Beating Montenegro would cap off fine campaign

posted: 13-Oct-2009
Giovanni Trapattoni
Say what you want about the way the Republic of Ireland play under Giovanni Trapattoni, but you can't knock what he has achieved with this team. Going into their final World Cup qualifier, they are still unbeaten and have a place in the play-offs secured. Not bad going at all.

Of course, there is disappointment that they couldn't hang on to clinch a win against Italy, although did they really deserve to take the three points? What people should be focusing on is the fact that Ireland were in a position to topple the world champions.

If Ireland can beat Montenegro on Wednesday evening, they will finish Group 8 on 20 points thanks to five wins and five draws. Coming through the qualifying unbeaten would be a massive achievement considering the pool of players available to Trapattoni and how low the team had slumped under previous regimes.

While most will have already turned their attention towards Monday's play-off draw, this final qualifier is important for Ireland as it allows them to keep their good run going, play well in front of a home crowd, and stamp out some of the mistakes that were made in the last outing.

A big night for.......

Shay Given and Kevin Kilbane. 100 caps each, if they play. They deserve every plaudit that will flow their way over the next week or so.

Liam Miller. After being released by QPR earlier in the summer, the 28-year-old has gone through a lot. Trapattoni stood by him throughout the period when he was unemployed, but now that he is playing regularly for Hibernian and should replace the suspended Glenn Whelan on Wednesday, it is time to repays the faith shown in him by the Irish boss with an assured performance.

Martin Rowlands. Is he good enough to stay in the Ireland squad? Can he nudge Darron Gibson out of the way in the pecking order? Time for him to show the Irish fans why Trapattoni rates him so highly.

Ireland's player of the campaign

Who would you rate as Ireland's best performer in this qualifying campaign?

My vote goes to Glenn Whelan...........post your comment below if you agree on this choice or if you would select someone else.
 
Add a commentBookmarkPrint BlogEmail Blog
Report Violation

Comments (3)

  • Oct-15 - backofthenet — My first time posting here, so first of all.......great blog Gareth. I dont think there is any other good irish football blog on the net. Anyway.....my vote for player of the campaign would be Dunne. But I see why Whelan has impressed people.
  • Oct-14 - Cedthehead — In terms of consistency Glenn would also get my vote, Gareth. A number players showed glimpses of what they're capable of on their day - Hunty, Robbie and McGeady spring to mind. But it's a solid and reliable performer that you can build your team around it has to be Glenn. The goal against the Italians was one of the best and cleanly hit stikes I've seen an Irish player score in years. A win tonight will instill a little more belief if nothing else.
  • Oct-14 - bohsman — Richard Dunne has been our best player. And I totally agree with you about this being a good campaign for Ireland......bring on the PLAYOFFS!!!!
Login to Add Comment

Get RSS!
Subscribe to this Blog

Blogger Bio
garethmaher

 

Gareth Maher is one of the leading football journalists in Ireland, who writes regularly for the Irish Daily Mail and Sunday Tribune, and lives, breathes, and sleeps Irish soccer.

 

Here, in his exclusive blog for Ireland.com, he tackles all of the major issues concerning Irish football, both at home and abroad.

 

By using his experience of covering Giovanni Trapattoni's team and his in-depth knowledge of the League of Ireland, he will be able to provide thought-provoking arguments, insightful opinions, and honest reviews on the latest happenings in the Irish game.

 

Check out his website www.garethmaher.com to read more of his writing, but don't miss his latest must-read blog entries here on Ireland.com every week.

Blog Calendar
«November 2009»
SMTWTFS
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293012345

© Ireland.com 2009

At Ireland.com, we encourage a fair exchange of views, opinions and responsible comments. We will not post any comments that are antisocial or that are personal attacks. Comments of this nature will be removed: we'll be monitoring the site but if you do see something objectionable then you can report it to us. We will at our discretion block users who violate the Ireland.com terms of use.