Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane

[tricky_colour]

C'mon, tricky; we're a dream team now. If your heedless impulses had been keeping up with your superfluous sister thread, you'd have noticed that DeNiro made that observation a full twelve hours ago (http://foot.ie/threads/184787-Roy-Keane-and-Martin-O-Neil-to-managed-Ireland?p=1721059&viewfull=1#post1721059)! :)

Seems I missed that somehow, indeed I was surprise it had not been mentioned, seems I just was blind to it.

[tricky_colour]

Stupid Question probably but do you chaps reckon Robbie could go on loan to a Prem club?

Don't think any are *that* desperate :p

Seriously though, he would not I expect, be able to get the kind of money he gets over there, so why would he want to
move to the Prem?

[Crosby87]

I just meant that the MLS season is over. But yeah he probably wants to relax.

[tricky_colour]

I just meant that the MLS season is over. But yeah he probably wants to relax.


Oh yes I had forgot about that and was doing him a bit of a disservice with my cheeky comments.
He did play for Villa in early 2012, but not in 2013. Villa were relegation candidates that year, it's
two years on now.

Maybe it was just that the conditions were right that year, I mean he only played a few games, normally
clubs have their squads picked for the relevant period, so Robbie would have to a significant
improvement on what they had for them to consider dropping a regular striker perhaps.

Or maybe after being reminded what a British winter was like he felt he would be better off in sunny California!!

[Stuttgart88]

I'm glad the initial press mutterings are nearly done with. I'm not sure i can take much more of O'Neill's sense of humour. Time to do the talking on the pitch.

[ifk101]

Compared to other managerial unveilings, the response to O'Neill seemed quite muted. Dunphy mentions he was nervous which I can agree with. The games with Latvia and Poland will be interesting to a point, more telling about where we are going is when he picks the squads himself.

[geysir]

It was well reported but there does appear to be a feeling of 'after the lord mayors show' about it. At least I wasn't that interested.
The main questions asked had already been answered and well discussed beforehand. The shock news value of the appointment had already upstaged the unveiling event.
Now comes the reality check a couple of friendlies with old eastern block countries.

I doubt if O'Neill himself would have picked a much different squad from the available players.

[Crosby87]

Why is the name sometimes O'Neal, sometimes O'Neill. Tis confuses me. Shaq is one way, the Irish manager is another. Tis ashame.

[back of the net]

I'm glad the initial press muttering a are nearly done with. I'm not sure i can take much more of O'Neill's sense of humour. Time to do the talking on the pitch.

Saw the conference in full last night - his numerous attempts at sarcastic humour were truly cringeworthy.

I wonder how many more times will we have to hear the "Ive asked myself that many times" line from him

[Stuttgart88]

Did anyone read Paul Rowan yesterday? I got a text from a pal saying that PR is saying that MON is treating the job as a joke. I don't subscribe to the Sunday Times so didn't see the article.

[geysir]

Why is the name sometimes O'Neal, sometimes O'Neill. Tis confuses me. Shaq is one way, the Irish manager is another. Tis ashame.
Both spelling versions are 'valid'. The original surname was in gaelic and there are a few derivatives but O'Neill is a much more common surname.
Afaia, those who shipped the Irish to the USA and those in Ellis island, went to extremes to accurately record the names of the immigrants.

[Yard of Pace]

Did anyone read Paul Rowan yesterday? I got a text from a pal saying that PR is saying that MON is treating the job as a joke. I don't subscribe to the Sunday Times so didn't see the article.

As far as Irish soccer writers go, I don't have much respect for Paul Rowan. Always trying to stir something up or make a story out of a non-story.

I didn't read the piece but I'd hope MON treats the job seriously but brings back the element of fun that's been missing from Irish teams for far too long. I hope he enjoys the job. To say he's treating it as a joke is a very serious accusation and I'd have zero idea where he's getting that idea from. I really enjoyed his press conference and if you're looking to treat a job managing a country as a laugh, RK is the last person you'd ask to be your assistant.

The old man gets the ST so I'll ask him about.

