Ireland Versus Kazakhstan - Ireland's Road to Nowhere

Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies - Robert Kennedy

There is an air of depression surrounding the Irish football team at the moment. It is easy to understand why. A horrible trip to Kazakhstan is hardly the first competitive match the country wants to see. This especially after a demoralising Euro 2012 campaign.

Trapattoni's career as Irish manager has been a fascinating one. At the moment he is getting hammered by the media. However it has not been all bad. When he took over Ireland was at its lowest ebb in over 20 years. They were being hammered by Cyprus and stumbling past San Marino. Quite frankly the team was a bit of an embarrassment at the time.

That all changed with the introduction of Trapattoni though. He brought a structure and solidity to the team. They were if nothing else hard to beat. It was not pretty but it was effective. Indeed they were unfortunate to miss out on the 2010 World Cup where they may have had more of an impact with the greater number of teams involved.

However after the brave performance against France in Paris many waited for Ireland to develop their game further. This did not happen. Qualification was secured somewhat unconvincingly for Euro 2012. Hope had gripped the nation though.

Sadly that hope turned to despair as Croatia and Spain in particular tore us asunder. The final game against Italy also proved too much as they powered past Ireland 2-0.

So here we are once again preparing for another campaign. It is hard not to believe that Trapattoni's race is now run. His tactics at the outset of his time in charge were fine as Ireland had to re-establish themselves. But now the core of that team are gone or on the way out. In the meantime it is clear that the younger brigade of this Irish team are not a fan of Trapattoni.

This is easily highlighted by the withdrawal of Darron Gibson from the squad, Shane Long's withdrawal from the Serbia friendly, not to mention Kevin Foley's treatment at the Euros.

His team selection is also a little baffling. There is no justification for starting Shane Cox on the wing ahead of James McClean. Cox, who is not a bad player, is a Championship striker. McClean is one of the most in form left wingers in the Premiership.

Added to this Shane Long has been in excellent form all year for West Brom, yet he cannot find a place in the starting eleven. It is hard to hold out hope for this particular campaign with the likes of Germany and Sweden also involved.

Sadly Trapattoni is too set in his ways for Ireland to progress. He is not a radical manager in the sense that he does not give youth its head or the kind of manager who always has a trick up his sleeve. He is totally set and predictable in his ways.

His faith and belief in his tactics restored pride and hope to a team that was on its knees. Entering his third tournament as Irish manager if he continues with those ways he might send the Irish team back where he found them.