Quinn: Irish Cats must raise the ante
Roy Keane was in the process of holding final talks with Anton Ferdinand when Quinn was speaking at the Docklands Festival of Gaelic Football and Hurling in Dublin yesterday.
With the transfer window closing on Monday, Quinn admitted Sunderland were hoping to secure one more significant signing in the coming days but would say no more.
“The problem with telling media about targets is that, if it doesn’t come off, it is a huge letdown. What not to do is get our fans all dizzy and excited. It is much better to work hard and if they come, they come.”
The arrival of the West Ham defender would see Paul McShane drop further down the list of Keane’s preferences and competition is even more cutthroat at the far end of the pitch.
The arrivals of Djibril Cisse and El-Hadji Diouf have added to the battle for strikers where Darryl Murphy, Anthony Stokes and David Connolly already had to jostle with the likes of Kenwyne Jones and Michael Chopra.
With Teemu Tainio and Steed Malbranque added to the midfield mix, Andy Reid and Liam Miller will also know that standing still will see them passed out.
“It happened to me at Arsenal,” said Quinn. “I spent three years trying to get into the team and then ended up having to go to Man City but I gave three years trying my hardest and I don’t want anybody to give just three weeks trying their hardest.
“We want Darryl, Anthony and the rest to try their hardest. Bringing players in, it’s not just about them playing better, it’s about them raising the ante at the club. We are kicking on and trying to bring these guys with us.
“It’s there for the taking for all the Irish lads. Liam Miller is proof of that. Liam was out the door and suddenly he was back playing in some very important games for us.”
Murphy has started Sunderland’s first two league games thus far this season, as has Reid, and it is the midfielder who would appear best positioned to cement his place in the first XI. The Dubliner arrived from Charlton midway through last season and was an instant hit with fans.
“Andy brought sense and a meaning to the tension surrounding a struggling club. He came with a big smile. A pound or two overweight, but he got his head up, played brilliant football for us, made us all relax a bit.”
Reid’s absence from the Irish team that started against Norway in Oslo last week came as a shock to most observers. Quinn however is more circumspect. “When a new manager comes in there is a lot happening and the serious games haven’t happened yet. Jack used a load of players when I started out and then the team settled.
“That’s where Andy has to come good and have a great season this year, be part of the team when they are playing World Cup qualifiers. They are the games that really count.”
With Ireland’s opening World Cup qualifier 10 days away, the Sunderland chairman remains optimistic about the side’s chances and, unlike Keane, sees Liam Brady’s input as crucial.
The atmosphere in the squad is, he feels, better than it has been in recent times where tension was evident for every game but he has called on fans to be patient as Giovanni Trapattoni and the squad get to know one another.
“We had 10 years under Big Jack where it was about getting the ball in the box and outing them under pressure. It is the opposite now but that is what is required in the modern game.
“I hope the fans don’t get too dismayed if we play one up front at home. The system is worked in a way to carve out a few chances and keep it tight at the back. In many ways, Jack got that out of us.”
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