The Steve Staunton Discussion thread

**czarner** · 11/10/2006, 6:20 PM

In fairness, I reckon that Staunton running things on his own was never the plan, in his or anyone else's head. I've heard/read a few times that the original plan was Bobby as manager (hence all the 'world-class' talk from Delaney) and Stan as sidekick/apprentice, but for appearance's sake (i.e. to appease the anti-Brit brigade) the roles were switched about. If that's the case, it's fair to assume that the switch was only meant to be in name, and that neither Delaney nor Stan himself expected him to be running the show at this early stage.

For the one game where (from this perspective) Bobby was running things, we kicked Sweden's asses. Since ill-health took him out of the picture, we've been up crap creek. Sure, you can crib about the wisdom of hiring a man in his 70s to run an international football team, but if this was the intended scenario, you gotta have sympathy for Stan - he didn't plan to be really managing the team at this early stage and no doubt is very painfully aware that he doesn't have the necessary knowledge or experience but has to do his (woeful) best to talk the talk.

**Billsthoughts** · 12/10/2006, 11:31 AM

Still think he should be gotten rid of. Last nite only goes to show the lack of effort they have been putting in so far. It was also 2 points lost. A win and we would have been back in with a shout. A draw is no use to anyone. Staunton out. Bring in a proffesional.

**eirebhoy** · 12/10/2006, 12:34 PM

I'd still prefer a top manager in obviously but I think he now has a 2nd chance. For one, I've no doubt he listened to the opinions of others as for this match he actually fielded a central midfield. If he takes the advice of others, fields our best team possible in every game and him and his staff get the best out of the players then we can't ask for much more.

**Billsthoughts** · 12/10/2006, 1:05 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I'd still prefer a top manager in obviously but I think he now has a 2nd chance. For one, I've no doubt he listened to the opinions of others as for this match he actually fielded a central midfield. If he takes the advice of others, fields our best team possible in every game and him and his staff get the best out of the players then we can't ask for much more.

Why has he a second chance?
Three games into our qualifying campaign we are dead in the water.
One point from 9.
If he takes the advice of others as opposed to knowing himself what is right then whats the point of him bein "Dah gaffhur"?
A lot of "if"s there.

**eirebhoy** · 12/10/2006, 1:55 PM

Originally Posted by Billsthoughts

Why has he a second chance?

Because I'm fickle.

A lot of countries would have sacked him before last nights game but since he was given the chance and the team did very well I think he has another chance to prove himself. He's still learning his trade and must take the advice of more experienced people like Robson.

**kingp35** · 12/10/2006, 2:00 PM

the plus is that he actually realised that he needed to play a balanced midfield and Douglas and Carsley provided that. i still dont think he is up to the job but there is no doubt in my mind that he will be given a stay of execution now.

**Calcio Jack** · 12/10/2006, 2:04 PM

Originally Posted by kingp35

the plus is that he actually realised that he needed to play a balanced midfield and Douglas and Carsley provided that. i still dont think he is up to the job but there is no doubt in my mind that he will be given a stay of execution now.

Based on his selection process so far I don't he realised anything ... Stan is a bit like the room full of monkeys with typewriters...leave them there long enough and they'll produce the complete works of Shakespeare...

**Dr. Ogba** · 12/10/2006, 2:25 PM

Originally Posted by kingp35

the plus is that he actually realised that he needed to play a balanced midfield and Douglas and Carsley provided that. i still dont think he is up to the job but there is no doubt in my mind that he will be given a stay of execution now.

That he did but now I'm just wondering/dreading that he'll revert to type against San Marino and "keep faith" with the guys that made a mockery of our nation on Saturday...watch this space!!!

**DmanDmythDledge** · 12/10/2006, 10:38 PM

Good to see Stan get back on track with last nights performance. I actually think it could be a situation of him improving with every game. He changed formation and personnel and it paid off. Hopefully he just didn't listen to the media though!

However I still think he is a tosser when it comes to dealing with the media. He always said that Paddy McCarthy was not called up because of his discipline, but Paul McShane has earned 2 yellows and 1 red this season compared to McCarthy's gotten 4 yellows.