[Fixer82]

As far as Irish soccer writers go, I don't have much respect for Paul Rowan. Always trying to stir something up or make a story out of a non-story.



i read in Saturday's paper that Roy Curtis was named sportswriter of the year. Now that is laughable

[BonnieShels]

i read in Saturday's paper that Roy Curtis was named sportswriter of the year. Now that is laughable

Neil Francis won Sports Columnist of the Year.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/francis-scoops-top-award-29741191.html

Like the Mercury Prize these are truly discredited now.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Tbf, Rowan's, 'The Team That Jack Built' was half-decent. And read some OK articles by him over the years but unfamiliar with his recent (ie. the last 10?years) work. Is he really that bad?

[Stuttgart88]

I've met Paul quite a few times. Nice chap, but I do agree with Yopper's take on things in that he is usually trying to put a cynical angle on things. Of course, in context of Irish football, he'd often be right!

[DannyInvincible]

Saw the conference in full last night - his numerous attempts at sarcastic humour were truly cringeworthy.

I wonder how many more times will we have to hear the "Ive asked myself that many times" line from him

Ha, it's only his first week. After he gets a game or two out of the way and gets to know his individual players a bit better, I'm sure he'll be able to come up with more concrete answers rather than the stock first-week reply to, "So, why did you take the job and bring in Roy as assistant?" I felt he answered well during the press conference by avoiding overly specific territory in relation to available players.


Why is the name sometimes O'Neal, sometimes O'Neill. Tis confuses me. Shaq is one way, the Irish manager is another. Tis ashame.

There's reality (where Martin's surname is spelled "O'Neill") and then there's the world of tricky (where Martin's surname is spelled "O Neil").


Did anyone read Paul Rowan yesterday? I got a text from a pal saying that PR is saying that MON is treating the job as a joke. I don't subscribe to the Sunday Times so didn't see the article.

God forbid, surely not Undercover Agent Martin of the IFA?!

[back of the net]

Ha, it's only his first week. After he gets a game or two out of the way and gets to know his individual players a bit better, I'm sure he'll be able to come up with more concrete answers rather than the stock first-week reply to, "So, why did you take the job and bring in Roy as assistant?" I felt he answered well during the press conference by avoiding overly specific territory in relation to available players.



Im not doubting his ability to deal with the press or anything.
When not trying to be humerous - he answered the questions fine and came across very well.

I wouldnt be holding out for a better comedy performance from him though Danny, whether it be his first week or not.

In saying that though, some of the questions asked by the journalists were pretty limited and in some cases repetitive

[Fergie's Son]

Well there really isn't that much to ask him. He's just starting. Rowan's accusations are fairly serious (if that's what the article says). O'Neill is on 1.3M so you'd want to be taking it more than a little seriously.

[ArdeeBhoy]

A wee taster.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/ireland/article1338604.ece

[Stuttgart88]

My mate was stirring things if that opening paragraph is anything to go by.

[geysir]

And he's one of Stutts' best mates??

[Stuttgart88]

Yep, who likes to stir things.

[gastric]

Neil Francis won Sports Columnist of the Year.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/francis-scoops-top-award-29741191.html

Like the Mercury Prize these are truly discredited now.

Jeez, the standard of journalism must be at an all time low if Francis won this award. He is boorish, opinionated and arrogant in the extreme and lacks objectivity. Scary stuff! Give me Tony Ward any day.

[geysir]

Hard to credit that not even Emmet Malone was nominated as sportswriter.
There must be some explanation why Curtis, a sack of shít, got the award.

[ArdeeBhoy]

MO'N on Saipan.

http://balls.ie/football/martin-oneill-thinks-roy-keane-was-wrong-to-walk-out-in-saipan/

[gastric]

King happy to tease supporters in this article about a player he watched at the weekend. He is hoping to talk to this player next week and then will supposedly reveal all. Reading between the lines, it is probably Callum McManaman. Will Keane and Conor Wickham are also mentioned as targets. King is very upbeat and positive in this article and feels a call from the 'dream team' could bring players onboard. It is good to feel a sense of positivity around Irish football as it's been quite negative of late.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/the-men-oneill-and-keane-can-turn-from-lions-to-boys-in-green-29745405.html

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/king-dream-team-have-clout-to-spur-ireland-recruitment-drive-29745395.html

[Stuttgart88]

Hard to credit that not even Emmet Malone was nominated as sportswriter.
There must be some explanation why Curtis, a sack of shít, got the award.
I'd say Malone is considered a regular reporter rather than a columnist or 'sportswriter'?

