of it this way, would most of you out there prefer that we weren’t in the competition? I have been waiting 24 years since the last time we were in the Euros and will enjoy every moment!
If we could PASS the ball ( forward not backwards as we did) we might have a chance but under Trap it seems unlikely as he has been far too rigid
No adaptability
I looked back at some of the match and we couldn’t keep the damn ball in our possession. Stupid play and some aimless passing. Trap has a different opinion, What the hell was he lookin at? And if he doesn’t play mc clean, how the hell is he going to get the experience he talks about? He looked experienced enough this year in the league…..
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Trap is senile and deluded. Everyone from Ireland to Ukraine that saw the match knows we were crap but he thinks we played well. Time for him to go can’t stand another campaign of the same crap, give the job to Brady
Yes. Everyone remembers what a glorious success Brady was at with Celtic
Trap’s style of play has been criticised as being negative. Reading the comments here one could say he seems to have found a way for the team to perfectly reflect the national psyche. I for one understand the frustration but fck it, if we’re goin down let’s go down singin boys and girls. Let’s not just be positive let’s be mind bogglingly hyper speed engage the warp drive Mr. Scott positive! No we won’t beat the Spanish we’ll effin slaughter them, in fact it’ll be the biggest defeat since the Armada! Not only will they not know what hit them but we’ll hit, bag and tag em, go down to the pub, get pissed, wake up and recover from the hangover before they even realise what hit them! There won’t be 11 Irish players on the pitch it’ll be 11 green Borg, Spain, prepare to be assimilated!
Positive rant over you may now return to normal winging,…
Sounds great Mark I’m all on for it. COYBIG
He is all about his own ego. If your good enough your old enough. What does it matter that we were 14 games unbeaten. The man is a fool and im on record with that. His pragmatic Crap football works in qualifying but not at a tournament and that was as evident last night as it was when he managed Italy to a group stage knockout. Even big Jack took a chance on youth remember the three amigos. To think this clown will be in charge in two years time when he is 75 year old senile old git is terrifying.
This comment is horrible, ageism sucks and your bulshit
I dunno if you’re old enough to be senile but you’ve definitely got issues
It was a magnificent achievement qualifying for this group of players. They got a good slice of luck to help them on their way ( moscow ), drawing Estonia. But the luck ran out, and we’ve been shown up as the ordinary side that we are. No slight on the players or management, but we’re out of our depth. I will be cheering them on nonetheless…
Well I certainly hope the squad are not reading journal.ie comments on their iPhones or we are definitely getting buggered on Thursday.
Looks like he’s showing how small are chances are of qualifying..
Wake up Trap we don’t have the ability
I don’t really want to berate Trappatoni but why bring James McClean and not play him. I understand that he wants to protect him but why have him in the squad and then not play him, I’m sure other players that were left at home won’t be very happy about this
Humbug!
Come on Ireland!!!!
Croatia where much by a mile the better team and any other result would have been an injustice.what is needed is Brendan Rodgers type of football and he has proven lest gifted players are capable of good football when at Swansea.I am not impressed with Traps or by the way big Jack played football boring.
He should play Jedward.
And ruin their hair for less money