Trap Out and/or Delaney Out

[mypost]

I think we need to look closer to home for the next appointment. I want somebody living in Ireland or England who can go to a game every week & follow up on any promising youngsters playing reserve team football.

Kerr, Staunton etc...

Who seriously reckons that reserve team footballers are up to the demands of international football?

[DeLorean]

I'm sorry but Brian McDermott? Sean O'Driscoll?

I have no problem with the view that Trap's time is up and all that but some of the names being thrown about are ridiculous. These guys have done nothing to suggest they'd make good international managers, they have very little experience full stop. I can't believe some of ye would gamble with our rankings, seedings, reputation, etc. with total shots in the dark like these guys.

Imagine sacking Trap while we're still in with a chance of qualifying after making the Euros and narrowly missing out on South Africa. A few months down the line, things have gone from bad to worse and we're not getting the results and it's clear McDermott, for example, is out of his depth. We would plumet in the rankings and what manager in his right mind would want the job then, possibly less than a year after we got rid of the legendary Trap who brought us to the Euros and getting rid of his replacement after a few months.

I have no interest in playing Russian roulette with our next few campaigns by taking a complete gamble on one of these guys. My God like, Sean O'Driscoll was manager of Doncaster Rovers up until a year ago. He could turn out to be a success but we can't take a chance like that. Fair enough maybe if a Martin O'Neill comes available, or somebody who has actually done something in management at a reasonable level for a reasonable length of time.

It's been said that Trap has no respect for our footballing tradition and history... well anybody that suggests unproven managers like McDermott and O'Driscoll don't have much respect for it either. We're surely worth more than some flavour of the month Bristol City boss or Reading reject. Nothing personal against either of these guys by the way, I like them both and feel they were very badly treated at Forest and Reading.

I don't think international management is quite as easy as some are making it out either.

[ArdeeBhoy]

That's as maybe. But sadly think you're overestimating the appeal of being the next Irish manager. Both in terms of the financial package and relative likelihood of success...

[ArdeeBhoy]

when kerr went to 5 in midfield when robbie went off v israel 2005 and us 2 nil up at the time he got slated when it ended 2-2 for doing so. on the one hand the negativity stick is used to beat trap when it suits but when he does something semi-positive like keep 2 up front on tuesday he gets beaten with that stick too.

Except the issue was who the auld fool left on to to do this.
Not the 'tactics' in terms of nos'. Which has punctuated his recent selections to an ever increasing degree...

[jbyrne]

That's as maybe. But sadly think you're overestimating the appeal of being the next Irish manager. Both in terms of the financial package and relative likelihood of success...

but have you forgotten that it is the manager who dictates the likelihood of success as the anti trap brigade have been arguing?

[Stuttgart88]

Kerr did not go 5 in midfield against Israel. C'mon JB, you know that - you've been on here long enough and it's been discussed often enough.

He brought on another midfielder alright (Kav I think) but moved a midfielder (Duff?) forward. It was resolutely 442 still and ranks as one of the worst substitutions ever made by an Irish manager. Stephen Elliott was chomping at the bit to come on but Kerr made 3 positional switches with one substitution. I stlil think he was extraordinarily unlucky not to win the game though.

[paul_oshea]

when kerr went to 5 in midfield when robbie went off v israel 2005 and us 2 nil up at the time he got slated when it ended 2-2 for doing so. on the one hand the negativity stick is used to beat trap when it suits but when he does something semi-positive like keep 2 up front on tuesday he gets beaten with that stick too.

He didnt go 5 across the midfield but brought on a defensive midfielder. I made this point earlier on a different thread but against Israel we were dominant there was no need to do this so early, that invited them onto us and they did so. Against austria they were dominating us in midfield and we were ahead. You make changes in games to benefit, releave or counteract the opponent.Trap did none of these.

[ArdeeBhoy]

but have you forgotten that it is the manager who dictates the likelihood of success as the anti trap brigade have been arguing?Sorry. What's yer point here?

In relation to my quote?

[Stuttgart88]

Just in response to DeLorean's post no. 302 (quoting using my iPad is tricky) I think Yard of Pace made the most pertinent point in relation to someone like McDermott. Gary Speed or Slaven Bilic had done nothing of note in management, and I'm sure there are many other examples of unheralded managers getting the most out of what's available to them. McDermotts excellent run last season is not to be dismissed. It shows to me that he clearly has some talent and an ability to get good results in a tough league that's arguably comparable with a qualification group.

