After watching Ireland demolish Gibraltar this weekend, thanks in main to another man of the match performance from Robbie Keane, it reminded me of a post I wrote from November 14th, 2011. Almost 3 full years later, it seems even more relevant now than it did back under the Giovanni Trapattoni era - when a lot was been said about removing Robbie from the starting 11. Some even called for him to retire altogether. I could easily have written the exact piece this week with a few minor detail changes.
Do us all a favour Robbie - Retire from international football, effective immediately.
Thanks for everything Robbie.
You’ve done your best.
You really have.
But being honest - it just wasn’t quite good enough.
Now don’t you think it’s time you did us Irish a favour and retired from international football?
Preferably before the European Championships.
Preferably before Tuesday’s return leg against Estonia.
Let’s just say your performance in the first leg was the final straw.
Quite simply, you were muck.
I know you got 2 goals in an important match.
Again.
But 1 was a peno in fairness...
I know you set up Jon Walters with a brilliant cross.
As well as playing Stephen Hunt through to win the peno.
And you were also the player who drew the 2 fouls which saw 2 Estonians sent off.
But to be honest Robbie, I’m looking for more from an Irish striker these days than 2 goals, 1 and a half assists and getting 2 players sent off through your quickness of thought and speed of movement.
I want to see more to strikers in general than just goals and assists actually.
People will argue that you have 53 international goals.
More than Shearer, Owen, Lineker, Keegan or Charlton.
More than Rush, Hughes, Dalglish, Law or Best.
In fact, more than any British player.
Ever.
Even though most of them were playing for far superior teams than you at the time.
But I always just felt your goals came against lesser nations.
And while Ireland never had a player good enough to score against the lesser nations until you came along, it’s the big games that count.
Like a Play-Off for a major tournament.
People will say you played in 4 Play-Offs and scored in 4 Play-Offs.
But I see the fact that you only scored 5 goals from those 6 games as being the reason we didn’t qualify from more of them.
I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself that you scored 3 goals (plus 1 more in the shoot-out) in the World Cup in 2002 and they were big games.
But one of those was against Saudi Arabia.
I don’t even know where that is Robbie.
I’ll give you the goals against Germany and Spain.
You deserve some credit.
But that still doesn’t change the fact that you are only really capable of scoring at home.
Away games against Holland, Italy and France excluded of course.
Or that cracker you got against Holland when we won 1-0.
Cause that was only a friendly.
But now it’s time for change.
Kevin Doyle is a much better player anyway.
He is 28 now and although Mick McCarthy is the only manager to spend proper money on him, it was €7.5m well spent.
Unlike yourself, who has had Gordon Strachan, Marcello Lippi, Dave O’Leary, Glenn Hoddle, Rafa Benitez and Harry Redknapp spend over €90m on you.
Kevin could get a move to someone like Internazionale, it’s just Wolves won’t sell him, that’s all.
Then there’s Shane Long as well.
23 goals in the Championship and West Bromwich Albion immediately threw €5.2m at Reading for him.
Yes Robbie, West Bromwich Albion.
And now we also have Leon Best.
He’s scored in 2 separate games in the Premier League this season.
He must start.
Along with Jon Walters.
He is also 28 and despite the fact that when you were 28 you had 33 internationals to your name, this guy has scored 3 goals in the Premier League this season.
3 goals Robbie.
He has to start ahead of you.
So, I appreciate your commitment and loyalty to the Irish side over the past 14 seasons but really, we’re not looking for someone who will turn up for every game and give 100% commitment no matter what.
You have given more to this country on the football pitch than anyone could ever ask of a player and have never once complained - but it’s time to move on now Robbie.
So all the Irish supporters who aren’t ‘fans’ of yours can experience what it’s going to be like when we’re well and truly fucked without you...
Showing posts with label Robbie Keane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robbie Keane. Show all posts
Monday, 13 October 2014
Friday, 12 October 2012
Same Pitch. Different Playing Fields.
Ireland.
Germany.
Aviva Stadium.
The road to World Cup qualification has begun.
And tonight’s fixture will go a long way to deciding who qualifies from Group C.
Ireland have just come off the back of qualification for their first major tournament in 10 years.
Germany have failed to qualify for a major tournament just once.
Ever.
In all 29 tournaments they've entered.
Failed just once.
At this summers European Championships, Ireland of course, failed to win a single point.
Germany won every game in a group containing Holland, Portugal and Denmark before being knocked out in the semi-finals.
Their loss to Italy ending a run of 14 straight competitive victories.
Meaning in their last qualification campaign, the Germans won 10 out of 10.
In fact, Germany can boast such an impressive qualification record that they come to Dublin having never lost a World Cup qualification game away from home.
Let me repeat myself.
Since 1932, Germany have never lost an away game during qualification for the World Cup.
Ireland’s last notable away victory came in 1987.
And it was Scotland who won it for them.
They also go into this match without their 4 most influential players of the last decade.
They will start a competitive match without one of Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff or Robbie Keane for the first time in 13 seasons.
In fact, their squad has been so decimated with injuries and retirement that it contains only 3 players from the top half of the Premier League.
It has a grand total of 1 player from this seasons Champions League.
15 less than their counterparts.
Ireland will start the match with Sunderland’s reserve team goalkeeper.
Germany will have the second most expensive keeper of all time between the posts.
The home sides defence will be made up from Everton, Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Toronto FC.
The away side will include players from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.
Midfield will pith Bolton Wanderers against Real Madrid.
Birmingham City against Bayern Munich.
And Nottingham Forest against even more Real Madrid.
In attack, one notable absentee will be a L.A. Galaxy centre forward.
No such worries on the other side with options from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal to choose from.
