Trapattoni has announced although impressed by Wes Hoolahan in Wednesday’s friendly against Poland that the Italian believes Ireland must play with two strikers in the world cup qualifiers and Hoolahans role does not fit in to that style.
The Norwich man came on as a sub and scored an excellent goal in Ireland’s 2-0 victory over Poland.
Doubts over Wes Hoolahan’s involvement in the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Sweden in March, are sure to cause a stir among Irish supporters as he seems to create excellent plays and is in top form at club level.
Trapattoni spoke of the situation to the Irish times:
“We know [Wes] Hoolahan very well, but we need two strikers and at his club he plays with just one.”
He continued: “We have seen him many times for his club and he always plays well but it is in this position. Club football is not international football, psychologically, it is different and we cannot let the opponents think that we are afraid.
“We do not know how Sweden will play against us but they will be confident and there might be space. Shane Long is fast, he can play well and give us strong options out wide.”
The former Juventus coach also praised Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark, who opened the scoring for the Boys in Green at the Aviva Stadium.
“Clark is good,” said Trapattoni. “Last year he was not playing so much at Aston Villa but he’s strong, confident, can head the ball and he is a good passer of the ball.”
He added: “It’s not easy when there is pressure but I talked with the centre backs and I told them there are times when you don’t need to take the ball. You can wait because the striker must do something and tonight Clark showed that he is getting more experienced.”
Meanwhile, Trapattoni believes that Derby County midfielder Jeff Hendrick ‘can get better’ after impressing on his debut.
“He [Hendrick] is good and I think that he can get better. He is physically strong, plays with good balance, he has a good pass, comfortable thinking before he receives the ball, I think he will improve with us,” said the 73-year-old.
