Lay off Stan, says Robson

Bobby Robson has launched a vigorous defence of Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton, demanding his critics give him a break.

Ireland's hopes of playing in next summer's Euro 2008 finals now rest on a mathematical miracle unfolding, yet even international football consultant Robson recognises they cannot qualify.

However, Robson believes no blame should be laid at the door of Staunton, who took on the job without any experience, and yet he has been on the receiving end of some severe criticism.

Robson acknowledges there have been poor performances, notably in Cyprus a year ago when Ireland were embarrassed 5-2.

Then in February against San Marino, the Republic scraped a 2-1 win courtesy of a late winner from Stephen Ireland, so narrowly avoiding one of the greatest shocks in football history.

But the 74-year-old feels Staunton is learning all the time, and with experience now on his side, he will be a stronger, improved manager.

"He's learned a lot," insisted Robson.

"I don't think he's making mistakes, and is it the public or the media who remain unconvinced? Is it the media who are persuading the public to think that way?

"If you are intelligent, constructive, fair and reasonable, then I'll go along with you.

"But if you are destructive, unfair, unreasonable, unintelligent, I don't want to know you.

"The fans read the papers, listen to their radios and watch their televisions, and the media can be very persuasive people.

"It depends what you print and what is shown, but I think Stan needs a break.

"He has been in the job nearly two years, and it takes that time to get to know the job, and it's his first in management.

"He has not had like I did at Ipswich, 14 years of experience, of going into Europe. Stan came into it new, blind if you like.

"But he is a better man-manager now than he was two years ago, he is bound to be.

"There's been unfair criticism, but it comes with not winning. We understand it, and we don't crib about it."

Robson concedes not qualifying - Ireland need to win their final two matches and the Czechs to lose their remaining three - is naturally a great disappointment.

Yet aside from those matches in Cyprus and San Marino, Robson is optimistic with regard to the future as he maintains the displays have been respectable and on a par with a team in transition.

"We're disappointed we're not going to qualify," assessed Robson, ahead of Wednesday's game with Cyprus at Dublin's Croke Park.

"We thought we had a reasonable chance, not a great one because we always thought the Czechs and Germans would dominate the group, but maybe we could nick in there.

"Aside from Cyprus when we got a thrashing - one we shouldn't have had - and San Marino when we nearly had another shock, in the other eight games I feel we've given decent performances and come close to getting maximum points.

"We only got one point from the games in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. On another visit, and playing similarly, we possibly could have picked up four.

"We had the game won in Slovakia. I wasn't there, but I was just about to switch off the television thinking we had won, and yet we drew 2-2, losing two big points.

"Then against the Czechs we missed a couple of reasonable chances, as we did against Germany, so I don't think we've been disgraced."

Whether Robson will continue to assist Staunton through the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign remains to be seen as he is due to discuss his future once the current programme ends against Wales next month.

Robson was appointed to his role on a two-year contract in January 2006, but has missed several matches as he has undergone treatment for cancer.

Although he maintains he is not under doctor's orders to quit, he said: "I'm fighting, which is as good as I can say.

"I've been on chemotherapy, so that dragged me down a little bit, and I have to think about the future.

"I'm here to see the campaign out. I shall certainly take in the Wales match, and then look at it.

"I've not been told to stop. But it's something I must discuss with Stan (Staunton) and (FAI chief executive) John Delaney, and see what's in store for me."