I hardly ever read Francis. He wrote a good piece on the H Cup stuff recently but I do recall an article post 2011 RWC where he was bemoaning too many tattoos in rugby, and reading between the lines, too many knackers and chavs and not enough doctors and solicitors. I think someone here commented on it.

[paul_oshea]

O'Neill looks like he is ready for the day as a jobber.

You nordies or dubs won't get that.

I wonder does keane buy his own clothes. Nice zip up jacket.

I suddenly feel like crosby87

[BonnieShels]

Jeez, the standard of journalism must be at an all time low if Francis won this award. He is boorish, opinionated and arrogant in the extreme and lacks objectivity. Scary stuff! Give me Tony Ward any day.

I listen to the Last Word every evening. For some reason.

Anyway, I always have gotten the impression that he's just the Dunphy of the rugby world. There's no substance to what he says and the amount of times that he gets pulled up by Matt Cooper, Paul Wallace and Emmett Byrne should be embarrasing.

I mean he thought Samoa would run us close...

A chancer.


Hard to credit that not even Emmet Malone was nominated as sportswriter.
There must be some explanation why Curtis, a sack of shít, got the award.

Tell us what you really think.

[paul_oshea]

But he had told them to strip and that he had “a good, wicked boar here”. He would then see how manly “these jackeens are”.

[back of the net]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2013/1112/486179-ireland-keane/


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24896718

http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/813/486166/

[M@ttitude]

I'm just back from Gannon park Malahide. O'Neil invited the fans in to view from the sidelines of the training session. It looked like a very good session, Roy split the squad into 4 teams with Robbie Keane playing Free man playing for each team (could score in either net, still didn't but looked very sharp). Very fast paced games, Roy and Martin taking notes on clip boards and shouting on- 'well played' etc. For me the players to stand out where James McCarthy - he looked so comfortable moving the ball around and scored a couple. Wes Hoolihan - Very small compared to the rest but never lost possession and scored a cracker. Andy Reid never stopped running and fighting for the ball but never looked a threat. Long seemed off form, Doyle played well but no goals. Surprisingly Paul Green looked sharp and Roy was impressed.

O'Neill Shouted 'Dont kick each other, we need you for Friday Night'. Keane kept saying 'Just play as you normally would. There was no direction to pass the ball etc, it seemed like the management team just wanted to see what they have and what needs fixing.

[DannyInvincible]

'Martin O'Neill: I won't gag Keane': http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2013/1113/486332-oneill-i-wont-gag-keane/


Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has insisted he will not attempt to gag number two Roy Keane.

The 42-year-old former Ireland skipper is due to give his first press conference since being named as O'Neill's assistant on Wednesday with the media eagerly anticipating his appearance.

However, while the manager is adamant that it is he who is in charge, he has no intention of telling Keane what he can and cannot say.

O'Neill said: "I am going to try to clear something up here: I am not Roy's father, absolutely not.

"He can look after himself, he can say what he wants. Seriously, he is under absolutely no gagging at all and I am quite sure I would not even have to have that conversation with him.

"I am not going to sit there saying, 'Don't say this, don't say that'."

The pair met the players for the first time on Monday evening and conducted their opening training session the following morning.

O'Neill admits both parties are still getting to know each other, but he is determined to treat his squad as adults as he sets about the process of stamping his own mark on the team.

Asked about discipline, an issue which often taxed predecessor Giovanni Trapattoni, the 61-year-old said: "Well, you must remember I grew up, I played under one of the most mercurial managers there ever was in Brian Clough.

"Brian Clough would have come down on an evening the night before a game when we were staying, let's say, in London and said, 'Lads, do you want a glass of wine with your meal?'.

"That would have been unheard of. He was so unorthodox, he was off the wall, but he had a philosophy that he was dealing with men and that if they couldn't look after themselves...

