Devlin - Failed before he started ??

**GroundFootball** · 09/05/2006, 3:36 PM

Originally Posted by bigmac

Neither is Devlin.

Neither of the two mentioned said anything about English players having qualities lacking in foreign players. Would it have been better if Devlin had said currently the standard is at League Two but we're working to improve it? I think that those people who got really annoyed at it would have been equally annoyed at that as well.
I agree he shouldn't have said it, but I think some people have gone over the top a bit in chastising him.

First of All Devlin is the Manager of the Irleand MEN's B team.
Which you would imagine will be players on the fringe of the Irish squad a reasonably substantial team I would have thought.
Which is both an international team (in that they will play against other countries)...
...and a men's team(in that it's not an underage or a womens team).

As for your other comment well the Devlin's statment is simply not accurate. It's not as simple as that as there are some teams who'd give good championship sides a run for their money and there are others who would be.... less good.
If you were to say that all Premiership teams were of the same standard it wouldn't be true. Similarly for any other league, but leagues in small countries will always have the biggest variation in standards. Look at practically every other small nation.

**MariborKev** · 09/05/2006, 3:40 PM

Thanks A Face,

That gave me a good chuckle whilst on a break from revising for my finals.

A number of the points you raise I'm not going to bother to answer, as I don't need to justify them to you.

The people on this board who know me, will I'm sure, have had a laugh at some of characteristics you attribute to me.

As regards Rico's comments on Wimbeldon, I wrote to Damien at the time. Too be fair to him, he also wrote back and explained his view. Whilst I was still opposed to his position, he took the time to reply and I respected him for that.

The Wimbeldon move also motivated me to join the NLU, which was the forerunner to the NLSA.

**GroundFootball** · 09/05/2006, 3:47 PM

On that point what is the standard of the Dutch League or the Norwegian League or the Belgian League?
The answer is

Ajax,PSV, Feyenoord - Consistantly Champions League/Uefa Cup

Willem II et al - Well you tell me...

But I doubt anyone involved with their FA would suggest that their league was of the standard of another's lower tiers, not in the national press anyway, even if it is (which it is).

I'm bored now!!!

**A face** · 09/05/2006, 4:09 PM

Originally Posted by bigmac

Would it have been better if Devlin had said currently the standard is at League Two but we're working to improve it?

Yes, it would have been better but that is not the issue, he shouldn't have said it in the first place, end of.

I agree he shouldn't have said it, but I think some people have gone over the top a bit in chastising him.

Where has he been chastised exactly ??

**ColinR** · 09/05/2006, 4:15 PM

Originally Posted by A face

Where has he been chastised exactly ??

"To criticize severely"

- eh he has been 'chastised' in this thread, and pretty much every other thread about him on foot.ie (either rightly or wrongly)

**A face** · 09/05/2006, 4:27 PM

Originally Posted by ColinR

"To criticize severely"

- eh he has been 'chastised' in this thread, and pretty much every other thread about him on foot.ie (either rightly or wrongly)

Colin ..... wrong ..... i have criticised his actions, i have criticised the fact he holds positions that are completely compromising, i have criticised the decision because the guy isn't suitability qualified or ideal for the job.

All points which i believe to be true, i have not chastised him or his character.

I'll ask this again ..... if he is wrong, are we not allowed highlight it? Why do we have to stay silent on this? I've not heard a decent answer to this ever ...... seriously, for all the threads that went into multiple pages i have not yet heard an answer to those questions?

Bray fans have even said "how dare you question him" and stuff similar yet they have never backed it up with a reason as to why we shouldn't ..... i am completely open minded on this one aswell, if someone has a decent reason as to why we should all toe the party line and not dare to question him, then i'm all ears.

**monkey magic** · 09/05/2006, 8:03 PM

Originally Posted by Superhoops

Why do you think that is? Would be anything to do with the fact that they could not see anything wrong with Devlin's comments!

thats a plainly stupid comment, anyone whos been following domestic football on this island for more than five minutes will know what im talking about; tha fai's apathy to our league.

if thats the only arguement your gonna put up in his defence, then i think the point is proven..

theres an underlying issue here, its the "ah sure it ill be alright" attitude thats around our league. newsflash; the league isnt alright, and clubs are really struggling..
if youve ever been out fundraising for a club youl know what i mean, and stuff like this is a bit of a kick in the teeth to commercial managers who are out there trying to get sponsorship and exposure for the league.

mr devlin is in a position of power and as such has a voice in the media. people read papers and a loose comment like this can undo a lot of good work. thats all im saying on the issue.

**bigmac** · 10/05/2006, 8:40 AM

Originally Posted by A face

Colin ..... wrong ..... i have criticised his actions, i have criticised the fact he holds positions that are completely compromising, i have criticised the decision because the guy isn't suitability qualified or ideal for the job.

Eh, that's called chastising him.

**A face** · 10/05/2006, 2:03 PM

Originally Posted by bigmac

Eh, that's called chastising him.

Eh, that's called chastising his actions ..... difference !!!

**joeSoap** · 10/05/2006, 2:43 PM

I've had dealings with Devlin on the business side of life and my opinion of him is quite low. There are certain adjectives and nouns I would like to use, but out of respect for this board, can't and won't. How the FAI can consider this man to be a suitable ambassador beggars belief. I say ambassador, because thats all he'll be. He won't be picking squads, teams or dictating tactics. This will all come from Stan, or at least I presume it will. He is a figurehead from the EL in an attempt to placate the EL's standing within the realms of the FAI.

That said, I believe his comparison of EL to League 2 quite fair actually, and generally correct. Bray, Waterford, Sligo and a few others wouldn't even hack it in the Conference ffs, while Cork, Shels, Derry and Drogs would survive in the Championship if funded better. Swings and roundabouts that probably average out at around League 2 standard imo...