Quote Originally Posted by TheJamaicanP.M.
Fair enough Donal but you stated that you were unaware of any abuse from the media. The tabloids, regardless of what they are, do constitute the media. It must have been difficult for Lee Carsley and his family to read sh!t that got very personal. A lot of the rubbish that was written came after Carsley gave away a penalty against Turkey in the play-offs. Ignoring what the tabloids say is easier said than done. As for Carsley's willingness to travel to all Ireland games as a squad member, there are others who refused to do so. Dean Kiely never took any abuse in the Irish media for his retirement. We keep forgetting that Carsley's decision was made as he felt it was best for himself and best for the team. Sometimes, he is an easy target for the hacks in the tabloids and the broadsheets I might add.
I was unaware of anything that harsh, true, because I don't read rags and expect footballers to get a fair deal in them. I don't think the broadsheets have been too unfair and anything I've ever read about him in the Indo, the Irish Times or the Examiner is always related to his performance. In fairness, the bloke has never performed well for Ireland and, at times, has been terrible. I don't see how this makes him an easy target, more of a regular target as a result of regular poor performances. Like I said before, I don't like the way in which Ireland can appear expendable and people put forward the fact that he travelled with the team without getting a kick as some sort of credit to him and defence for him. Anyone on this forum would give anything just to sit on that bench and, again, that's football. You dig in or you don't. To be honest, Jamaican PM, I think we're going to have to agree to disagree, much as it pains me!