"He did not expect if he left the room that these boys would have five glasses of wine. He gave you some leeway. You go across that leeway and he would have cut you in two.

"I don't know, but just hearing the stories, I think Jack [Charlton, former Republic manager] was kind of like that, treating the boys like men. In other words, if you win the game, I will give you some free time.

"I'm kind of like that, and I think John O'Shea would tell you. Winning the games is very, very important. If you've won and you've worked for it, you should be allowed a little bit of time to let your hair down, if that's the case."

Meanwhile, O'Neill confirmed that the Football Association of Ireland is investigating the possibility that England Under-21 striker Connor Wickham could be eligible for the Republic.

He said: "If someone tells me someone is available, particularly someone I have worked with and might have a chance, I would give it some consideration."

[DannyInvincible]

O'Neill takes questions from @FAIreland:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku34zRKbVGU&feature=youtu.be

[Charlie Darwin]

I'd say Malone is considered a regular reporter rather than a columnist or 'sportswriter'?

I hardly ever read Francis. He wrote a good piece on the H Cup stuff recently but I do recall an article post 2011 RWC where he was bemoaning too many tattoos in rugby, and reading between the lines, too many knackers and chavs and not enough doctors and solicitors. I think someone here commented on it.
Dead right, too many decommissioned sailors playing the game these days. That said, I always suspected Popeye would make a great outside centre.

[paul_oshea]

I'm just back from Gannon park Malahide. O'Neil invited the fans in to view from the sidelines of the training session. It looked like a very good session, Roy split the squad into 4 teams with Robbie Keane playing Free man playing for each team (could score in either net, still didn't but looked very sharp). Very fast paced games, Roy and Martin taking notes on clip boards and shouting on- 'well played' etc. For me the players to stand out where James McCarthy - he looked so comfortable moving the ball around and scored a couple. Wes Hoolihan - Very small compared to the rest but never lost possession and scored a cracker. Andy Reid never stopped running and fighting for the ball but never looked a threat. Long seemed off form, Doyle played well but no goals. Surprisingly Paul Green looked sharp and Roy was impressed.

O'Neill Shouted 'Dont kick each other, we need you for Friday Night'. Keane kept saying 'Just play as you normally would. There was no direction to pass the ball etc, it seemed like the management team just wanted to see what they have and what needs fixing.

I have been impressed with Green in most of his later games in an Ireland jersey, he has settled in better. Its the others like McCarthy i haven't been impressed with. BUt i suppose when you expect nothing and get something its always better than expecting something and getting nothing....

[DeLorean]

McCarthy's doing fine under the circumstances. MOTM against the Faroes and Kazaks. Played very well in Stockholm also. He hasn't set the world on fire but, given the lack of confidence throughout the squad in recent months, I think he has been one of our better performers. He has also been part of the rigid 4-4-2 that everybody agrees put our central pairing under extreme pressure. His poorest game was probably in Vienna and I wouldn't take much notice of his performance in Cologne as he was played out of position. Hopefully in a more confident side with a more compact formation we can begin to see the best of him. Learning your trade alongside Glenn Whelan isn't exactly an ideal intro to international football either. Expectation is a massive factor though I agree but I think Green has been decent regardless, we expect nothing from Whelan and still end up disappointed! McCarthy, on the other hand, has been tipped by Martinez to be a top top player but I would cut him some slack for the time being.

[tetsujin1979]

I'd say Malone is considered a regular reporter rather than a columnist or 'sportswriter'?

I hardly ever read Francis. He wrote a good piece on the H Cup stuff recently but I do recall an article post 2011 RWC where he was bemoaning too many tattoos in rugby, and reading between the lines, too many knackers and chavs and not enough doctors and solicitors. I think someone here commented on it.I'm no fan of Francis either, but he did a good piece last year on the negative long term impact of weight training on schoolboy players so they're able to take, and make, bigger hits when they get to the senior side
One point I remember from it was when he went to the World Cup in 1995, there was only a few players in the squad capable of squatting more than 100kg, now most of them can handle over 200! (incidentally my personal best is 112.5kg)

<EDIT>

Found it - http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/obsession-with-weights-not-such-a-hip-fashion-28824695.html
this is the part I mentioned above

