Top players will quit if Staunton forced out

**EalingGreen** · 12/02/2007, 5:58 PM

James Quinn, an (English-born) footballer from "the other Ireland" once said:

"You don't retire from your country, your country retires you".

Those of you who might have seen him plying his trade in the lower reaches of English football will know that when it came to ability, he never had much to show.
But those who saw him play internationally know that no-one ever showed greater effort or commitment.

From my own observation and knowledge of some of the ROI players mentioned, I'd be surprised if they really were threatening to quit should Stan be sacked. After all, if they really cared that much for him, that loyalty would be more evident on the pitch.

Sounds like "spin", idle speculation or gross exagerration to me.

**NeilMcD** · 12/02/2007, 6:07 PM

There is no source to this story so its all rubbish as far as I am concerned and Fanning is a muppet who along with Devan talk ****e half the time.

**bennocelt** · 12/02/2007, 7:40 PM

Originally Posted by Beavis

Says it all about the irish 'fan' these days. How anyone can criticise Duff, and to a lesser extent Keano, after years of both quality and endevour for Ireland, is beyond the realms of reason.
You were probably in the shower of a*seholes in front of us at the San Marino game who were more interested in booing and sing 'Stan out' songs than supporting the side. Ireland now has a British sporting culture where the public weight of expectation and subsequent ferocious critisism, will always accumulate in underachievement.

The current state of the media and a section of the Irish fan base makes me want to stop supporting the side, and slightly ashamed to be irish. Maybe a few barren years will be a good thing and help weed out the fair weather supporters, give others a reality check, and let us appreciate that for a country of 4 million and in a sport that is not even the countries largest, we actually do quite alright.

so you are irelands greatest supporter are you?
i follow ireland on away trips and was at the 2002 world cup, so i guess im a fairweather supporter

i think im entitled to boo whoever the fcuk i want, i paid for my ticket, and dont like what i see from an irish team who are overpaid and not even trying

i donot like it when i see guys on 40/50,000 squid every week complaining about the fans reaction in beating parttimers from san marino
get a reality check, the irish team dont even bother these days, thats what ****es everybody off

**mypost** · 12/02/2007, 9:09 PM

The players, officials, and their supporters on here, are still living in 1965, and think we should be grateful that we have a national side competing. They have a minnow mentality, believing that we only have a small pool of players, where we can't be expected to qualify for big tournaments.

The Irish public in general, no longer tolerate minnowism. We have the resources to be a player on the world stage, we just don't use them to the best of our ability.

**Qwerty** · 12/02/2007, 11:00 PM

I think you guys are going a bit overboard, remember the squad has been under siege by the media since Saipan. I'm not surprised that some of the players would back Stan by saying these things - although unnamed sources don't carry much weight with me. I would be shocked if any player thought that the performances against Cyrus or San Marino were acceptable, if you look at the Germany and Czech game I think you can see they can play and that those games are a fairer reflection of what they're about - sure the Germany game could have had a different score line and the Czechs seemed oddly happy to settle for a draw.

Down through the years we have struggled against the minnows away from home, Charlton's team drew 0-0 with Lichenstien. We needed some very late goals against Malta and Cyprus several times and McCarthy's team struggled away to Andorra. Let's wait and see what happens against Wales and Slovakia, I'm sure we'll see better performances, if we don't then that is the time to make a change. Oh and the last 'decent' team we beat away was Scotland 20 years ago!!

Just reading the Guardian , there is an interesting interview with Steve Coppell : Coppell's analytical mind is a key feature of his management style. However, by his own admission, his first steps as a manager were not quite as refined as his methods now. 'I didn't know what I was doing for the first couple of years.'

The FAI's idea of using Robson as Stan's mentor was on paper a great idea. The English have basically taken on board the FAI's lead and done the same thing with teaming McLaren with Venables, and I think they even suggested trying to get Robson to switch to Engand. However they have been hampered by Robson's ill health. Of course Robson was largely forced on Stan so perhaps if Robson hadn't been ill it wouldn't have worked anyway and I'm not sure Stan really thinks about football, I blame his GAA background.

I'm certainly concerned about the circus that the senior side has become, but the players are still turning up, if they didn't want to play they would be crying off with fake injuries. I've no doubt that if the media barrage continues you will see players saying 'sod it, it's not worth it any more'.

Having said all that it would be nice if Stan had simply said that clearly there are problems with the team but he is working on correcting them. It would also be nice if the players came out and said we didn't follow the game plan and we failed to execute properly. ( Assuming there was a game plan ) Ian Harte was interview before the game and he said what they needed to do was to play a quick game, pass quickly and use their superior pace to stretch and move the San Marinians. Now if they knew what to do why didn't they do it?

**clearskies** · 12/02/2007, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by Beavis

Says it all about the irish 'fan' these days. How anyone can criticise Duff, and to a lesser extent Keano, after years of both quality and endevour for Ireland, is beyond the realms of reason.
You were probably in the shower of a*seholes in front of us at the San Marino game who were more interested in booing and sing 'Stan out' songs than supporting the side. Ireland now has a British sporting culture where the public weight of expectation and subsequent ferocious critisism, will always accumulate in underachievement.

The current state of the media and a section of the Irish fan base makes me want to stop supporting the side, and slightly ashamed to be irish. Maybe a few barren years will be a good thing and help weed out the fair weather supporters, give others a reality check, and let us appreciate that for a country of 4 million and in a sport that is not even the countries largest, we actually do quite alright.

