It's Not Trap, It's Me

"Lads I've got a very bad feeling," I said, seconds before Austria strode up the field and David Alaba broke Irish hearts with his equaliser confining Ireland to a 2-2 draw.

It wasn't a particularly bad performance. Sure, the quality isn't there. Inexperienced at leading from the front and incapable of kicking the ball towards the corner flag or, seemingly, just kicking the ball to each other, as the clock hit 90 minutes Ireland appeared to have won the Irish way: with heart and a bit of inspiration. That inspiration came from the magnificent Shane Long and the tireless efforts of John Walters, the heart came from a young side determined to prove the doubters wrong.

The goal should've been one of the shared heart-wrenching moments that galvanise a fanbase. Yet when it went in, I wasn't even sad. When Ciarán Clark gave the ball away to concede the first, I laughed. I want to care, but I can't anymore.

Watching Ireland these days feels like being in a relationship that's gone sour. At times, there are glimmers of the side you first fell in love with, but most of the time what you see just angers you or gives you that sinking feeling that it's over. When things start to go wrong, you try and ignore it, make excuses for them and pray that it's just a temporary blip. That things will go back to normal any day now. And yet every time you see them, it just confirms what you already felt and that sinking feeling fills your stomach all over again. It was during Euro 2012 when I realised that I had fallen out of love with the Irish team.

I haven't got any bad blood towards them, I can still remember the good times: the joy of landing a legendary manager like Giovanni Trapattoni, playing the Italians off the park in Bari and Croker, then doing the same in France only to be grievously wronged, the 14-game unbeaten streak...but I can't go on. I need a fresh start. Having to start a national campaign every time an eligible player is on fire for the league but can't break into Trapattoni's plans was one of those flaws you found a bit endearing at first (because things worked back then), now it's just tiresome and isn't even working. Wes Holohan's club performances speak for themselves. Not picking him at this stage is borderline gross misconduct from Trap.

Even the 'good times' these days are tainted. Well, we call them 'good', but what we really mean is 'not that shit'. Our most positive performance since the Euros saw us still unable to get a shot on target. Last night's 'must-win' game unveiled what seemed to be an allergic reaction to seeing the game out. 

Our tactics are backwards, a relic of the age old Italian style but lacking the quality of the Italian greats to carry out those orders. We struggle when asked to lead from the front and make mountains out of molehills against minnows like Kazakhstan. We're at our most comfortable when a team is coming at us and we have time to set up our defence for a break. There's nothing wrong with a defensive/counter-attacking style, Real Madrid may win the Champions League this year with a similar set-up, but when we can't cope with counter-attacks ourselves and struggle to find a finishing touch...what have we got?

It's time to pull the plug with Trap and move onto a new chapter. I want to be excited again. I don't even mind if we don't qualify for Brazil 2014, I just want a bit of hope and optimism.

Let's not let current frustration cloud our long-term judgement of him, ultimately he's still taken us to our first major competition in a decade. And when his rigid system worked, it worked well. 

But it's not working anymore. And it's just painful for all involved to realise that with each passing heartbreak. Well, it's not painful for me. I'm just numb towards the whole thing now.

This Week's Bets:

We're going back to an old favourite here, with a busy week of sport ahead. Except instead of a 7-for-7 (for new readers that's 7 bets over the next 7 days), we're going with picks from the next 8 days and putting two bets worth a total of €10 on said picks. One €2 accumulator and a Sevenfold from 8 with 8x€1 stakes.

(Picks in CAPS)

Wednesday 27th March 

NBA: MIAMI HEAT (@ 5/12) @ Chicago Bulls

I don't know if Miami's streak (currently at 27 games) can withstand a visit to San Antonio on Sunday (live on Sky), but I'm picking LeBron to keep it alive until then.

Thursday 28th March

PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS: Simon Whitlock vs. Robert Thornton - DRAW (@ 7/2)

Friday 29th March

LIGUE 1: PARIS SG (@ 11/20) vs. Montpellier

Saturday 30th March

PREMIER LEAGUE: Sunderland vs. MAN UTD (@ 8/13)

A return to form is due for RVP, who said this week that he may finish his career with United. With the league almost sewn up and only the FA Cup left to play for, back them all the way to the finish line.

Sunday 31st March

LA LIGA: ATLETICO MADRID (@ 3/4) vs. Valencia 

Atletico may have let 2nd spot slip, but Falcao will be determined to regain it with Real's attention switching back to the Champions League next week.

Monday 1st April

PREMIER LEAGUE: FULHAM (@ 10/11) vs. Queen's Park Rangers

Tuesday 2nd April

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Paris SG vs. BARCELONA (@ 4/6)

Ibra will want revenge on his old employers, but methinks Barca have had their Champions League slip-up for the season already. It's still a must-watch though.

Wednesday 3rd April

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: REAL MADRID (@ 2/11) vs. Galatasaray

Mourinho and Ronaldo aren't letting the Champions League slip away now, and Galatasaray was a dream draw for them. 

Rick Nash is a former pro-wrestler who currently DJs for hire, makes piss-poor sports bets and has a community radio show. Altogether, he's a real bum, and you should be ashamed of yourself if you thought this piece was in any way insightful or entertaining. But still, follow him on Twitter and stuff.