The Steve Staunton Discussion thread

**paul_oshea** · 19/10/2007, 11:06 AM

was a sub-committee of three

If you read that line, its almost as though he is trying to make out he wasnt even in that.

It's unfortunate that I've been personally linked to the appointment

Ya as though, its not his fault and how did this happen, will ye please feel sorry for me. Yet who was all over the media to be seen trying to make a name for himself when he was appointing him....such a little weasel cocking his dozy head up from the rocks.

**Wolfie** · 19/10/2007, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It's unfortunate that I've been personally linked to the appointment

That quote makes my blood boil

Delaney backs away from the dead man walking.

The only known case where the ship sinks and the rat stays.

**geysir** · 19/10/2007, 12:22 PM

Though I cant argue with the FAI board having to meet to make major decisions.

People forget that the semblance of the rules of an Association have to be seen to be followed.
The Board are invisible, yet they are essentially the ruling body of the FAI.

There has to be a perverse irony in that it takes Delaney to explain that to the RTE cameras but nobody believes that the board are anything other than spineless.

The media focus on Delaney as the man who makes the decisions is building up the myth of the man. The focus by the media should be on how come an Association that should be run by the Board, led by the President is instead in fact being run by Delaney.

**TonyD** · 19/10/2007, 12:38 PM

One of the things that really annoys me about Delaneys latest comments is that he had plenty to say about Kerrs abilities and shortcomings(as he saw them) when he was lining up to give him the boot (remember the bull**** talk about the "fear factor" at Landsdowne after the Swiss game.) Now suddenly he hasn't a word to say about Staunton - excpet of course "nothing to do with me guv". I wonder what he thinks about the fear factor of teams coming here now ?

**geysir** · 19/10/2007, 12:43 PM

We have become a possible "banana skin" to other teams attempts to gain away points.

**IRLPartridge** · 19/10/2007, 2:40 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Though I cant argue with the FAI board having to meet to make major decisions.

People forget that the semblance of the rules of an Association have to be seen to be followed.
The Board are invisible, yet they are essentially the ruling body of the FAI.

There has to be a perverse irony in that it takes Delaney to explain that to the RTE cameras but nobody believes that the board are anything other than spineless.

The media focus on Delaney as the man who makes the decisions is building up the myth of the man. The focus by the media should be on how come an Association that should be run by the Board, led by the President is instead in fact being run by Delaney.

Dont believe crap that the 'board' made the decision. This is a well known irish tactic of divulging responsibility. When a tough decision has to be made put a board / concil / tribunal together, and to save their skins let them appoint a subcommitee. Please keep all identitys as private as possible to prevent any culability in case it goes ars* about face. If its a really tough one, employ consultants (outside agencies) to make their own decision (you will meet them in advance to make sure this decision is the same as yours).

It is a shambles and only one man is responsible

To give a little backround I was in Japan, I stood and watched as Stan, had played his last game and was emotionally overcome late at night, my heart went out to him and he will always be a Irish football hero.
JD was at the heart of proceedings, he gave Mick the extension a few days before .. (no boards there!)
I enjoyed a drink with JD and I have to say I found him intelligent and bright, apparently he was a sucessful businessman, I well believe it.

What happened yesterday most people think was trivial, didnt even make the news. For me it was a monumental event.
JD hung Stan completely out to dry, to quite simply save his skin. He needed to disassociate himself from the shambles or else his job and reputation were at stake.

While I know the results was terrible, (I was in SanMarino, in bratislava and at the cyprus game), what annoyed me was that the performances were worse. I really feel for Stan, but I think he should be brave and step to one side. I know he is a fighter but I dont think people realise how fast Ireland is losing its fans.
JD should presuade stan to call it quits and should have the courage to own up to the FAI's poor judgement, they have destroyed Stan's management career and wasted 2 of our years.

I believe we have hit an absolute low point now, I have atteneded every home and away game since 2001 (excluding weddings and funerals) but I am seriously considering quitting out of my blockbooking.

The pain these performances are terrible for me, I really dont mind when we lose, but the lack of effort and cohesion is shocking.

On the upside I think the new manager will get some space, but please dont get too smart JD, no chances this time, get the best CV's and pick the best candidate, then you can stand back and say you have done your job right, otherwise you need to call a spade a spade, you are going to take a chance with a cheaper option, if it doesnt work we could slip way down the rankings and it will be probably 8 years before we can complete for a realistic qualification - then the only person being hung out to dry will be you.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 19/10/2007, 2:43 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Lads can those comments redarding Robbie Keane be backed up. I have not seen them anywhere and I reckon if they were said they would be all over the place. Anyway if you could find them that would be great because if he did say it its a disgrace.

I can clear that up, it wasn't Robbie Keane that said it as he didn't talk to the press afterwards. Apparantly it was Andy Keogh and his words were ill advised but are probably being taken out of context somewhat. It was reported in yesterday's Times.

**geysir** · 19/10/2007, 2:46 PM

Welcome aboard Partridge
and a good post,
no I don't believe the Board makes the decisions, that's my point.

**Ozymandias** · 19/10/2007, 2:47 PM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

I can clear that up, it wasn't Robbie Keane that said it as he didn't talk to the press afterwards. Apparantly it was Andy Keogh and his words were ill advised but are probably being taken out of context somewhat. It was reported in yesterday's Times.

thats the way i saw as well...the article stated that robbie wouldn't comment afterwards........see below

O'Brien and Hunt quick to refocus on Premiership
Gavin Cummiskey at Croke Park

What can be said to explain such a performance? It turns out very little. Several players stopped to give sheepish reactions to what had just transpired.