I think a manager that has basic competences (ability to select best 11, a balanced team, round pegs in round holes, ability to motivate, ability to react to changing circumstances) ought to be able to get this decent bunch of players to do at least as well as Trap.
The only nagging doubt I have about ditching Trap is the away record. It deserves a lot of credit.

[tetsujin1979]

While I think McDermott would be a fine candidate, although not one I would pick, and his record in the second half of last season was exemplary, what about the first half of the season?
Before Reading went on an outstanding run of wins, I think they something like 10th around Christmas, or roughly 23 games. To me, that suggests it took McDermott that long to adjust to the league, despite being familiar with the club, the squad and their skillset. Almost half a season before he was preparing his players, formation and tactics to get the best from the squad, before going on to win the title, and promotion. That's more games than would come in two years of international football, more than the number of games in two qualifying campaigns. I'm not suggesting that it would take that long for McDermott to stamp his authority on the international side, but equally I don't think he's ready for international football yet. He might be a candidate for the long term, rather than the immediate

[DannyInvincible]

Gary Speed or Slaven Bilic had done nothing of note in management, and I'm sure there are many other examples of unheralded managers getting the most out of what's available to them.

Their status as relatively young (perhaps even suave) former players appeared to command them an incredible level of respect, credibility and commitment from those who played under them.

It doesn't always work out that way, mind...

http://e1.365dm.com/07/10/460x238/staunton_585632.jpg

[ArdeeBhoy]

Perhaps we could have McDermott (or similar) for home games and :rolleyes: Trap for aways, though the latter's record won't last out the year IMO.

[SkStu]

While I think McDermott would be a fine candidate, although not one I would pick, and his record in the second half of last season was exemplary, what about the first half of the season?
Before Reading went on an outstanding run of wins, I think they something like 10th around Christmas, or roughly 23 games. To me, that suggests it took McDermott that long to adjust to the league, despite being familiar with the club, the squad and their skillset. Almost half a season before he was preparing his players, formation and tactics to get the best from the squad, before going on to win the title, and promotion. That's more games than would come in two years of international football, more than the number of games in two qualifying campaigns. I'm not suggesting that it would take that long for McDermott to stamp his authority on the international side, but equally I don't think he's ready for international football yet. He might be a candidate for the long term, rather than the immediate

In fairness, it doesn't really work that way in international football. It's a bit different... I really don't know enough about McDermott to have too much of an opinion on whether or to he'd be a good appointment but he's achieved more already than McCarthy had when he got the gig. Staunton was just a bizarre call in retrospect, a call that delaney is fortunate to have survived.

We should start by defining what we want from an international manager and picking the most suitable interested candidate. We won't attract the cream of the crop but the least we can do is be smart about it and define our gaps, aims and some deliverables. I've got my own ideas about the profile of an Irish manager so I'd hope that our administrators do too.

[DeLorean]

Just in response to DeLorean's post no. 302 (quoting using my iPad is tricky) I think Yard of Pace made the most pertinent point in relation to someone like McDermott. Gary Speed or Slaven Bilic had done nothing of note in management, and I'm sure there are many other examples of unheralded managers getting the most out of what's available to them. McDermotts excellent run last season is not to be dismissed. It shows to me that he clearly has some talent and an ability to get good results in a tough league that's arguably comparable with a qualification group.

I think a manager that has basic competences (ability to select best 11, a balanced team, round pegs in round holes, ability to motivate, ability to react to changing circumstances) ought to be able to get this decent bunch of players to do at least as well as Trap.
The only nagging doubt I have about ditching Trap is the away record. It deserves a lot of credit.

Gary Speed, like Bilic, would have been a hero in his own country for his contribution to his national team and football generally. Of course this didn't mean they could automatically manage, but at least they had the respect of their players straight away. Also, in Wales case, the only way was up so it may have been a gamble worth taking as they hadn't much to lose. Nobody can realistically say the only way is up for us, it's very possible things could go horribly wrong eg. pre-Trap.

I'm not dismissing McDermott's achievements at all, I'm just putting them into the context they belong. If every manager who had a purple patch of results in the lower leagues is to be considered we'll have a pretty long list. Sorry but I think we're a bigger deal and a much bigger job than Reading and Doncaster, but then I suppose I'm biased.

