I cant believe people are defending dunphy and co.
Firstly, big Jack made a joke of Irelands most talented squad of players. We had a much stronger bunch of individual first teamers back then. Wont go into it as if you dont recognise this, you shouldnt be talking football,
Secondly, the squad players available to Ireland are very limited and 2nd-3rd seed material. Shay Given, Richard Dunne and Robbie Keane are our best players playing regular football for top teams. Mcgeady plays in Scotland (but is good IMO), O'Shea is a bit part player played everywhere for united, McShane is definantly one of the worst players in the team and plays for a relegation struggling team, Kilbane is a likable player who gives it 100%, whelan and andrews dont necessarily start for their clubs, Hunt and Doyle play in the championship.
Not really sure where all these top premier league players are that somebody mentioned. How many of Italys bench (let alone starting team) would oust some of our guys!
There appears to be a distinct lack of reality on the part of some Irish Fans. S.Ireland doesnt want to play for us, nothing to do with Trapp. Andy Reid took the pss on a factfinding tour, even if apologised and came back, it means we make be better going forward but most definantly would be more vunerable in defence. Lee Carsley, this is actually one of the few things I cant understand with Stephen Reid being unfit.
This group is very tight (highlighted by the few goals and many draws) and there is very little between all the teams (remember we got some of the hardest lower seeds out there as they have good players but were not seeded because they are fledgling teams).
The manager has us on track to get to the world cup with an organised, tough to beat team , with an average bunch of players. Most of the Italian team won the world cup, so how anybody can conveniently push this aside when debating how good they are is laughable.
In 94 and 2006 the Italian national team were seen as average Italian sides yet they both reached the final of the w.c. Same thing can be said of Germany in 2002 that were "the worst german team in living history". What that says is that these top teams always have more then the eye sees.
Trapp isnt perfect by any means, but he is the best manager Ireland has ever had . . . Had he Big Jacks team I really think we could of won a major tournie.