**Paddy Garcia** · 13/10/2006, 10:33 AM

I'd like someone to put these two questions to Stan:

1. Can you confirm that had Steven Ireland had not suffered an injury, Lee Carsley would not have been called up ?

2. What is your assessment of Ronnie O"Brien's current performance ? When and where did you last see him play?

**eirebhoy** · 13/10/2006, 3:32 PM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

I'd like someone to put these two questions to Stan:
...
2. What is your assessment of Ronnie O"Brien's current performance ? When and where did you last see him play?

I'd be pretty sure it was the constant mentioning of Carlsey's name on the likes of foot.ie that got his name back out in the open so I'm sure we could do the same with Ronnie.

Carsley came out of retirement 12 months ago. Kerr:
"I had a call from Lee and I told him that I would go over to meet him soon. I am glad that he had decided to come back because I thought he had a good season,"

"He is a very good fellow and since I have been involved I have found him to be very committed, very honest and good to have around the squad. He always puts his heart and soul into everything."

We kept his name in the open here on this forum when it seemed everyone still thought he was retired.
http://foot.ie/showthread.php?t=38614

Because of that we then had reporters calling him up and asking him if he'd be willing to come back and play for Ireland. Then suddenly he had to declare himself out of retirement again:
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...d=116&cpid=219
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...d=116&cpid=219

I'm sure if O'Brien got a few mentions on here we'd have journalists asking Stan about him. Whether he's good enough or not I don't know but he is an out and out right winger, something we're missing.

**Stuttgart88** · 13/10/2006, 3:38 PM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

He always said that Paddy McCarthy was not called up because of his discipline

Is that accurate?

I thought it was the likes of Paul Hyland and Gerry McDermott who speculated that this was the reason & it then became accepted as fact. As far as I know Staunton has said nothing on the matter, thus prompting regular McCarthy watchers such as CraftyToePoke to speculate that there's a deeper reason for his omission.

**eirebhoy** · 13/10/2006, 3:55 PM

This is the only quote I could find from Stan regarding McCarthy:

�We�ve had Paddy McCarthy watched but I don�t think he�s ready for the step-up yet. It might be a little bit too much for him at the moment. We�ll see how he goes with Leicester this year.

�I have to think of who we might go into the campaign with. I think it�s too much to ask to throw a younger member in there because it�s such a vital position.

�When you�re the last line of defence, it�s important that you�ve got experienced players there.

�I�ve said from day one that you can�t buy a centre-back. When I first got the job I was aware of the way Gary [Breen] was thinking so I knew that void was there. I could move John O�Shea back but hopefully I won�t have to think that. We�ve got one or two options but we�ll cross that bridge when we come to it.�

Maybe there is more to it but I'd say he's just afraid to call him up after saying he's not ready.

I'd say we'll be seeing him in the B match if his club manager allows it.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 13/10/2006, 4:04 PM

[http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=14471

McCarthy's international record is far from impressive either. In the qualifying campaign for the 2006 European U21 Championship McCarthy picked up three yellow cards in four games and missed the away game against Israel because of suspension.

It's a record not even a desperate Staunton is prepared to gamble on as he explained yesterday when he excluded McCarthy from the 24-man squad for next week's friendly international against Holland.

"Well that's part of it. You have to look at them sort of things. As we know from the World Cup, there are plenty of players out there that can manipulate the system," said Staunton.

**Paddy Garcia** · 13/10/2006, 4:37 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I'm sure if O'Brien got a few mentions on here we'd have journalists asking Stan about him. Whether he's good enough or not I don't know but he is an out and out right winger, something we're missing.

Fair enough, we should therefore have a go. At the very least he deserves a try. And must present a better option than his namesake Alan.

**Midgit** · 13/10/2006, 4:46 PM

Stan out. its dat simple. He hasnt a clue about tactics.
da preformance on wednesday was good but it doesnt make up for wat happened on saterday. Look at N.Ireland dey can win against Spain with a bunch of ameteurs!! a draw at home 2 Czech Rep is not dat gud, considering we wer lookn 2 beat dem at home when da draw was made!!!!!!!!!!!