I don't really think those basic competencies come as easily as you imply either. The majority of managers have some in spades and little of others. Certain managers are more suited to certain jobs.

[shakermaker1982]

Kerr, Staunton etc...

Who seriously reckons that reserve team footballers are up to the demands of international football?

Did I say that?

Nothing wrong with wanting a manager who has got a lot of free time to check on promising players like Shane Duffy or catch up with players coming back from injury.

[shakermaker1982]

I think some of you need also need to be realistic when it comes to our next appointment.

England had to go back to basics with Hodgson despite being able to afford Mourinho & co. international management is a gig for young up and comers or old timers looking for one last big pay off before they head off to the nursing home. I'm fairly confident the FAI will go down the Irish/English route this time around. Ability to speak coherent English a must.

[tetsujin1979]

going to break the habit of a lifetime and link to an article on goal.com: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2013/03/27/3857249/look-at-scotland-there-but-for-the-grace-of-trapattoni?ICID=AR_TS_3#
It's the opposite point of view to the thread at the moment, and while I wouldn't agree with all of it, there's a few interesting points

[Kingdom]

going to break the habit of a lifetime and link to an article on goal.com: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2013/03/27/3857249/look-at-scotland-there-but-for-the-grace-of-trapattoni?ICID=AR_TS_3#
It's the opposite point of view to the thread at the moment, and while I wouldn't agree with all of it, there's a few interesting points

If we were in Scotland's group, and they in ours, I'd venture we'd be in exactly the same positions. Scotland have a horror group.

[DeLorean]

going to break the habit of a lifetime and link to an article on goal.com: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2013/03/27/3857249/look-at-scotland-there-but-for-the-grace-of-trapattoni?ICID=AR_TS_3#
It's the opposite point of view to the thread at the moment, and while I wouldn't agree with all of it, there's a few interesting points

A therapeutic read. I found the last couple of sentences confusing after all the sarcasm!


If we were in Scotland's group, and they in ours, I'd venture we'd be in exactly the same positions. Scotland have a horror group.

I doubt we'd have lost to Wales twice for a start or failed to beat Macedonia at home. We have also proved that we're more than capable of getting results elsewhere as well, albeit I wouldn't fancy our chances of finishing ahead of Belgium or Croatia.

[tommy_c12000]

Although his stock has fallen in recent years, I still think Martin O'Neill would be the ideal man for Ireland. He got the very best out of a limited pool of players at Leicester and Celtic and did an ok job with Villa. Unfortunately, he had a bit of a nightmare with Sunderland. Out of the available managers, O'Neill is the only man that I would pay Trap off for.

Given the precarious financial position the FAI are in though, we will have to wait until Trap's contract runs out next year and take our chances that there will be a reasonable managerial market available. I predict O'Neill won't be available when this juncture comes.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Having watched the United/Sunderland match today, I can't say my opinion of O'Neill is super high at the moment.

[BonnieShels]

Well he's available now!

Sacked tonight by Sunderland!

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/english/2013/0330/379136-sunderland-sack-manager-martin-oneill/

[backstothewall]

I think this changes the Trap debate completely. For the first time there is a decent answer to the 'who would you replace him with?' question.

[DannyInvincible]

I think this changes the Trap debate completely. For the first time there is a decent answer to the 'who would you replace him with?' question.

But Paul Jewell's been free since October.

[backstothewall]

But Paul Jewell's been free since October.

I know he has become a figure of fun in Irish football, but I actually think Jewell is a decent manager at a certain level. OK Ipswich was a fiasco, but he did some cracking work at Bradford and Wigan.

[DannyInvincible]

going to break the habit of a lifetime and link to an article on goal.com: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2013/03/27/3857249/look-at-scotland-there-but-for-the-grace-of-trapattoni?ICID=AR_TS_3#
It's the opposite point of view to the thread at the moment, and while I wouldn't agree with all of it, there's a few interesting points

Another one (by Vincent Hogan) from the same school of thought offering some more to chew on: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/time-to-bury-myth-that-successive-mr-magoos-to-blame-for-irish-failure-29163896.html


Austria's late goal left Ireland's World Cup hopes on life-support, pitching the collective mood from hopeful to discordant.

