Jon Walters likely to start against Spain
Stoke City striker Jonathan Walters looks set to partner Robbie Keane in attack as the Republic of Ireland try to resurrect their Euro 2012 campaign against Spain on Thursday.
Kevin Doyle did well alongside Keane in the 3-1 defeat to Croatia, but Giovanni Trapattoni has hinted that he may change things against the World Champions at Gdansk. “Jonathan has shown us that with his physical strength the way he can help both the strikers and the midfield,” Trapattoni told reporters. “Spain are technically superior on the pitch and maybe I can change things to react to them, not because of the performances in the first game.
“Maybe, after reflection, I can maybe change one player. But it would be out of necessity because of Spain’s superior technique not because the player replaced has performed badly. We can adapt ourselves with players we have. Remember [Andy] Keogh against Italy? The idea is that the second striker can also help midfield. So we just use somebody differently. Maybe Jonathan can show us this situation. His physical strength is a factor. That is one idea. But there are also others who can do the double job. For example. Cox is one who can help. I will think more about what is the best option.”
However, Trapattoni is unlikely to drop record goalscorer Keane, despite the Los Angeles Galaxy forward disappointing on Sunday. “Keane is a very important player for us,” said Trapattoni. “Not only is he our captain but he has personality, gives us time on the ball and the opponent has respect for him. Robbie plays with experience. He thinks about what happens. Also in this situation we need strength. We know this.”
The Ireland manager is positive his side can cause an upset, and told his players that they can beat Spain. “I reminded them of what they did to achieve this qualification and also how well they have played against important teams, like Italy,” he said. “I reminded them we deserved to achieve this qualification. We have the good quality, our quality. Maybe we don’t have the creativity of other teams but we are here in the Euros with our qualities.
“We must continue to believe because no one team is always superior to another. In 90 minutes anything can happen. I have to give them the opportunity for redemption now. Of course, they are disappointed but they have to believe. We must think about this. We have 90 minutes and 90 minutes still to play. And usually our team plays its best against the famous teams.”
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ffs crapatoni strikes again
Hell he may as well play green in goal and st ledger as an out and out striker
NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!
Trapp has fast tracked his application for Irish citizenship and has decided he will play himself as a holding midfield player v Spain. He was quoted on sky sports news as saying
“OK I old in leg but not so old in hed…Irish midfield need me for big gameo…They need Italian Stallion to play like lion!…I trained now today and I good to play full 90 minute ”
Come on Ireland, 2-1 to us v Spain! Despite Trapp not because of him
Too much pissing and moaning this week. We’re not England for christ’s sake!
Come on Ireland!
Doesn’t matter who plays, we’re going to win anyway!
@ John
The pissing and moaning is TOTALLY justified!
Are we at the euros to make up the numbers???
Are we at the euros to employ the worst tactics and worst line up available????
Im behind us all the way and praying for a miracle in our last 2 games…Trapp has NO idea tactic / line up wise.
I’m hoping that we play with passion as that has always been one of our strengths.
If Walters does play I’d love to him score a hat trick! but you know what Long is a Long way ahead of him and should be given the full 90 against Spain not frigging Walters. A premiership jorneyman striker who like Doyle can hold the ball up but goes to pieces in front of goal!
i realy dont see everyones problem with walters
Walters use chest – buy time. Walters no like tika taka. Walters sit on ball.
Doyle wasn’t the problem, he actually had a decent game when it came to him. Once again ignoring the real problems, I’m hoping for Italy and Croatia to draw, Spain beat Croatia, then we beat Italy. Not likely though.
So much pissing and moaning. We’re Ireland, fellas, the chances of getting out of this group were always going to be slim. Hope for a win or draw against Spain and Croatia to destroy Italy.
I like Walters. His hold-up play is good and it’ll give Keane someone to run off of.
It’s a disgrace that Walters and Cox are ahead of Long and Doyle. Walters is not a goal threat and his hold up play is not any better than Doyle’s. Doyle was perfectly fine against Hungary and Croatia and he still gets dogs abuse. How many goals does Walters have for Stoke and Ireland?
Doyle isn’t the problem. Trapattoni is the problem. Too old. Need a younger manager to bring Coleman, McClean, McCarthy, Gibson, Wilson, Clark and Stokes through.
Whats pisses me off most is that Crapp is constantly talking about how much quality Ireland lack. We have loads of good players. Thing is he doesn’t pick many of them in his squads. We are way better than this deluded dinosaur says.
Every formation we have is all about containment and hoping to get lucky on the counter.
Like I said earlier in the post we didn’t get to the euros to make up the numbers.
The sooner this idiot goes the better so that we can get a manager with balls as well as tactical nous.
Anyhow come on Ireland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe I’m totally insane but I have a feeling we’re going to win v Spain don’t ask me why.
Again it will be despite Crapp and not because of him.
hmm well clearly I am totally insane!
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