Yeah, I agree largely. Scotland were actually quite good for Strachan's first 18 months or so. But we were till lucky 3rd place qualified!
O'Neill definitely had some great moments, more than most, but there's a lot I just don't like about him (anymore - I used to think he was the bees knees) and when results were good they compensated for that. They don't now and I think he is very lucky to be still in this job, particularly when it seemed he wasn't even that keen on it himself last year.
Where I bide, the darkest of the night is just followed by more darkness.
If I was to draw a parallel with us now and some place in O'Neill's career it would be with his last job at Sunderland. He went from a good beginning to that losing streak, couldn't buy a win, manager O'Neill was having no impact, yet he was totally convinced that he could save Sunderland from relegation and still does to this day remain absolutely convinced of that. As everybody knows he was sacked, some nutcase manager was brought in and even he could bring about the highly improbable and save Sunderland from the drop.
I'd guess that many observers of Sunderland's plight at that time had little confidence in O'Neill's bravado.
Last edited by geysir; 23/10/2018 at 10:14 PM.
It is bravado, and its also boll*x. When we won in Vienna to top the group, he couldn't talk us down enough, everyone should remember that. We consequently shrivelled and shrunk and that is still in process. All that ensuing campaign he talked us down, but now suddenly we are going to do the business in a group he doesn't even know his opponent yet ?? Balls. Self preservation and insulting peoples intelligence.
Totally. Hopefully it works though.
https://www.the42.ie/martin-oneill-r...urce=shortlink
Ego and insecurity have followed Martin O'Neill around for his entire career.
For the Republic of Ireland boss, the smugness isn’t a good look when so much negativity currently surrounds the Irish side.
That article wont help his insecurity!
Could Mick McCarthy give some pointers to Roy Keane in his assistant coach role i.e. some actual coaching .
Put together the below table...the columns are the debuts of players between 17 and 21 per year...it's disturbing how few U22 players have debuted under Trap and Mon
Years is rounded off
Its really disturbing...arghr
Manager Career Matches Players Debuted Years as Manager Steve Staunton 2006–2007 17 11 2 Mick McCarthy 1996–2002 68 15 6 Brian Kerr 2003–2005 33 7 3 Martin O'Neill 2013– 51 3 6 Giovanni Trapattoni 2008–2013 64 6 5
Last edited by rebelmusic; 31/10/2018 at 6:23 PM.
Second Captains and Off The Ball both went heavy on the Stephen Kenny for Ireland theme yesterday. David Sneyd and Gary Breen were in favour of it. Very interesting view from Dan McDonnell who reckons that this Euro campaign might come too soon and that Kenny fancies a good run in Europe next season due to superior seeding so the long term approach could and perhaps should be Kenny.
Who's the other young player O'Neill debuted?
Folding my way into the big money!!!
I find it interesting that there's been so much talk about "the next Ireland manager" lately; marks a clear public perception shift I think.
Possible Kenny could be best served coming in as U21 manager for a couple of years before moving up to the seniors, just to get used to the fold. Nothing against him particularly; but it's something that's worked at other countries - Southgate at England, Löw at Germany (who was assistant manager, not 21s manager, but same idea) - and it'd fit in with King seemingly not having his contract renewed while we can't afford to sack MON until after the upcoming qualifying campaign.
Not much demand for Roy Keane by any clubs . Could this gig be his last hurrah at coaching / managing ?
Was looking at MON's Wikipedia page. He's on course to spending the most time he has in any managerial role in his career with Ireland. He did 5 years at Wycombe, Leicester and Celtic and is in his 5th year with us. Interesting.
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