Trapattoni right to stick to his guns
Posted by admin . Published on 18 November 2009, Comments Off Received
The search for a scapegoat for the Republic of Ireland's defeat to France in last week's qualifying play-off didn't last long.
Giovanni Trapattoni has found himself in the firing line. As always in professional football the manager is the one that has to deal with the blame when things go wrong.
However, it is too early to criticize the Irish boss and to write off his team's chances ahead of Wednesday's second leg in Paris.
If Ireland win, then Trapattoni will be hailed as hero. If they crash out, he will be blamed. Football can be that fickle at times.
Trust in the wise one
It is far too late in the qualifying campaign to consider a change of tactics, especially with the squad of players available to the 70-year-old Italian.
He is right to stick with his 'boring' approach that saw Ireland go through their qualifying group unbeaten. The system clearly works.
Trapattoni is one of the most successful coaches in the history of the modern game, so his doubters should really be checking his back record before suggesting that he doesn't know what he is doing.
More needed from attacking quartet
As highlighted in the last blog entry, Trap's system only works when his two wingers (Liam Lawrence and Damien Duff) create the bulk of his side's chances. This is a must in the Stade de France.
Along with those two performing at their best, Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle also have to be sharp in front of goal. If either can take advantage of a half-chance or a defensive error from the French, then that could be the away goal needed to open the tie up.
Instead of following the now cliched line of suggesting that the central midfield pairing of Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews are average players, those doubting this Irish team should look at established stars like Keane and Duff to deliver when it matters most.
Set-pieces could be key
Throughout the qualifying campaign Ireland have scored a lot of goals from set-pieces. It is an area where the team dominates and might be how they can find a way past French keeper Hugo Lloris.
With Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, John O'Shea, and Kevin Kilbane all able to use their height and upper body strength in these situations, every set-piece should be seen as an ideal opportunity to reignite the tie.
And defending set-pieces has also improved with every free-kick and corner in the first leg that France had being dealt with well by the Irish defence. So Trapattoni's men should look to set-pieces as a tactic to overpower Les Bleus and maybe grab a goal or two.
Prediction: France 0 Republic of Ireland 1 (with Ireland winning in extra-time)
Giovanni Trapattoni has found himself in the firing line. As always in professional football the manager is the one that has to deal with the blame when things go wrong.
However, it is too early to criticize the Irish boss and to write off his team's chances ahead of Wednesday's second leg in Paris.
If Ireland win, then Trapattoni will be hailed as hero. If they crash out, he will be blamed. Football can be that fickle at times.
Trust in the wise one
It is far too late in the qualifying campaign to consider a change of tactics, especially with the squad of players available to the 70-year-old Italian.
He is right to stick with his 'boring' approach that saw Ireland go through their qualifying group unbeaten. The system clearly works.
Trapattoni is one of the most successful coaches in the history of the modern game, so his doubters should really be checking his back record before suggesting that he doesn't know what he is doing.
More needed from attacking quartet
As highlighted in the last blog entry, Trap's system only works when his two wingers (Liam Lawrence and Damien Duff) create the bulk of his side's chances. This is a must in the Stade de France.
Along with those two performing at their best, Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle also have to be sharp in front of goal. If either can take advantage of a half-chance or a defensive error from the French, then that could be the away goal needed to open the tie up.
Instead of following the now cliched line of suggesting that the central midfield pairing of Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews are average players, those doubting this Irish team should look at established stars like Keane and Duff to deliver when it matters most.
Set-pieces could be key
Throughout the qualifying campaign Ireland have scored a lot of goals from set-pieces. It is an area where the team dominates and might be how they can find a way past French keeper Hugo Lloris.
With Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, John O'Shea, and Kevin Kilbane all able to use their height and upper body strength in these situations, every set-piece should be seen as an ideal opportunity to reignite the tie.
And defending set-pieces has also improved with every free-kick and corner in the first leg that France had being dealt with well by the Irish defence. So Trapattoni's men should look to set-pieces as a tactic to overpower Les Bleus and maybe grab a goal or two.
Prediction: France 0 Republic of Ireland 1 (with Ireland winning in extra-time)
