Staunton and FAI on fans’ hitlist

FOR Irish soccer fans, the FAI has become a FAI-lure and now both Steve Staunton and FAI boss John Delaney must go.

That is according to Alan Hunter of the Irish Football Supporters’ Association, speaking after Ireland’s disappointing draw with Cyprus.

“We sat for two hours last night freezing our butts off in Croke Park thinking we were going to get revenge for Nicosia [when Ireland were beaten by Cyprus 5-2 last year]. What we saw was a team with no plan and no direction.”

He said when John Delaney appointed Steve Staunton with back-up from Bobby Robson, fans believed it was a good combination.

“But when we went to Cyprus, Bobby was not there and Steve needed support and John Delaney did not give him any.

“There is no longer any interest in Stan or John Delaney being at the helm. Stan is a man with passion, but he has not got the experience.”

He said dissatisfaction was rife in the team.

“I believe there are a couple of players who are going to walk away,” he said.

“Who wants to be a part of that when they are part of the English Premiership?

“It is totally degrading to sit there with the best fans in the world and, such is the level of frustration, they have to boo their side.”

So where does the Irish Football Supporters’ Association see the future of the team?

“We have to spend the money to get a person like [Jose] Mourinho. It is better to have some success even if it is at a cost. We are out of the last two major tournaments even though the talent we see on display comes from the English Premiership. I am sure there are not many people who would be enthused about the job at the moment. But the likes of David O’Leary or Andy Townsend should be approached.”

Mr Hunter also launched a blistering attack on the senior players in the squad for not showing leadership.

“Robbie Keane, John O’Shea and Kevin Kilbane should be ashamed of themselves for the way they have been playing.

“The young players are showing them up.”