And, for those filing live copy, this was the gravest inconvenience. Essentially, we had 10 minutes to turn a lullaby into Carmen and, with fingers no longer accepting signals from the central nervous system, that wouldn't be easy.

Still, it was no excuse for rounding on Trapattoni like a motorcycle-gang, which is essentially what the media did on Tuesday night.

The story on Wednesday morning was that he would not be stepping down as Ireland boss, as if this represented some breathtaking chutzpah on the Italian's part.

Now, this column wearies of his old colonel's eccentricities as quick as the next, but the idea that Trap should have resigned this week surely spoke more about an industry's self-delusion than it did about the Irish manager.

You have to wonder is there a comparable case-study anywhere in world football, where – decade after decade – the man at the helm of a national team gets depicted as some kind of hapless Mr Magoo, endlessly dragging his players down.

Through my entire journalistic career, this has been the unchanging soundtrack of Irish football.

The manager is the problem. With someone wiser in charge, our players would play to the sound of trumpets.

Maybe you have to be of a certain age to recognise the recidivism of that conceit.

Just now Wes Hoolahan must live in silent dread of the day Trap finally bows to the populist chorus and starts him in an important game. Because the more Wes gets overlooked, the higher his legend soars.

I happen to think that Trapattoni got a lot of things right last Tuesday night.

After the careless concession of an early goal, his team played with a competitive energy the Austrians, palpably, did not enjoy. Had Shane Long's back-heel not hit the post or had Heinz Lindner not produced a second-half wonder save, this might well have been filed away as the best Irish home performance since the '01 defeat of Holland.

But the third goal did not materialise and Ireland ended up wrestling vainly for control of the football in much the same way England did in Podgorica and, Heaven help us, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all did during their respective defeats on the same night.

I don't know, but I suspect there's the kernel of a clue there.

Eight years ago, Brian Kerr was getting it in the ear for his team squandering leads twice against Israel.

During a 1-1 draw in Tel Aviv, he had perhaps the greatest on-field leader in Premier League history directing operations.

Yet, even with Roy Keane on board, Ireland dropped so deep in the dying minutes, that the concession of an injury-time equaliser ultimately felt self-inflicted.

In the return game at Lansdowne, a two-goal lead was squandered. That October, there were few cries of protest when Kerr got the sack.

Jack Charlton managed Ireland to three major tournaments, yet was accused of vandalising our native art. Mick McCarthy got his team to the '02 World Cup, yet was then bombed out in a popularity contest with Keane. The late Bobby Robson found himself ridiculed on 'Liveline' following a panicked win in San Marino.

And, now, Trapattoni's is the head being hunted.

He's certainly no Orson Welles when speaking English and, clearly, poor communication skills have created avoidable tensions in the Irish dressing-room.

But the concession of a deflected 93rd-minute shot is surely rank poor reason to expect a resignation in the qualifying mid-stream.

People fixate on Trapattoni's salary when, if anything, it's the salary of his assistant that should be questioned.

Trouble is, the media finds comfort in consensus and the cry for change now gathers unstoppably.

Liam Brady is shouted down on television for suggesting it inappropriate to ask Trap if he's considering his position immediately after missing out on a precious victory by maybe 30 seconds. Worse, Brady feels compelled to ask that his argument not be interpreted as some kind of blind faith in an old colleague.

Trap's time is probably coming to a close right enough, but the media repeated tired old sins this week.

We managed to spin the lie we've been spinning for decades, a fable depicting our football history as some potentially glorious tale reduced to hapless tragicomedy by a succession of bad managers.

Jonathan, mon frère, is this the life for you?

[Stuttgart88]

Fair article as usual by Hogan. Awful drivel on goal.com though.

Nothing will convince me that the concession of a late equaliser was not self inflicted with the manager extremely culpable.

[Stuttgart88]

Ok, so at the end of the campaign and Trap departs - which he will whether we qualify or not - it appears O'Neill is a candidate. Would he be interested? Should we be interested? He's very much in the rudimentary mould and player judgment is questionable, for example.

Regardless of how the campaign finishes, should Tardelli be a candidate? I don't know what the players' view of him is. It might offer the away form continuity we'd love to keep and maybe he'll be more progressive in the home games.

Just asking...

