2012 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING: Trapattoni is not going to change his tactics midstream

THROUGHOUT THE years Republic of Ireland teams have always been able to match the best sides in the world at home. Last Friday, the Russians categorically proved that is no longer the case. It is a tough pill to swallow but unless something dramatically changes in Slovakia tonight it will remain a cold, hard fact of life.

There is one possible lifeline to cling on to. Most Irish players, in contrast to their English counterparts, have reacted extremely well to a poor performance against quality opposition in the past.

The manner they responded to the flat display against France at Croke Park last year just a few days later in Paris is the obvious example. They were able to take a good look at themselves and the anger they felt came out in a positive manner which resulted in a hugely encouraging display – it was the best performance away from home for many years.

Only problem is Argentina and Russia have presented Slovakia with the blueprint on how to overrun the Giovanni Trapattoni system. Clever movement combined with pace will always pick it apart. Also, crowd the central midfielders because they lack the natural passing range to play their way out of trouble.

Aimless long balls will follow and now Kevin Doyle is lost through injury, possession will be even harder to retain.

Trapattoni doesn’t seem to have a Plan B. This is proven by the length of time it took him to change things around last Friday. All that happened at 3-0 was Richard Dunne was thrown forward, Aiden McGeady was shifted inside, as we tried to feed off high balls that continued to rain down from Shay Given.

We got lucky with Robbie Keane’s penalty, and Shane Long, who deserves his chance after Friday’s impressive cameo, took an opportunistic and scrappy goal to make it 3-2.

It is true that the Russians panicked a little when we threw everything at them but we never looked capable of building anything meaningful.

There is a column in itself about how we are going about unearthing the future wave of Irish talent and how it is hindering our progress at international level. Basically, big and strong young lads are preferred over technically gifted, yet smaller players.

The more progressive European nations – Spain, Holland and now Russia – are doing the exact opposite. The South Americans have always been this way. As a result, we have fallen miles behind the top tier countries in Europe and there is a strong argument to suggest we are losing focus on the second tier teams. Technically we are massively inferior.

I don’t believe Trapattoni, at this juncture in his long career, will abandon the way his Irish team is set up. The players fit the system. His system will not be fitted around individuals, regardless of their talent. We know who they are. This is established and has served the team well up to now.

I definitely think there is room for some tinkering to ensure we retain the ball for longer than one or two passes. That is our main problem.

It would mean leaving Glenn Whelan as the solitary defensive midfielder with Darron Gibson and Keith Fahey in front of him, and Robbie Keane as the lone striker with two playing off him.

This would allow a fit Kevin Doyle to be retained by using him wide right in a five-man midfield with McGeady on the other side and a serious option in Liam Lawrence off the bench. The full backs can still be encouraged to stay put so there is the defensive solidity that Trapattoni insists upon but we would have two men in the middle that can pass the ball while at least three players could get into the box when we counter-attack.

This is not to suggest that Whelan and Paul Green lack the bravery to get on the ball. There were clearly instructions for Given to go long at every opportunity. Everyone turned their backs. This was a tactical decision.

The problem was when we did pick up second ball off the long kick-outs the two holding men were unable to retain it.

I would have seen two draws as a decent return this week. Russia are a quality side who were in desperate need of a result while Slovakia away will always be tough.

After losing to Armenia, Slovakia now find themselves in a similar position to us except they have the benefit of home advantage.

If we fail to get a point tonight our chances of making the play-offs will recede. I have never sent a team out to play for a draw. Players cannot go out with that mentality. You must always seek to win a game. Ireland will, however, be set up to keep it tight.

There won’t be an overhaul in tactics in four days. It will be the same as it has worked on the road before. This time it must work without arguably our best player.

I don’t believe their confidence is shattered, mainly because the players saw how ordinary the Russians became once the work rate increased in the last 20 minutes.

Nobody gave this team any hope going to Paris. They are back in that situation again. Let’s just see how they react this time. Their pride has been severely dented. History has proven Irish teams react like men in such a situation.