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Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni watches on as his side play the Faroe Islands. INPHO/James Crombie
Optimism

6 positives that can be taken from Ireland’s summer fixtures

The side’s recent games have ultimately been a worthwhile experience.

1. Trap is slowly beginning to place his faith in creative players

Giovanni Trapattoni is commonly regarded as one of the most stubborn and single-minded managers working in football today. However, in recent weeks, he has shown an uncharacteristic willingness to reassess previously held convictions. Having snubbed Wes Hoolahan for the England friendly and suggested that he lacks the physical attributes the Italian believes are needed for international football, he proceeded to pick him for the Georgia game, and more significantly, he handed the Norwich man his first competitive start against the Faroe Islands. Hoolahan impressed on both occasions, and Trap consequently hinted he was likely to figure more prominently in his plans in the future. Moreover, the fact that he was willing to give another player in the Hoolahan mould, Stephen Quinn, an entire half of football against Spain, adds to the belief that the Ireland coach is finally beginning to embrace the idea of accommodating a creative footballer in the middle of the field.

2. Robbie Keane’s decline has been exaggerated

Robbie Keane’s consistently lifeless displays at Euro 2012 led many to suspect that the 32-year-old-striker was past it. Nevertheless, even the best forwards in the world would have struggled to make an impact if put in an Irish team that seemed inept in effectively every position for those three disastrous games last year. Keane’s hat-trick against the Faroe Islands and his brace against Georgia illustrated why he still has a role to play in Trap’s team. Although he lacks the acceleration and energy of old, his footballing intelligence, leadership skills and impeccable off-the-ball movement are as strong as ever, and will surely come in handy for future fixtures. Were we a rich footballing nation such as Spain or Germany, Ireland could afford to ditch the LA Galaxy man, however the lack of superior alternatives means Keane deserves a place on the bench at the very least in the forthcoming qualifiers against Austria and Sweden.

3. There’s life in Richard Dunne yet

(Ireland’s Richard Dunne returns – INPHO/Donall Farmer)

Until recently, the last 12 months had been nothing short of an unmitigated disaster for Richard Dunne. The normally rock-solid defender was uncharacteristically ineffectual over the course of Ireland’s Euro 2012 campaign. Injuries then prevented him from registering even a single appearance for his club Aston Villa this season, with Dunne ultimately having to endure the ignominy of being released from his contract. While he has undoubtedly much work to do still if he is to recapture anything approaching his best form, not least finding an appropriate club at a decent level, his substitute appearance against Georgia was a step in the right direction. Of the old guard, Dunne is surely the player who Ireland can least afford to lose. Robbie Keane’s waning powers have been offset by Shane Long’s steady development into an accomplished striker, James McClean could potentially fill the void left by Damien Duff and even David Forde’s consistent excellence has tempered the blow of Shay Given’s retirement. Yet game-changing defensive errors against both England and Spain highlighted why Ireland remain in desperate need of an assured and commanding centre half such as Dunne.

4. Ireland can pose a genuine threat against the big sides

Euro 2012 led many critics to reiterate the opinion that Ireland can no longer compete with, or pose a genuine threat to, the top sides in international football; so obvious was the chasm in class in all their games at the tournament. Nevertheless, against England and for the first 68 minutes of the Spain match, Trap’s side’s gutsiness was in marked contrast to their Euros woe. While the fact that these games were friendlies should be taken into consideration, both opponents fielded strong teams and looked far from disinterested. The presence of the energetic James McCarthy rather than the all-too-often leaden-footed Glenn Whelan undoubtedly made a difference, as did the selection of David Forde rather than a half fit Shay Given.

Yet, most importantly, Ireland demonstrated a hunger and tireless work rate, in comparison with the conspicuously meek approach they invariably adopted in Poland last summer – the demoralising effects of which reached their zenith in the home World Cup qualifier against Germany back in October. Accordingly, the fist pump by Shane Long amid the final whistle against England epitomised an Irish side with a newfound level of determination and confidence. Granted though, they have performed admirably in high-profile friendlies before, only to disappoint when it matters, so the Sweden and Austria games will be the true test of the Irish mettle.

5. Seamus Coleman is beginning to look like Ireland’s best right-back since Steve Finnan

Unfortunately, up until recently, Seamus Coleman has been denied a sustained run of games in an Irish shirt, with Trapattoni previously opting to place his faith in the more experienced John O’Shea. Yet one of the few positives emanating from Richard Dunne’s long-term injury was the opportunity it gave Coleman, with O’Shea reverting to centre-back. The Everton man has grasped this chance with aplomb, to such an extent that not selecting him to start is now virtually unthinkable, whereas he couldn’t even make the squad for the Euros 12 months ago. Ireland’s summer matches have confirmed Coleman’s status as an integral member of the team, particularly his Man-of-the-Match display at Wembley, in which he easily outshone his England counterpart Glen Johnson. Finally, therefore, Ireland seem to have a full-back of the calibre of past top class players in the position such as Denis Irwin or Steve Finnan.

6. Trapattoni’s PR skills appear to have improved

One of the most grave and recurring criticisms of the Trapattoni regime has been the veteran coach’s player management and especially, his tendency to deride the team or specific individuals publicly. Yet in recent weeks, the Italian has ostensibly made an effort to put a more positive spin on his side’s ability. Whereas in the past, he has called Shane Long “idiotic” and infamously bemoaned the fact that “we are Ireland,” he has of late expressed disbelief that Conor Sammon isn’t playing for a Premier League club and called Robbie Keane “one of the best players in Europe”. While he is arguably exaggerating on both those points, there is no harm in such flattery, with many successful managers such as Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho regularly also offering gushing tributes relating to their players’ perceived abilities. What’s certain is that these comments are infinitely preferable to his past habit of emphasising Ireland’s limitations and general inclination to make remarks that could potentially serve to unduly harm player morale.

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