SOCCER ANALYST:The system looked the same but there were some subtle and hopeful signs of a more adventurous approach by Trapattoni's men, writes BRIAN KERR
HEY, WHAT a surprise for us on Saturday. What with overlapping full backs and the advancing midfielders getting ahead of the ball, it was really decent to watch and I, like the other 37,000, enjoyed it. If the style of play was always like this, then we would be back to the full houses of previous eras.
From the manager’s point of view, things went almost perfectly, helped by the fact that Bosnia-Herzegovina presented little tactical challenge with a fairly safe 4-4-2 matching ours. Only the movement inside of wily captain Zvjezdan Misimovic and the clever Miralem Pjanic from the wings caused a problem as their full-backs advanced and took the attacking space.
For the first 20 minutes, until Richard Dunne made one of his many brilliant blocks on an Edin Dzeko shot, they caused us some problems, but after that Ireland generally controlled the game and should have won more easily than the scoreline suggested.
At the other end, neither Dzeko nor Vedad Ibisevic of Stuttgart seemed to have the desire for mortal combat, with Dunne and Darren O’Dea so keen to impose themselves.
Considering we’ve only had one friendly since qualification six months ago, the impact of this week’s training sessions was impressive. The system looked the same, but there were subtle and hopeful signs that some encouragement is being given to our full backs to get up in support of our wingers and overlap them at times – unless Stephen Ward and Paul McShane were disobeying orders.
All the players can be very happy with their individual contributions in what was an excellent team performance. Only the goals evaded us, apart from Shane Long’s fine header. One could gripe that Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane had very few actual attempts on goal, but both combined cleverly with Damien Duff, in particular, to set up some clear-cut chances. Jon Walters and Long’s physicality later added a new spice to the mix.
Doyle looked refreshed on his return to the Irish jersey, as did Ward after a difficult season with Wolves. Darron Gibson and James McClean had the most to prove and they too can be reasonably content. Although McClean’s second half was, understandably, less impressive, his first showed Giovanni Trapattoni why we wondered about his reluctance to select him.
In the first three minutes he dribbled a bit, played a one-two, and made a strong tackle. Yes, he needed more of the ball and to be trusted by the rest of the team, but he showed enough for me to be convinced he has it.
Gibson’s performance was somewhat mixed, some loose passes and some chances to shoot ignored. But there were also some smashing passes and his pirouette in midfield set the tone for a party-style last quarter.
If there was a threat to McGeady’s place, his reply was spectacular when he came on, delivering the crosses, dribbles, shots and passes his ability has always threatened. Rarely does a player get a deserved man-of-the-match for half a game, but in this case he may have just edged it over Dunne.
My plea for some build-up from the back was ignored as Keiren Westwood kicked his first nine balls long, but his first throw-out to Ward, after 43 minutes, led to our best move and almost a goal. He also made two fine saves from Pjanic for a deserved clean sheet.
Of the other defenders, O’Dea was sound. One wonders why a mediocre Leeds United have released him. That’s Neil Warnock for you. But while Ward did well overall, he was fortunate not to be punished for two missed tackles in the second half – no room for that in Poland. Paul McShane defended well when required.
I was really sorry to hear the sad news that Keith Fahey won’t make it to the finals. He misses out on what is every player’s dream. I’ve known Keith since he was a young lad and he has come through many difficult times, including having his contract cancelled by Aston Villa and even Drogheda United in recent years. But each time he has battled back and as he matured and his wonderful ability was harnessed at St Pat’s, he eventually got his move back to England. He’s a quiet, sensitive lad, he thinks and lives football, this is a difficult one for him. But I am sure he’ll bounce back again with the steely determination he’s shown over the years.
The party moves on in rude health. The players’ sharpness and confidence will have benefited from this outing, but they know stiffer challenges lie ahead. Much of Saturday’s game lacked the pace and bite of European Championship fare. Luka Modric, Darijo Srna, Ivica Olic and their buddies will be a different kettle of fish in Poznan. But this display gives reason for some optimism.
On a personal level, I’m delighted to see so many of the players I had the honour of working with achieve their ambition in getting to these finals. They are, to a man, special individuals at a time when many modern-day players invite spite. Courteous, clever and humble, they remember clearly where they came from and the clubs and volunteers who helped get them where they are.
In many ways they are a team of the people and the game of soccer in Ireland – north, south, east and west, and some of the wider diaspora. The Irish nation has yet to truly embrace them as they did Jack and Mick’s Armies, but I hope their time comes and they enjoy the reverence afforded those teams. This lot deserve it even more.
