Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane

**osarusan** · 14/01/2018, 7:53 PM

I don't really agree. I think it's possible for O'Neill to be just as 'on the ball' as he has been (and the extent of how on the ball he has been is open to debate, but for a different thread really).

I also don't think that his interest in the Stoke job necessarily means he doesn't want to be in this one.

**Olé Olé** · 14/01/2018, 8:09 PM

Originally Posted by Diggs246

If someone doesnt want to be in a job and are actively looking around for s new job, that person tends to have their eye off the ball

Was he though? Was he actively looking around? I'm suspicious also but do you know what would be lovely? If Martin stopped playing silly beggars with the media (Friday at the awards, Tony O'Donoghue whenever possible) and clarified exactly what took place over the past week.

**geysir** · 14/01/2018, 8:37 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Nope, the one that qualified for the Euros winning nine games in a row, beating Russia, Montenegro and Sweden (4-1) away from home. Does that sound like a typical (or even successful) Irish qualification campaign?

After that promising qualification campaign for Euro 2016 they backslid with gusto. They performed very poorly at the Euro Finals and by the time we met them they were already 4th pot material, an overall standard which they didn't rise above in our group. We had a tougher Euro 2016 qual group than they had and we had performed better than them at the Euros.

**seanfhear** · 14/01/2018, 8:48 PM

Originally Posted by Diggs246

If someone doesnt want to be in a job and are actively looking around for s new job, that person tends to have their eye off the ball

Particularly not what you want in a Football job .

**jbyrne** · 14/01/2018, 8:48 PM

Originally Posted by Diggs246

If someone doesnt want to be in a job and are actively looking around for s new job, that person tends to have their eye off the ball

what evidence is there that mo'n went looking for the stoke, or any other, job?

what evidence is there that he doesnt want to be in the irish job?

**Diggs246** · 14/01/2018, 9:48 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

what evidence is there that mo'n went looking for the stoke, or any other, job?

what evidence is there that he doesnt want to be in the irish job?

My understanding is he went and met with the stoke board snd was offered the job, hence evidence of interest. I also understand he was talking to Everton. That doesn't sound like someone happy in their job

**elroy** · 14/01/2018, 10:07 PM

If the FAI were happy to agree to extend his contract pre the Moldova game, then why approximately 3 months later is nothing signed. I don’t buy this on their word bull****.

Another fine mess oversaw by our great leader JD.

**tetsujin1979** · 14/01/2018, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Diggs246

My understanding is he went and met with the stoke board snd was offered the job, hence evidence of interest. I also understand he was talking to Everton. That doesn't sound like someone happy in their job

any proof of that?

**Diggs246** · 14/01/2018, 11:01 PM

[QUOTE=tetsujin1979;1949289]any proof of that?[/QUOTE

Well, its either in that ball park, or this whole week has been a massive misunderstanding and Martin O'Neill is owed huge apology.

**brine3** · 14/01/2018, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Nope, the one that qualified for the Euros winning nine games in a row, beating Russia, Montenegro and Sweden (4-1) away from home. Does that sound like a typical (or even successful) Irish qualification campaign?

They were knocked out of the Euros in the group stage in 2016. In 2008 they qualified as host (their first ever Euros) but also went home in the group stage.

That's all they've done in terms of World Cup or European championship tournaments this century.

Don't think we need to be particularly jealous of their recent achievements, to be honest.

**jbyrne** · 15/01/2018, 7:47 AM

Originally Posted by Olé Olé

but do you know what would be lovely? If Martin stopped playing silly beggars with the media (Friday at the awards, Tony O'Donoghue whenever possible) and clarified exactly what took place over the past week.

the media are not the story. who gives a hoot about the managers relationship with the media. too much importance put on how the media feel in relation to our manager. too full of their own self importance if you ask me

**Olé Olé** · 15/01/2018, 7:54 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

the media are not the story. who gives a hoot about the managers relationship with the media. too much importance put on how the media feel in relation to our manager. too full of their own self importance if you ask me

My point is he could clarify through the media.

**tetsujin1979** · 15/01/2018, 8:30 AM

The same media who've been using their platform to decry his behaviour for the last two weeks or so?
"Yeah, sorry I said that about you, now can i get a quote on the Stoke job?"

**DeLorean** · 15/01/2018, 8:48 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

After that promising qualification campaign for Euro 2016 they backslid with gusto. They performed very poorly at the Euro Finals and by the time we met them they were already 4th pot material, an overall standard which they didn't rise above in our group. We had a tougher Euro 2016 qual group than they had and we had performed better than them at the Euros.

That doesn't contradict what I said really. They were seeded ahead of us on merit on the back of an outstanding run of results. Their form dipped but they still had the same players, who are superior players overall to what we have, boosted by a couple of stars. As for their performance at the Euros, it was sluggish for sure but they were unlucky in the final group game against Iceland I thought (no doubt you'll dispute this!). Portugal went from strength to strength and won the competition after limping out of the same group without a victory to their name, maybe Austria could have found some form as well.

**DeLorean** · 15/01/2018, 8:54 AM

Originally Posted by brine3

They were knocked out of the Euros in the group stage in 2016. In 2008 they qualified as host (their first ever Euros) but also went home in the group stage. That's all they've done in terms of World Cup or European championship tournaments this century.

How is 2008 relevant exactly? (A tournament we didn't come close to qualifying for, losing 5-2 to Cyprus amongst other catastrophes).

Don't think we need to be particularly jealous of their recent achievements, to be honest.

They took 28 points out of 30 in their qualification group. You don't have to be jealous to appreciate it was a fine achievement and something we're basically incapable of.

**Olé Olé** · 15/01/2018, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

The same media who've been using their platform to decry his behaviour for the last two weeks or so?
"Yeah, sorry I said that about you, now can i get a quote on the Stoke job?"

Okay so. Don't do it through the media. Try doing it outside of the media. A statement. Anything. I'm not looking to provide the media with quotes and soundbites. I'm saying it's a means to put out his message.

**DeLorean** · 15/01/2018, 11:33 AM

Stoke appoint Paul Lambert - https://www.theguardian.com/football...rt-new-manager

**pineapple stu** · 15/01/2018, 12:23 PM

Would be underwhelmed by that if I was a Stoke fan

**brine3** · 15/01/2018, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

How is 2008 relevant exactly?

It's relevant to compare finals tournament success. That's ultimately the end goal of international football.

Austria haven't made it past the initial group phase of a finals tournament since 1982.

Over on footie.at, they are probably jealous of our achievements, to be honest.