|
|
Why Ireland fans shouldn't get too carried away with James McClean's call-up
The Sunderland winger has managed to force his way, belatedly, into Giovanni Trapattoni's reckoning; staying there is his next challenge and it won't be easy
20 Feb 2012 13:52:00
Getty Images
COMMENT
By Ronan Murphy
The addition of Sunderland winger James McClean in the Ireland squad for the first time has been met with great positivity from Irish fans, and should keep Eamon Dunphy quiet for at least long enough to order a burger. McClean immediately posted a message on Twitter to announce his delight. However, McClean’s late call-up shouldn’t get fans dancing in the streets just yet.
Love him or hate him, Giovanni Trapattoni has done a fantastic job in getting Ireland to Euro 2012. His methods are the same ones he’s been using for 40 years of football management, and he’s definitely not going to change them now. Calling up McClean may silence some of his critics for a short time, but there’s a strong possibility they could be shouting twice as loud next Thursday.
Think back to October 2010, before Ireland continued their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign against Slovakia and Russia. Trap called up in-form Everton winger Seamus Coleman, who was just about to turn 22. Fans were delighted at his inclusion in the squad, and although he wasn’t thrown in at the deep end in either of the qualifiers, they remained patient. Coleman would get a run in the friendly against Norway in November, it was presumed.
Instead, Trap left Marc Wilson and Coleman on the bench, and the visitors scored a late winner to make it 2-1. Threads about the game on popular Irish football forums ybig.ie and foot.ie were filled with 'Trap hasn’t got a clue' comments, and conversation in pubs around the country was even more vitriolic.
We had to wait three more months to see Seamus Coleman actually take to the pitch in a green jersey, starting against Wales in the Carling Nations Cup, with Ciaran Clark also winning his first cap.
David Forde, Stephen Ward and Simon Cox also got their first run outs during the tournament, and Ward has made the most of Kevin Kilbane’s injury to make the left-back position his own. However, despite Cox starting against Armenia in Ireland’s last group game, the West Brom forward was benched for both play-off games, with Trapattoni preferring to stick to his tried and tested up front. Jon Walters may have started in the away leg, but had Kevin Doyle been available, the Wexford man would surely have got the nod.
It takes a long time for a player to establish himself under Giovanni Trapattoni. First comes a call-up, then a friendly, then a friendly, and another friendly or two, and if you’re lucky, you might get a short cameo in a competitive game as a substitute. Coleman and Wigan's James McCarthy first received call-ups two years ago, but have a total of seven caps between them, and neither is guaranteed a spot on the plane at Euro 2012.
Before thinking that James McClean’s call-up is something of a landmark for the Northern Ireland-born attacker, and that he’ll now win a place in the finals squad, you need to take a step back and look at Trapattoni’s form. McClean will hopefully be an important player in the World Cup 2014 qualifiers, but if I were him I’d bring my smartphone to the Aviva Stadium next Wednesday.
Hopefully he can tweet his delight at playing his first game, but with Trap at the helm, it’s more likely that he’ll need to use it to book his summer holidays after 90 minutes sitting on the sidelines.
Follow Ronan Murphy on
By Ronan Murphy
The addition of Sunderland winger James McClean in the Ireland squad for the first time has been met with great positivity from Irish fans, and should keep Eamon Dunphy quiet for at least long enough to order a burger. McClean immediately posted a message on Twitter to announce his delight. However, McClean’s late call-up shouldn’t get fans dancing in the streets just yet.
| Bet: | Returns: | HUN £27.00 | Draw £32.00 | Ireland £24.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | HUN £28.00 | Draw £29.00 | Ireland £23.80 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | HUN £29.00 | Draw £33.00 | Ireland £24.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | HUN £28.80 | Draw £33.00 | Ireland £24.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | HUN £31.00 | Draw £33.00 | Ireland £23.50 |
|
Love him or hate him, Giovanni Trapattoni has done a fantastic job in getting Ireland to Euro 2012. His methods are the same ones he’s been using for 40 years of football management, and he’s definitely not going to change them now. Calling up McClean may silence some of his critics for a short time, but there’s a strong possibility they could be shouting twice as loud next Thursday.
Think back to October 2010, before Ireland continued their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign against Slovakia and Russia. Trap called up in-form Everton winger Seamus Coleman, who was just about to turn 22. Fans were delighted at his inclusion in the squad, and although he wasn’t thrown in at the deep end in either of the qualifiers, they remained patient. Coleman would get a run in the friendly against Norway in November, it was presumed.
Instead, Trap left Marc Wilson and Coleman on the bench, and the visitors scored a late winner to make it 2-1. Threads about the game on popular Irish football forums ybig.ie and foot.ie were filled with 'Trap hasn’t got a clue' comments, and conversation in pubs around the country was even more vitriolic.
Better late than never | Derry-born winger has finally been included in Trap's plans
We had to wait three more months to see Seamus Coleman actually take to the pitch in a green jersey, starting against Wales in the Carling Nations Cup, with Ciaran Clark also winning his first cap.
David Forde, Stephen Ward and Simon Cox also got their first run outs during the tournament, and Ward has made the most of Kevin Kilbane’s injury to make the left-back position his own. However, despite Cox starting against Armenia in Ireland’s last group game, the West Brom forward was benched for both play-off games, with Trapattoni preferring to stick to his tried and tested up front. Jon Walters may have started in the away leg, but had Kevin Doyle been available, the Wexford man would surely have got the nod.
It takes a long time for a player to establish himself under Giovanni Trapattoni. First comes a call-up, then a friendly, then a friendly, and another friendly or two, and if you’re lucky, you might get a short cameo in a competitive game as a substitute. Coleman and Wigan's James McCarthy first received call-ups two years ago, but have a total of seven caps between them, and neither is guaranteed a spot on the plane at Euro 2012.
Before thinking that James McClean’s call-up is something of a landmark for the Northern Ireland-born attacker, and that he’ll now win a place in the finals squad, you need to take a step back and look at Trapattoni’s form. McClean will hopefully be an important player in the World Cup 2014 qualifiers, but if I were him I’d bring my smartphone to the Aviva Stadium next Wednesday.
Hopefully he can tweet his delight at playing his first game, but with Trap at the helm, it’s more likely that he’ll need to use it to book his summer holidays after 90 minutes sitting on the sidelines.
Follow Ronan Murphy on
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Make Your Prediction
Hungary - Republic of Ireland
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Hungary 1-2 Republic of Ireland
- 15.49 %
-
Hungary 0-1 Republic of Ireland
- 14.67 %
-
Hungary 0-2 Republic of Ireland
- 14.4 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
Introducing Italy's under-21s who will take on Ireland
Ireland's participation at the 2013 Uefa Under-19 European Championship is under threat as the Italians lead the way. Ryan Kelly profiles the Azzurrini
-
Focus, fitness & a good performance - What Giovanni Trapattoni is looking for
Ireland's on-field preparations for Euro 2012 end tonight in Budapest and the manager will want his team to head to Poland in optimum physical and mental shape
-
World Player of the Week: Ibrahim Afellay
The Netherlands winger was in great form against Slovakia and Northern Ireland, as he looks set to be an important player for the Oranje at Euro 2012
-
The 10 best-looking footballers at Euro 2012
Goal.com looks at 10 of the most dashing players who will be wooing the fans with more than just their skill and talent
-
Ireland Euro 2012 squad watch: Foley out, McShane in
It's been a controversial week in the Ireland camp with Trap dropping the Wolves man minutes before the Uefa-imposed deadline