Posted by : Tom Doyle in (Football (Soccer), Rantings, Sports) 12th Oct, 2006
Stan steps up to Ireland’s call
I was at Lansdowne Road last night to witness Ireland’s game against the Czech Republic. Although after last Saturdays result, it looked like a great result for us I couldn’t help feel hard done by, by last weeks result.
Yes, the team played with heart and grit and we created more of the chances - why wasn’t it there last Saturday against the Cyprians who were beaten 3-1 by Wales. That’s the same wales that lost 5-1 to the Czechs on Saturday. In fact the game was quite boring, so boring that my 6 year old nephew whom I’d brought to see his first Ireland match ever fell asleep half way through the second half!!!
Tactically, I don’t think Ireland were any different, the main difference last night was Ireland’s desire to show the fans and the media that they can compete at this level.
It’s this that concerns me. It looks like Steve Staunton isn’t the man that is motivating his team, which he should be! All the great managers will tell you that motivation is key to any teams success…. Just look at what Martin O’Neill is doing at Aston Villa. We never got this response from the Irish team since Steve has taken charge.
He may be technically capable, that has yet to be proven - but so far he certainly doesn’t seem to have control of the dressing room… Is it any wonder when we always knew him as the “Quiet Man”?