Source: Daily_Mail
COLIN YOUNG: Ireland persist with Ireland when Reid could replace Reid
I'm on my way to Ireland today and not many incomprehensible Giovanni Trapattoni press conferences ago, the flight from Newcastle to Dublin would have been bursting with players from Sunderland and Newcastle.
Nowadays even the one remaining decent Irishman from the North East can't get on the flight, and for reasons known only to the legendary Italian, Andy Reid's chances of being on the Irish squad's flight to South Africa looked very limited at the moment.
Steven Reid has pulled out, so Trapattoni has called up Championship player Martin Rowlands. Oh dear. The Trap door is closed for Reid. But it should be reopened now.
That Ireland are even within a chance to reaching next summer's World Cup Finals, is of course largely down to the 72-year-old former Italy coach who has proved very good value for his £2 million a year salary, which was last month extended for the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
They seriously struggled in the previous European Championships under Stephen Staunton, while Brian Kerr proved he simply wasn't up to succeeding Mick McCarthy, the last manager to take Ireland to major finals.
Like McCarthy, Trapattoni has relied on organisation and instilled an excellent team spirit, despite his limited English. They are not particularly pretty to watch, but they are hard to beat, as Italy discovered when Ireland drew in Bari in April.
On home territory, Trapattoni thrived in the spotlight, far outshining poor Marcello Lippi, who was struggling enough to keep the home crowd on his side after refusing to select local hero Antonio Cassano. Trap also pulled off a result which no one could have expected before his appointment.
So who could possibly argue with the man who has transformed Ireland and given a desperate nation the hope of returning to the world stage? The odd spat on a remote Japanese island aside, Ireland tend to enjoy their World Cup Finals.
He has been helped by the formidable form of Robbie Keane, who has added five more to take his Irish record to 40 in 92 games, but also got the best out of players who have been making occasional rather than regular club appearances.
Although his hands are tied by the lack of numbers playing in England's top leagues, especially regularly, Trapattoni spotted the talents of Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Paul McShane, Caleb Folan and Darron Gibson and nurtured them for the big stage. All five have played their part with major contributions in important matches.
And that is impressive as Trapattoni has done most of his scouting from his living room in Milan, religiously absorbing action from England on dvds, scouring his many scouts' reports, and then making the odd visit to England. Fabio Capello wouldn't get away with it, but not enough people in Dublin are complaining. And Ireland are doing better, so who cares?
Sunderland fans care. And Andy Reid clearly cares. The midfielder would now admit he was overweight and miserable when he was first overlooked by Trapattoni a year ago, but his devotion to losing the excess baggage this summer, shows he was prepared to address the issues.
He still wants to play for his country, unlike Stephen Ireland, the Manchester City midfielder who refuses to even contemplate the idea because it plays havoc with his complicated family life, but who Trapattoni and his staff persists in trying to bring back into a fold which is alien to him. At least publicly. The sooner they admit they have been wasting their time, and closing the door for good, the better.
Andy Reid is the next best thing to Stephen Ireland for Ireland. He has been in terrific form for Sunderland after his drastic weight loss, he has thrived in Steve Bruce's faith, which has forced the Sunderland manager to play Kieran Richardson at left-back, and he has an imaginative and pinpoint range of passing which would be welcome in most sides, particularly Ireland's.
Last year Trapattoni insisted his omission was down to form and fitness and his grumpiness. It had nothing, we were assured by the FAI, to do with a stand-up late-night row between the pair after the forlorn Reid had sat out the excellent opening qualifying win in Germany over Georgia.
Reid was even selected for the squad after the Georgia match, then dropped when the story emerged of the blows which were alleged to have been exchanged, and Reid packing his bags before he was persuaded by team-mates to travel to Montenegro - where he remained on the bench.
When he was again left out last month, and the unattached Liam Miller was called up for the win in Cyprus and friendly against South Africa, Reid was fighting for his place under Bruce. But his impressive performances as substitute quickly earned the public backing of his manager and chairman Niall Quinn, who of course has his own selfish interest in Ireland's success.
Leaving him out of the original 27 this month was bad enough, but to bring in 30-year-old Rowlands, who has just three caps, is stubborn beyond belief, and grossly unfair on Reid.
The Dubliner and the Irish public deserve an explanation. Of course I wasn't in the luxury Wiesbaden hotel when Trapattoni and Reid clashed, so it is easier for me to judge, but my understanding from the many accounts is that Reid was in the wrong place at the wrong time and didn't even want to be there in the first place.
And surely if Trapattoni is so willing to keep the door open for a player who lied to escape the burden of representing his country, and refuses to wear the green shirt, unlike every other Irishman, he can consider reconciliation with a player he doesn't yet understand. As for his mood, bar doing a five-minute stand-up slot on RTE's The Late Late Show, what can he do and is it really that important?
Today Trapattoni will meet the press for the first time before Saturday's home clash with Italy. The Reid question will be his first. His answer will be fascinating.
It would be nice to hear him say Andy Reid still has a chance to be part of this World Cup adventure, because they will need him.
If they record a win over the Italians, who are group leaders, or Montenegro, who visit Croke Park next Wednesday, they are in the play-offs. There are some potential nightmares in prospect next month, although winnable games, also. And after that, South Africa.