At the 2007 Rugby World Cup, I came across some of the strength stats that the squad were doing at the time. At the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the best single rep max from our group for a full squat was 150kgs (it wasn't me). Twelve years later, there were four members of the squad who could squat circa 240kgs

[Fixer82]

I'm no fan of Francis either, but he did a good piece last year on the negative long term impact of weight training on schoolboy players so they're able to take, and make, bigger hits when they get to the senior side
One point I remember from it was when he went to the World Cup in 1995, there was only a few players in the squad capable of squatting more than 100kg, now most of them can handle over 200! (incidentally my personal best is 112.5kg)

<EDIT>


Found it - http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/obsession-with-weights-not-such-a-hip-fashion-28824695.html
this is the part I mentioned above

ha ha good man!

[M@ttitude]

What are your thoughts on Robbie Keanes role under the new management? Some would have suggested he would be lucky to have a part of the next campaign. The first training session was based around him, to guide the younger lads maybe?

[OwlsFan]

What are your thoughts on Robbie Keanes role under the new management? Some would have suggested he would be lucky to have a part of the next campaign.

To score goals perhaps ? Some have been suggesting that Robbie shouldn't have been part of the last 3 campaigns but he continues to score goals. And do you know what? Unless you score goals, you don't win games.

[Stuttgart88]

Roy Keane press conference will be live on SSN at 2.30pm.

[back of the net]

Roy Keane press conference will be live on SSN at 2.30pm.


For those not abroad..
http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/#!/live/41/

[Stuttgart88]

I think M@ttitude's question was a fair one and fairly put too, not deserving of such a facetious answer.

O'Neill himself has questioned whether he'll retain the captaincy, saying that he'll be captain for these games but mainly because there's no point in changing anything while the management is taking stock of their, eh, stock.

It's also fair to ask whether people here think he'll be captain and whether he'll even be starting. The next campaign is a year away, a bigger thing for a guy of Keane's age than someone else. Will Long or Stokes step up to the plate? Will MON decide that he may have to play an extra midfielder to compete, jeopardising Keane's place.

To answer the original question, I think Keane will still be a big part of our 2014/5 season but others will be given a chance between now and September to elevate their status. They'll still have some catching up to do though to push Keane out of the way altogether, but I think Keane may be starting from the bench more often. I don't think he'll be captain, but there isn't a standout candidate to be captain for the long term either.

[DeLorean]

I could be wrong but I'd say the 'facetiousness' was aimed at the idiots who consistently give Robbie a hard time, not m@ittude. I hope so anyway or I'm taking back my 'thanks'!

[Stuttgart88]

Yep, I think Owls Fan was right to criticise Keane bashers but I think there was recognition of the same in the original question, when Matt said that some would have dropped him 3 campaigns ago.

If the new campaign was starting this week, Keane would be a shoo-in, but it starts in ten months. Keane reminds me of Larsson in a sense. Both are busy, instinctive forwards with similar body types and have looked after themselves. I think Keane will still be good as a 35 year old, but I think he'll need to be used a bit more cleverly.

[geysir]

Yep, I think Owls Fan was right to criticise Keane bashers but I think there was recognition of the same in the original question, when Matt said that some would have dropped him 3 campaigns ago.

If the new campaign was starting this week, Keane would be a shoo-in, but it starts in ten months. Keane reminds me of Larsson in a sense. Both are busy, instinctive forwards with similar body types and have looked after themselves. I think Keane will still be good as a 35 year old, but I think he'll need to be used a bit more cleverly.

Matt didn't say that.

[Stuttgart88]

Sorry, you're right. I got mixed up.

But he was fair when he said some don't think he should be starting in a year's time. Some don't.

[DeLorean]

I don't think we should treat the immediate future with any assumptions regarding what Robbie will or won't be able to contribute in a years time. He's important and good enough to play now so I would play him, obviously while also giving others their chance to impress. 10 months seems like an eternity right now but time flies and I'd expect little or nothing to change between now and then with regards Keane's ability to perform, injury dependent obviously.

It was Owls Fan that said 'some would have dropped him 3 campaigns ago'.

Edit- Just see that had been cleared up.