Staunton: Let’s snap out of away daze
Boosted by last week’s emphatic win in Denmark, the Irish manager now wants to see his side bring a similarly positive attitude to the crucial games against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Speaking at the squad announcement in Dublin yesterday, Staunton said: “Over the last 20 or even 30 years we haven’t really been adventurous or positive enough away from home to go and win games.
“In a hostile atmosphere, players do sometimes sit back without even knowing it, so I’m trying to change their mindset. Away from home you’re always a bit cautious and wary but that doesn’t mean you can’t close people down or support other players who are doing that. That’s a given in my book.”
Staunton’s thoughts have clearly been coloured by the nervy first 20 minutes in Aarhus before Ireland imposed themselves on the Danes. And he believes that the Irish simply cannot afford a similarly slow start against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
“It was good to score some goals, good to win away from home and good to keep a clean sheet,” said Staunton. “But I am not getting carried away because I thought the first 15 or 20 minutes we were very fortunate. There was some good defending and some good goalkeeping but there was some lazy close-down play. It wasn’t what I’d expect. And I think if we had that same performance for the first 15 or 20 minutes in Bratislava or against the Czech Republic, we will get punished.”
Staunton is also conscious of a lesson from history.
“If you remember back after the World Cup (in 2002), we went to Finland and trounced them. And then we went to Russia and looked a bit of a pub team. So I don’t want that to happen. If anybody thinks they are going to Bratislava and will have it easy, they are mistaken, because the Slovaks are a very good side. We saw what they are about in Dublin, but they have also added a couple more young players who have added to their game.”
As expected, Stephen Carr is ruled out of the new squad with the hamstring injury he picked up with Newcastle on Sunday. But the silver lining to this particular cloud is that Staunton has never had more strength in depth since taking the Irish job.
“I’m hoping that there will be 14 disappointed people plus another 100 players that haven’t been included in the squad,” he said. “And that’s what’s happening. Players are desperate to be part of the squad. We have created a special atmosphere. They have all had a taste of it at some stage and they are all desperate to be a part of it. But there are only 11 who can play and that will be the 11 that I think can go out and do the best job for Ireland.”
Asked whether that first 11 could accommodate both the inventive skills of both Stephen Ireland and Andy Reid, Staunton responded with mock amazement: “What? Two players who can play and pass? That’s what I’m looking for. I’m looking for competition. When you are looking at midfield there is healthy competition there. I thought Darren Potter was excellent in Denmark. Darron Gibson came on at half-time for his first senior outing and I thought he looked so comfortable. And you’ve got the likes of Jonathan Douglas coming back, and Lee Carsley is there. So there are a lot of combinations — a lot of different types of players — and we will be looking at what’s best for Ireland and trying to win the games.”
Staunton was particularly effusive in his praise for Richard Dunne.
“Over the last 12 months he has matured and taken on responsibility,” he said. “He had waited for others whereas now he’s stepped up to the plate. Richard and John O’Shea were outstanding in Aarhus — both imposing figures, both big lads and they’re starting to use that to great effect. It was a pleasure for me to play with Richard, you always knew what he could do and what he would do. He’s getting better with his distribution as well so that’s going to be a big help. But as a defender he’s as good as anybody.”
Staunton says he has no doubt that Shay Given, on the way back from a groin injury, will be fit to play in the qualifiers — even if he fails to play in Newcastle’s next match.
“No player has to play any game,” he said. “If a player is injured we can call them in and assess their fitness under UEFA rules. So there is no problem with Shay. He was on the bench on Sunday, so I presume if (Steve) Harper had been injured during the game, Shay would have gone on.”
Staunton confirmed that Bobby Robson, who is still receiving treatment following his latest bout with cancer, won’t be travelling. He also revealed that Ireland will play another B international, this time away to Scotland, after Ireland’s final qualifier, against Wales, in November.
Finally, after what had been an emotional week for the Irish manager, Staunton still found it too difficult yesterday to take questions about the passing of his father, Tom, but he did mention the value of the support he had received from within the Irish football.
“It has helped me greatly,” he said.
Colgan (Barnsley), Doyle (Birmingham), Given (Newcastle), Henderson (Preston), Dunne (Man City), Finnan (Liverpool), Foley (Wolves), Kelly (Birmingham), McShane (Sunderland), O’Shea (Man Utd), Carsley (Everton), Douglas (Leeds), Gibson (Man Utd), Hunt (Reading), Ireland (Man City), Kilbane (Wigan), McGeady (Celtic), O’Brien (Hibernian), Potter (Wolves), A Reid (Charlton), Doyle (Reading), Keane (Tottenham), Keogh (Wolves), Long (Reading), Murphy (Sunderland).
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