Who ever said Giovanni Trapattoni was conservative in bringing in new faces?
That may be a bit of an overstatement but at Craven Cottage on Friday night one might say we saw phase 2 of Trapattoni’s grand plan for Ireland.
A defence awash with new faces and debutants in midfield and up front made for some interesting viewing.
This excercise can be deemed a success, Sean St Ledger finally made his debut after three years of hanging around this squad. The same can be said for Liam Lawrence after his first call-up came in 2006. Impressive also were Eddie Nolan and Kevin Foley as they made their claims to the two full-back roles and heaven knows we do need a few new faces in defence.
Steve Finnan’s absence along with Kevin Kilbane’s ever increasing years mean that Ireland’s back four will be in serious need of reconstruction over the next two years and, with Trapattoni sounding out the possibility of an extended stay, the debuts of three new defenders on Friday gives us an impression of what the future might hold. St Ledger’s assured performance has given rise to rumours that he will keep his place for next Saturday’s crucial assignment in Sofia, leaving John O’ Shea to cover at right back. If this does transpire then it is a gamble but it may be worth taking. Paul McShane, hard working and tenacious as he is, is a liability at full back and has been tied to the Sunderland bench for most of 2009. St Ledger has been a consistent performer in the Championship while O’ Shea has played right back in the Champions League Final .
In midfield Lawrence lacks the energy to tear up and down the line for ninety minutes so one must expect the return of Duff and McGeady or indeed Hunt to the wide positions. Caleb Folan will start up front if fit, leaving Leon Best on the bench after a solid debut. The call-up of Best must certainly spell the end for the likes of Clinton Morrison and Stephen Elliot who have yet to appear under the new regime and were quite bluntly cast aside by Steve Staunton as he sought out scapegoats for his debacles.
Interesting too is Paddy Kenny’s absence, one might assume through holidays, as Colin Doyle and Wayne Henderson were called up to replace Westwood and Kiely with the former getting married and the latter having an ‘angry ant’ phase.
Given, Kenny, and Westwood are most certainly Ireland’s best options but then again this management team were never about picking the best players but the best team. If the cost of getting to South Africa is having to watch Liam Miller win more caps than league appearances then so be it.
That process continues unabated next Saturday in what will be the most crucial of tests. By Saturday night we could well be dreaming.
Talk of the Town’s XI
Given, St Ledger, O’ Shea, Dunne, Kilbane, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Keane, Folan.
Who ever said Giovanni Trapattoni was conservative in bringing in new faces?
That may be a bit of an overstatement but at Craven Cottage on Friday night one might say we saw phase 2 of Trapattoni’s grand plan for Ireland.
A defence awash with new faces and debutants in midfield and up front made for some interesting viewing.
This excercise can be deemed a success, Sean St Ledger finally made his debut after three years of hanging around this squad. The same can be said for Liam Lawrence after his first call-up came in 2006. Impressive also were Eddie Nolan and Kevin Foley as they made their claims to the two full-back roles and heaven knows we do need a few new faces in defence.
Steve Finnan’s absence along with Kevin Kilbane’s ever increasing years mean that Ireland’s back four will be in serious need of reconstruction over the next two years and, with Trapattoni sounding out the possibility of an extended stay, the debuts of three new defenders on Friday gives us an impression of what the future might hold. St Ledger’s assured performance has given rise to rumours that he will keep his place for next Saturday’s crucial assignment in Sofia, leaving John O’ Shea to cover at right back. If this does transpire then it is a gamble but it may be worth taking. Paul McShane, hard working and tenacious as he is, is a liability at full back and has been tied to the Sunderland bench for most of 2009. St Ledger has been a consistent performer in the Championship while O’ Shea has played right back in the Champions League Final .
In midfield Lawrence lacks the energy to tear up and down the line for ninety minutes so one must expect the return of Duff and McGeady or indeed Hunt to the wide positions. Caleb Folan will start up front if fit, leaving Leon Best on the bench after a solid debut. The call-up of Best must certainly spell the end for the likes of Clinton Morrison and Stephen Elliot who have yet to appear under the new regime and were quite bluntly cast aside by Steve Staunton as he sought out scapegoats for his debacles.
Interesting too is Paddy Kenny’s absence, one might assume through holidays, as Colin Doyle and Wayne Henderson were called up to replace Westwood and Kiely with the former getting married and the latter having an ‘angry ant’ phase.
Given, Kenny, and Westwood are most certainly Ireland’s best options but then again this management team were never about picking the best players but the best team. If the cost of getting to South Africa is having to watch Liam Miller win more caps than league appearances then so be it.
That process continues unabated next Saturday in what will be the most crucial of tests. By Saturday night we could well be dreaming.
Talk of the Town’s XI
Given, St Ledger, O’ Shea, Dunne, Kilbane, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Keane, Folan.
Posted in Comment, Republic of Ireland