[Spudulika]

I don't always like Vincent Hogan's offerings but he was fair and not buying the ongoing fashion of boss bashing. It's embarrassing to read some of what has been written here or in the Irish meeja, I can only put it down to too many boys with too much time and free access to Football Manager.

As for a replacement at the end of the campaign - Martin O'Neill is obvious, but he'd get 6 months before something is found wrong. Paul Jewell, not the worst manager, but he'd last a month. Phil Brown, he's looking for work and cheap, he'd last at least a fortnight.

Sadly, until we break from the motherland we're not going to get anywhere. We're tied in blood to one of the crappiest player development systems in the world and it won't change so long as our own football establishment work along political lines rather than trying to make the sport a success.

The Goal piece, it at least says (sarcastically) a little about the Irish mentality. I blame the motherland!

[Yard of Pace]

Ok, so at the end of the campaign and Trap departs - which he will whether we qualify or not - it appears O'Neill is a candidate. Would he be interested? Should we be interested? He's very much in the rudimentary mould and player judgment is questionable, for example.

Regardless of how the campaign finishes, should Tardelli be a candidate? I don't know what the players' view of him is. It might offer the away form continuity we'd love to keep and maybe he'll be more progressive in the home games.

Just asking...

Kilbane said in the Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago that Tardelli does practically nothing in the set-up beyond being someone there for Trap to have around. I think he'd be disastrous, though I do love the boyish enthusiasm he shows at times.

I'd have O'Neill in a heartbeat if his head is right. I presume he'll take a break so by October or whenever, he should be hungry enough for another job. But I think he might knock the club management on the head now, he's 61 and has been managing for a long long time. International football might suit him. He's not been great lately but wasn't he offered or at least interviewed for the England job not too long ago??

Maybe that other Clough old boy Roy Keane could be his assistant......that'd be something :D

[gastric]

Problem solved. The way forward is with Francis. Argentinian background, divine connection, can speak Italian and is of the same vintage as Trap, call him up John!

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/declan-lynch-pope-could-pick-better-team-than-trap-29165109.html

[Crosby87]

They should hire a German with experience in the Bundy.

[BonnieShels]

They should hire a German with experience in the Bundy.

Or an Australian (manager) with experience on the Bundy

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2009/7/23/1248341318653/Terry-Venables-001.jpg

Or Al Bundy?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cd-ETrQ9S4/ThJdkgh0p8I/AAAAAAAAC3o/1wYfAZc9fh8/s1600/a1%2BEd_Oneil.jpg

Or someone who's eaten a lot of Bundys?

http://getnloose.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/patdolan.jpg

[bennocelt]

bennocelt the eamon dunphy of foot.ie always knocking never offering a suggestion. :D

ha thanks - cough, martin O Neill - or a cheap move, just get Roddy in:D

[Crosby87]

I was thinking Hermann Gerland but OK.

[barney]

Hogan was right re our "rich footballing history". We don't have one and it pains me to hear Dunphy and his ilk talking about it. We've qualified for five major tournaments, all in the last 25 years and the three managers who have gotten us there have all been criticised at some point for crapping on our footballing heritage. It's laughable.

Not sure O'Neill would take the job to be honest. Would it be worth the hassle he'd get? Never rated him that highly myself, he's a poor man's David Moyes (who isn't that great himself), so not sure he would be that much of an upgrade on what we have.

[gastric]

Hogan was right re our "rich footballing history". We don't have one and it pains me to hear Dunphy and his ilk talking about it. We've qualified for five major tournaments, all in the last 25 years and the three managers who have gotten us there have all been criticised at some point for crapping on our footballing heritage. It's laughable.

Not sure O'Neill would take the job to be honest. Would it be worth the hassle he'd get? Never rated him that highly myself, he's a poor man's David Moyes (who isn't that great himself), so not sure he would be that much of an upgrade on what we have.


Can't agree with most of your post particularly your comment regarding Moyes. Brilliant manager!

[ArdeeBhoy]

It's the last 26 tbf, Barney.
Charlton only got criticised afterwards. For playing football that makes Traps look sophisticated.

And Moyes is decent rather than brilliant. Be interesting to see what he could do, with a lot of money to spend.

[barney]

Can't agree with most of your post particularly your comment regarding Moyes. Brilliant manager!

