Wheres me jumpa

Cyprus is team that will always be a sore spot for all Irish football fans. The 5-2 defeat in Cyprus was a damaging result at the time and continues to haunt us. Going into this game we all knew it was going to be tough. Apart from being a bogey team, they have some decent players. They have also caused problems for Italy in this group already.

Darren Gibson was the major talking point going into game. The inexperienced United midfielder getting the nod ahead of Andy Reid and even Liam Miller. A big surprise but there is a certain amount of trust being shown in Trapps decisions so far.

To the game myself and Trilla went, positioning ourselves in the Davin Stand. We were barely in our seats when Robbie Keane opened the scoring. Great start and we expected the team to push on. Unfortunatley that didnt happen. Ireland seemed to fall back on themselves and Cyprus came more and more into it.

But for bursts from McGeady and Duff there was little to be optimistic about. Cyprus had some good chances in the game, Given and Dunne ensured they were not nestling in the net. It was a very nervy end to the game. A second goal would have killed it off but it just never looked like coming. Relief at the final whistle and a chance to dissect what we had seen.

Trapp is definitely insistent on playing with two holding midfielders. Gibson or Whelan never really got forward. I dont beleive this was nerves or lack of confidence, I believe they were under instructions to sit. At times it was bizarre how they didnt make an attempt to get forward with certain attacks.

Kilbane and McShane in the full back positions also failed to get forward. This was understandable from McShanes point of view as he was a stand in right back and perhaps didnt want taking chances. Kilbane however is likely to be our left back for the campaign and he really failed to support Duff or McGeady ahead of him. Again, I believe this was the instructions they were given.

Keane and Doyle worked their socks off up front. One of the best performances I have seen from Robbie Keane for Ireland in recent years. So we had two forwards really up for it, two wingers causing problems but no support from central midfield or full backs. It’s no wonder we didnt kill the game off with this approach.

Having said that, we got the result. We are in an excellent position in the group. A friendly to come and plenty of time to prepare for our next competitive game. As long as the results keep coming I will be happy. But I cant help but feel that a bad result could open the flood gates in terms of criticism. The Andy Reid issue is a topic that has raised some questions but with results going well, the manager looks to be making the right decisions. Bad results and suddenly he is making the wrong decisions.

The match is also being discussed here:

• Waffle
• Trilla