Big Jack or Slick Mick?

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Originally Posted by Gaz

but at the end of the day you are what you are.

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You are what you choose to be. I think you have a narrow geographically inclined view as to what it is to be Irish and to be honest I resent your view that becuse I was born outside ireland in a town which has a county team in the all ireland championship, I am not Irish.

Sorry for off topic but back on topic:

I never really enjoyed the brand of football that Charlton esposed but I've always wondered would any of the subsequent success have happened without him ? I mean a whole generation of players grew up only having seen Ireland do well whereas guys of my generation had to watch us get cheated by dodgy refs.

Maybe Brian Kerr's name should be added to the list of options?

It better to wait untill the qualifiers have finished as we will
have a better idea then.

I gave my vote to Big Jack as he was the first manager to take us to the European Championships and two World Cups. He has given me many more great memories and moments than Mick McMcCarthy. He was the first to really give us self belief as a soccer nation.

Mick, and Brian Kerr even more so, are benefiting from the larger pool of players to choose from as so many kids became interested in the game because of Charlton's success. Charlton had some great players early on but never had the strength in depth we have now.

Sure you can criticize Jack for his style of play, treatment of players etc but hey he did the business.

ohhh Gaz's cat goes into a sizable lead..this is a turn up for the books!

Why was this thread dragged up from the dead? :confused:

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Why was this thread dragged up from the dead?

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Two words: Patrick J. :eek:

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Originally Posted by davros

Why not?Ireland's 2 successful managers to date;Jack by a country mile.......

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Don't you start... :rolleyes: ;)

Having a good time over there in New Zealand? Are you actually a Hobbit in disguise? :D

:D PP

Jack definitely for me.

Brought a belief that was sadly lacking to the team. OK football wasn't pretty - not defensive really, quite positive but not attractive however after years of moral victories we were getting real results away from home. Often forgotten too are some superb displays of football - Hampden 87, Hannover 88.

Mick was a far better player than he ever got credit for although a far worse manager then his press too. Shocking for WC98 - Ian Harte at centre half, Gary Kelly up front, Roy Keane sweeper at home to Iceland and then when needing a goal he brings on Alan Moore not John Aldridge. His decision making in Skopje cost us a place in Euro2000. Did a marvellous job to get uys to Japan and really grew into the job and I wish him all the best with sunderland.

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Originally Posted by gspain

and then when needing a goal he brings on Alan Moore not John Aldridge.

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Didn't Aldridge mention that in his autobiography? Aldridge was sitting there on the bench expecting to come on and afterwards when he asked McCarthy why (given that he'd been scoring goals by the bucket-load for Tranmere) he didn't bring him on, Mick said something like "Oh, I didn't think of that"(!) Aldridge later says in the book that McCarthy had denied the conversation afterwards ever took place - but if it did it's a bit of a shocker on Mick's part really.