Robson: Win should see end to Staunton criticism

Bobby Robson last night defiantly stood by Steve Staunton as a 1-0 win over Slovakia saw the pressure finally lift on the Republic of Ireland boss.

Bobby Robson last night defiantly stood by Steve Staunton as a 1-0 win over Slovakia saw the pressure finally lift on the Ireland boss.

Robson, no stranger to criticism himself throughout his reign as England manager, issued a stinging rebuke to the critics who he feels have made Staunton’s life unbearable in recent times.

The 74-year-old is now demanding a period of calm as Staunton can head into the summer safe in the knowledge his job is safe on the back of Kevin Doyle’s 12th-minute headed winner in the Euro 2008 Group D qualifier.

It was Ireland’s fourth successive group victory, and while they may not have been the prettiest of sides to watch at times, they are now in with a fervent shout of qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals

No wonder Robson bristled with indignation at the press following this latest triumph, repeatedly jabbing the table in front of him as he hammered home his points.

“I rang Stan (Staunton) at two o’clock this afternoon and said to him ’win, lose or draw, we go into the press conference together’,” stated Robson.

“Seeing some of the outrageous remarks and the writing over the last few days, this could have been an horrific night for Stan if we had lost, so I felt I should stand by him.

“But we haven’t lost. Now let’s hope we’ve six months of calmness, some sensibility, something constructive, intelligent, fair and reasonable.

“He has had a rough ride. Hopefully that’s over now and things will settle down because we’ve put ourselves in a great position to attack the next few matches.

“Hopefully he gets a bit of relief. The stay of execution is over and he can now live a life. I’m delighted for him.”

Ireland’s next competitive matches are not until September in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, allowing Staunton the possibility of five-month’s peace.

Ireland have friendlies against Bolivia and Ecuador at the end of May, and one in Denmark in August before then, offering Staunton the opportunity to build towards the qualifying run-in.

“It’s always nice to have friendlies,” said Staunton, who must have been more than grateful to Robson for his pointed remarks.

“We can go away in the summer, and depending on who is available, we will be looking to blood one or two more players. That’s all we can do.

“Unfortunately when we come back next season we are going to be away in Denmark before two tricky away games in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.”

Despite a recent hamstring injury, Staunton was forced to start with goalscorer Doyle due to captain Robbie Keane serving a one-match ban.

“The half-hour he had on Saturday (against Wales) blew the cobwebs out of his system,” said Staunton.

“He took his goal well. From my viewpoint he didn’t look like he was going to get across the defender, but fair play to him, he did magnificently well.

“We know Kevin can score goals, and once he gets match fit again, he is going to be a handful.”

As against Wales, the Republic were still far too wasteful in the second half, yet that was offset by the fact they were magnificent defensively.

Captain for the night Shay Given was rarely tested, with Staunton adding: “I thought we produced what we did against the Czechs – a performance of pace and passion in the first half.

“Then when they were on top in the second, our back four and keeper were magnificent. Overall, I’m delighted.”