Certain questions were ready for them. Like, why they failed to produce anything resembling a performance that befits a team full of highly-paid English Premiership players? Or maybe they could explain why they can hold their own, at home at least, against top nations like the Germans or Czechs, but struggle to put weaker teams, such as Cyprus, away?

Team captain Robbie Keane declined to comment after the match, leaving Andy Keogh first up.

Reasons for this display? "I don't know. I can't say. It was just one of those nights. We didn't perform like we did Saturday and to be fair to Cyprus they did better than what we were doing. They created chances, we did too, but they took the one to take the lead and we were lucky to claw one back for the draw."

Then he made a bizarre statement that seemed to implicate the Irish public as a reason behind the poor display. "I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it doesn't help when the fans are getting on the team's back. We need the country behind us and trying to be that extra man as the Irish are renowned for, the great support they give."

What about Steve Staunton? "He's disappointed too. He wants to win as much as we want to win. It's a team thing and we are all in it together."

Joey O'Brien seemed to be defending the recent accusations that players don't hurt as much as the regular supporter. "What? So the players have no pride? All footballers are fans. We've pride in our country too. It's an awful feeling. We'll just have to fly back to England and try and do well for our clubs. There is a big match on Saturday so we will have to focus on the Premiership now."

Stephen Hunt was the most forthcoming when it came to accepting personal responsibility for what can be described as the lowest point Irish football has reached in over a generation.

"We haven't done ourselves justice. Individually, I didn't play well. That's the first time I haven't been able to bring my best form to this level. I'm more disappointed for my friends and family. Gutted. For the whole country too.

"I can only speak for myself. It wasn't good but I can't let it get my head down. I've got to get on with it. I've a big game for my club at the weekend and I've got to get things right there."

Reasons? "I don't know. It was a combination of things. Sometimes it just doesn't work out. That's football, isn't it? You don't know but you're honest enough to put your hands up and say could do better. I'll take it on the chin and try to learn from it. It's the only thing you can do, but for me it was disappointing definitely.

"If I don't get my head up quick I'll let my club down at the weekend so I've got to get my head up. I'm strong enough mentally to deal with it, but it's frustrating for the Irish public."

And then they were gone. Back to England. To their Premiership clubs and, as Brian Kerr described recently, the sanctuary of isolation.

**Wolfie** · 19/10/2007, 2:47 PM

Originally Posted by IRLPartridge

What happened yesterday most people think was trivial, didnt even make the news. For me it was a monumental event.
JD hung Stan completely out to dry, to quite simply save his skin. He needed to disassociate himself from the shambles or else his job and reputation were at stake.

That's what's happened - but it did have a depressing inevitability about it. Delaney should not be allowed side step this mess that he has created.

**NeilMcD** · 19/10/2007, 2:49 PM

So its a case of while there is an culture of blaming Robbie Keane to fling a load of other mud at him too.

**Armando** · 19/10/2007, 2:53 PM

[QUOTE=IRLPartridge;795527]What happened yesterday most people think was trivial, didnt even make the news. For me it was a monumental event.
JD hung Stan completely out to dry, to quite simply save his skin. He needed to disassociate himself from the shambles or else his job and reputation were at stake.
QUOTE]

Spot on.
That's exactly my take on Delaneys disgraceful performance last night. It was incredible to watch! I made sure i took it all in and after I was left in no doubt that I was right about my views on Delaney all along...He is a self serving snake and should be banished out of Irish football immediately.

**Dr. Ogba** · 19/10/2007, 3:13 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

So its a case of while there is an culture of blaming Robbie Keane to fling a load of other mud at him too.

Well in fairness Robbie Keane, as captain, should have made himself available to the media instead of the inexperienced youngsters in the squad....he is supposed to represent the entire squad...

**paul_oshea** · 19/10/2007, 3:31 PM

He is a self serving snake and should be banished out of Irish football immediately.

St Patrick where are you in our hour of need? our is that St Brendan? well between the two of them they could do a "job" for our country right now

**geysir** · 19/10/2007, 4:23 PM

I think we need Collins and the 12 Apostles

**Armando** · 19/10/2007, 4:27 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

St Patrick where are you in our hour of need? our is that St Brendan? well between the two of them they could do a "job" for our country right now

I was going to add that myself, but knew it would only be a matter of time before someone saved me the typing.

**Scram** · 19/10/2007, 5:47 PM

Originally Posted by Armando

I was going to add that myself, but knew it would only be a matter of time before someone saved me the typing.

Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
St Patrick where are you in our hour of need? our is that St Brendan? well between the two of them they could do a "job" for our country right now

I was going to add that myself, but knew it would only be a matter of time before someone saved me the typing..[/QUOTE]

Poor Aul Stan, St. Jude would be more appropriate

**EastTerracer** · 19/10/2007, 6:02 PM

Ok, we've established that Robbie didn't criticise the fans (we can forgive Andy Keogh due to his youth). I think a bigger issue is the abuse that has been heaped on Robbie and Stan through the press over the last few days.

Robbie has not been playing well for us but anyone suggesting that he doesn't care or doesn't try are obviously not watching the matches. He is trying to do way too much on the pitch (running all the way back to left-back the other night to try to make a tackle). He takes his role of captain very seriously but at Spurs he has lots of other senior players around him and he is one of many voices. With Ireland he feels the need to do everyone's jobs. That pressure should be taken off him by whoever ultimately takes over.

Similarly, any of the suggestions that Stan is taking the pi$$ (it's been said on these forums!) or is a wan*er are just abusive. The guy always gave 100% as a player and I have no doubt that he is doing it as a manager - the problem is that some inspiration is required as well as perspiration. He just doesn't have the skills to manage. The blame for that lies squarely at the feet of John Delaney.

Staunton has to go but don't forget who is really responsible!