Mr Delaney, is that you?

**Noelys Guitar** · 12/02/2007, 11:36 PM

I would drop Duff and Keane. Wouldn't have Carr or Harte anywhere near the squad. Play Hunt, Long, Stokes, Quinn. Keep Carsley in.

**Noelys Guitar** · 12/02/2007, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by bennocelt

so you are irelands greatest supporter are you?
i follow ireland on away trips and was at the 2002 world cup, so i guess im a fairweather supporter

i think im entitled to boo whoever the fcuk i want, i paid for my ticket, and dont like what i see from an irish team who are overpaid and not even trying

i donot like it when i see guys on 40/50,000 squid every week complaining about the fans reaction in beating parttimers from san marino
get a reality check, the irish team dont even bother these days, thats what ****es everybody off

Giles used to play Givens when he was well past his sell by date. But then he didn't really have any other options. We have the Reading trio. The Sheffield united trio. Stokes, Connolly is back scoring. Drop Duff and drop Keane. They are 2 senior players who should be doing a hell of a lot more on and off the pitch than seems the case.

**Billsthoughts** · 12/02/2007, 11:52 PM

I dont think its a case of dropping players and all will be well. we just need to have a manager who can properly organise his team. I think people are just taking out their frustration on Keane and duff. two players that are going thru a bad spell in terms of form. what I would like to see is no automatic starters. everyone should have to fight for their place. regardless of what they have done in the past.

**theworm2345** · 13/02/2007, 5:01 AM

Originally Posted by Larks

4!! It's time, an irish manager was brave enough to get rid of our older players. Kilbane has always been a donkey yet he is never left out of an irish side. Ian Harte is useless, besides his freekicks and they were even shockin against san marino.

Without Kilbane we have 4 point this campaign and dont even have a hope of qualifying (there is still the faintest glimmer)
Harte had played 2 matches before he came back from something like 1 year and a half of injury. McShane maybe should've started but Harte has still always been top class (unless one is holding grudges against the latter two because both missed penalties against Spain)

**RogerMilla** · 13/02/2007, 8:32 AM

nobody moaned when we lost 1-0 to france in dublin because the players gave their all , fact is that the cyprus and san marino games are indicative of a lackadaisical attitude to our national team by some of the players, All we ask for is effort. I for one would drop both keane and duff from the first 11 in order to make them fight for their places or at least one of them , the other would get the message that no-one is undroppable then.

**geysir** · 13/02/2007, 8:34 AM

After first spinning the rumour out of stale air, Fanning now bravely throws down the gauntlet to the players to come out and deny the rumour.
A sure sign of a story gasping for life.

**NeilMcD** · 13/02/2007, 9:14 AM

I think Duff is trying to be honest just out of form I would reckon he tried the hardest in San Marino but its not very productive at the moment but that is more due to the fact that the tactics and organisation of the team is a shambles.

**tetsujin1979** · 13/02/2007, 9:19 AM

I actually thought Duff played alright in San Marino, he just needed to cross the ball earlier, rather than try to beat 3 or 4 players every time.

**galwayhoop** · 13/02/2007, 9:19 AM

Originally Posted by Qwerty

Ian Harte was interview before the game and he said what they needed to do was to play a quick game, pass quickly and use their superior pace to stretch and move the San Marinians. Now if they knew what to do why didn't they do it?

i know that san marino are bad but when ian harte is coming out in the media to say he's gonna burn them with his electric pace then you really do know that there are very few worse teams!!!

**eirebhoy** · 13/02/2007, 9:34 AM

I actually can't believe so many want Duff dropped tbh.

**osarusan** · 13/02/2007, 9:34 AM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

From my own observation and knowledge of some of the ROI players mentioned, I'd be surprised if they really were threatening to quit should Stan be sacked. After all, if they really cared that much for him, that loyalty would be more evident on the pitch.

A good point.

Does anybody know why they would have such strong desire to see him remain?

What hidden aspect of his management has earned their loyalty?

**galwayhoop** · 13/02/2007, 9:38 AM

without knowing the entire ins and outs but from what is written (i know not fact but as close as we got) things are a bit easier under 'da gaffer' than kerr.

but you would think with lads giving up time that they wouldn't be looking for a few days holiday but actually looking at qualifing for the major tournements.

**galwayhoop** · 13/02/2007, 9:40 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I actually can't believe so many want Duff dropped tbh.

yeah i think your right eirebhoy. duff is suffering from a serious lack of form and dip in confidence. not to be confused with robbie keane who seems to be suffering from a serious lack of effort and would rather direct the planes onto the runway at dublin airport

**OwlsFan** · 13/02/2007, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by galwayhoop

yeah i think your right eirebhoy. duff is suffering from a serious lack of form and dip in confidence. not to be confused with robbie keane who seems to be suffering from a serious lack of effort and would rather direct the planes onto the runway at dublin airport

So did Long also suffer from a "serious lack of effort" - how many times did Long actually make a run to get through on goal? At least Robbie did at least twice as far as I can remember. So let's all direct the flak at Robbie. Talk to me about Long's performance and don't say it's not fair to compare the two as both are Premiership strikers and in fact Long probably starts more often than Robbie these days. Was Long not trying either? No, let's just have a go at Keane