Dunne issues rallying cry

Richard Dunne is demanding a unified front and an end to the baiting of under-fire Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr ahead of the country’s biggest game for several years.

The lacklustre manner of Saturday’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Cyprus in Nicosia has hardly inspired confidence, and in many respects only served to intensify the pressure on Kerr.

Wednesday’s death-or-glory clash against Switzerland at Lansdowne Road could ultimately prove to be his last game in charge after 32 months at the helm, with the Republic needing a win to guarantee themselves a play-off place.

The situation has not been helped by the Football Association of Ireland’s vow of silence regarding Kerr’s future, with his contract due to expire.

How galling it must have been for Kerr to have read about the Swiss Football Association recently awarding coach Kobi Kuhn a new two-year deal, even though at the time they still had two matches to play and were far from clinching a place at next summer’s World Cup.

If only the FAI had shown such courage then the circus which has surrounded Kerr since last month’s home defeat to France would not have overshadowed the current proceedings.

Manchester City centre-back Dunne feels the time is right to put the Kerr issue to one side and simply focus on nothing more than backing the players in their quest for victory.

“The situation with Brian has been annoying because we feel everything is being focused on the manager’s contract, and who is going to be the next manager,” explained Dunne.

“We feel as a group, with the importance of these two games, we are not getting much support. Everything seems to be negative.

“Yet in the camp everyone is fine. We all know what our job is, and the confidence is there and we are all really up for it.

“This is a big week for us. We want the crowd and media on our side. The more people we get behind us, the better.

“We all want to go to the World Cup, primarily for ourselves, but it would be nice if we had everyone behind us because that makes things easier and everyone can enjoy it a bit more.

“At the end of the day it’s our ambition and our will that is going to do it, more than the press or supporters.

“But if there are any side issues, they should be put to one side because there’s still a World Cup place at stake and it’s what everybody should be concentrating on.

“If the FIA are going to give Brian a new contract, or whatever, they are not going to do it before Wednesday.

“So everyone should just get behind us and let that issue sort itself out later. As long as we are all gunning for the same result now, that’s the main thing.”

Dunne concedes to a feeling of ‘doing it for Kerr’, adding: “Because of the press he has had in the last few weeks you do start to feel for him.

“He’s put everything into it over these last two years, travelling all over the world watching games.

“He enjoys managing Ireland, and I know he would love to be a manager at the World Cup. It would mean a lot to him to take us there.”

Charlton midfielder Matt Holland admitted his surprise at the speculation there has been surrounding Kerr because of the fact “he has done such a good job” and given the Republic are one win away from the play-offs.

“There’s always going to be speculation, which you try not to dwell on too much, but it has still been disappointing,” said Holland.

“Ahead of our last game we’re still in with a chance of going to the World Cup, so it’s not dead and buried.”

Holland defiantly stated: “The players are well aware of the situation – a one-off game, a cup final if you will, and such a massive fixture for us.

“We’re all desperate to play in the World Cup, with Brian desperate to manage us, and with the supporters and media desperate for us to be there.

“All we need is the three points, so hopefully we’ll go into the game on Wednesday, put in a good performance, get the win and go on to qualify.”

But with two key players in Roy Keane and Damien Duff out through injury, it will be hoped their one remaining world-class player in goalkeeper Shay Given shakes off the ankle knock he is currently struggling with.