Moyes has done a great job with Everton but that's about his level. I really like the fella, he seems really honest and has stuck with Everton when he could have walked away a few times but he'll never be successful with a top club because his style of football will get found out at that level.

[BonnieShels]

What do you mean get found out?
In the game v Man City, Everton were hardly "lucky" to have won. Same goes for most of the season.
Moyes is a good coach and I sincerely doubt he'd be "found out" if he went to Arsenal or Man Utd.

[barney]

What do you mean get found out?
In the game v Man City, Everton were hardly "lucky" to have won. Same goes for most of the season.
Moyes is a good coach and I sincerely doubt he'd be "found out" if he went to Arsenal or Man Utd.

I mean he won't get the results that those teams expect. I could be wrong and I'll hold my hands up if I am because, as I say, I like Moyes and think he's done a great job at Everton.

I heard a stat a while back that I haven't Googled to see if it's right but that wouldn't surprise me if true. It is that in 48 away league games against Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, Moyes has won none. Could be false, but sounds like it could be accurate because I can't think off hand where he has won one. Once he gets to that level, his style of football is too direct to get results in my view.

I'd love to be proved wrong though if he does get a big job.

[ArdeeBhoy]

But then again, look at their gutless performances at home to Wigan and away to Leeds when they got knocked out of the two domestic cups.

[BonnieShels]

I mean he won't get the results that those teams expect. I could be wrong and I'll hold my hands up if I am because, as I say, I like Moyes and think he's done a great job at Everton.

I heard a stat a while back that I haven't Googled to see if it's right but that wouldn't surprise me if true. It is that in 48 away league games against Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, Moyes has won none. Could be false, but sounds like it could be accurate because I can't think off hand where he has won one. Once he gets to that level, his style of football is too direct to get results in my view.

I'd love to be proved wrong though if he does get a big job.

Sorry. Just re-read my post post and it sounds snotty. I actually just didn't understand your point.

Makes sense now.

That stat is correct as far as I recall.

[BonnieShels]

This is a great read.

http://www.barriesview.com/2013/03/david-moyes-statistics-at-everton

[Sullivinho]

This is a great read.

http://www.barriesview.com/2013/03/david-moyes-statistics-at-everton

Practically pornographic if your name is Tets.

[tetsujin1979]

Or someone who's eaten a lot of Bundys?

http://getnloose.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/patdolan.jpg
I knew he was a big man from seeing him on RTE's coverage of League of Ireland games, but he passed me outside the Aviva before the Austria game, and if anything the camera takes pounds off him. He's built like a warehouse!

[SkStu]

This is a great read.

http://www.barriesview.com/2013/03/david-moyes-statistics-at-everton

Sorry but I can't place all that much faith in an article that relies solely on statistics to say whether or not Moyes has done a good job. It doesn't (and probably can't) place sufficient weight on the state of the club over the last ten years. When you factor in the shambles that was Everton through Moyes' reign to where it is today, then his record is far more impressive than the simple story the stats tell. Also, this myth perpetuates that Everton play an ugly game, they are actually a lovely team to watch most of the time but are able to mix it up as needed.

He is not the perfect manager but he has worked miracles on a shoestring while numerous other clubs spent beyond their means and suffered relegation. I don't see him as a top 4 club manager though. Different set of expectations that he will never have encountered before. I think (and hope) he should stay with the toffees.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Moyes is one of the people mentioned in the same breath as Mourinho when discussing successors to Alex Ferguson. I really doubt international management is in his future.

[Closed Account 2]

It looks like O'Neill and McDermott are both in the running for the Leeds job... talking of that job we can now add Neil Colin Warnock to the list of recently unemployed managers who might fancy the gig.

[paul_oshea]

I think Moyes has shown an ability to adapt to his environment and changing circumstances. I feel he would be able for a top 4 club, if he was given enough time to adapt to the task.

Martin O'neill is still very animated on the touchline, someone mentioned to me that the game has passed him by, I think he definitely missed his sidekick this time around, someone to think rationally and spot/advise of the changes during a game. I think you can see why he isn't very good at squad rotation, he is too involved in the moment. I still think he is a great man manager and motivator though - two qualities ideal for international management. I think he would still make a great international manager where he has to motivate teams for about 6/7 proper games a year, where only he has to motivate for a "cup run" type task as he did so well with Celtic and Leicester in years gone by.