The type of clubs that Germany usually pick their players from.
The type of clubs that has allowed Germany finish at least 3rd in the last 3 World Cups.
The type that has them ranked as the second best team in the world.
Second only to Spain.
The team that punished the Irish so severely when Ireland had their full strength side out.
A team that will line up tonight against a nation who are on a different playing field.
But this game doesn’t take place on a playing field.
It takes place on a pitch.
A pitch where strange things occur.
A pitch where anything can happen.
Where teams ranked 28th defeat teams ranked much higher.
Where 1 goal is all it takes.
A deflection.
An own goal.
A set-piece.
Where one team can completely dominate a game and fail to score.
The same sort of pitch that Greece prevailed on.
Same sort that saw Switzerland put 5 past Germany just a couple of months ago.
The sort that has seen Ireland defeat Italians and Dutch and English and Spanish.
Defeat Germans even.
We may not be on the same playing field tonight.
But we are on the same pitch.
It’s time to believe...
Germany.
Aviva Stadium.
The road to World Cup qualification has begun.
And tonight’s fixture will go a long way to deciding who qualifies from Group C.
Ireland have just come off the back of qualification for their first major tournament in 10 years.
Germany have failed to qualify for a major tournament just once.
Ever.
In all 29 tournaments they've entered.
Failed just once.
At this summers European Championships, Ireland of course, failed to win a single point.
Germany won every game in a group containing Holland, Portugal and Denmark before being knocked out in the semi-finals.
Their loss to Italy ending a run of 14 straight competitive victories.
Meaning in their last qualification campaign, the Germans won 10 out of 10.
In fact, Germany can boast such an impressive qualification record that they come to Dublin having never lost a World Cup qualification game away from home.
Let me repeat myself.
Since 1932, Germany have never lost an away game during qualification for the World Cup.
Ireland’s last notable away victory came in 1987.
And it was Scotland who won it for them.
They also go into this match without their 4 most influential players of the last decade.
They will start a competitive match without one of Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff or Robbie Keane for the first time in 13 seasons.
In fact, their squad has been so decimated with injuries and retirement that it contains only 3 players from the top half of the Premier League.
It has a grand total of 1 player from this seasons Champions League.
15 less than their counterparts.
Ireland will start the match with Sunderland’s reserve team goalkeeper.
Germany will have the second most expensive keeper of all time between the posts.
The home sides defence will be made up from Everton, Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Toronto FC.
The away side will include players from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.
Midfield will pith Bolton Wanderers against Real Madrid.
Birmingham City against Bayern Munich.
And Nottingham Forest against even more Real Madrid.
In attack, one notable absentee will be a L.A. Galaxy centre forward.
No such worries on the other side with options from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal to choose from.
The type of clubs that Germany usually pick their players from.
The type of clubs that has allowed Germany finish at least 3rd in the last 3 World Cups.
The type that has them ranked as the second best team in the world.
Second only to Spain.
The team that punished the Irish so severely when Ireland had their full strength side out.
A team that will line up tonight against a nation who are on a different playing field.
But this game doesn’t take place on a playing field.
It takes place on a pitch.
A pitch where strange things occur.
A pitch where anything can happen.
Where teams ranked 28th defeat teams ranked much higher.
Where 1 goal is all it takes.
A deflection.
An own goal.
A set-piece.
Where one team can completely dominate a game and fail to score.
The same sort of pitch that Greece prevailed on.
Same sort that saw Switzerland put 5 past Germany just a couple of months ago.
The sort that has seen Ireland defeat Italians and Dutch and English and Spanish.
Defeat Germans even.
We may not be on the same playing field tonight.
But we are on the same pitch.
It’s time to believe...
Monday, 10 September 2012
Good Memories Were Had In Kazakhstan
World Cup qualification begun on Friday for Ireland.
A boost was needed to erase the memories of the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.
A resounding victory over the lowly ranked Kazakhstan and we could all start to move on from those 3 heavy defeats from the summer.
A resounding victory and we may all start to believe again.
Not only believe in Brazil.
But believe in Giovanni once more.
Cut to the 89th minute in Astana on Friday night and calls for Giovanni’s head could be heard all the way back to Ireland.
What transpired over the next 2 minutes had a big effect on our qualification hopes.
But no doubt, it also had major consequences on the next 2 years of Irish football.
Lost, and we may already have had to give up the chase for qualification.
Worse still - lost, and we may have had to find a new manager.
The pressure Giovanni would have brought upon himself following a 1-0 defeat to Kazakhstan, coupled with the memory of the summer, may have proved too much even for the greatest of Italian managers to survive.
So although appreciative Robbie and Kevin’s double got us 3 points, it’s the ramifications they’ve had on Giovanni that we should be most thankful for.
You see, memory in football these days is shorter than it’s ever been.
Calls for Giovanni’s head, despite 3 points in Astana, is no greater proof of this.
Irish supporters seem to forget, that although the performance in both the Euros and on the astro pitch on Friday night were poor - they were a far cry from where we were before Giovanni’s appointment.
Being placed in a tough group containing the 2 finalists in Euro 2012 has been discussed before.
With our squad of players it was very difficult to see us with Giovanni, or any other manager for that matter, getting out of the group.
As for Kazakhstan, the supporters need to realise this was something of a new beginning.
Missing through retirement or suspension was Shay Given, Damien Duff and Richard Dunne.
That’s 201 caps that would usually have been there.
That’s a lot of memories for the Irish supporters.
Keith Andrews was also suspended meaning James McCarthy was starting his first competitive game.
Our defense had 2 players from the Championship, 1 from the MLS and a reserve goalkeeper.
Add to this an astro pitch, a 6,000 km journey and the fact it was the start of the season, meant a 2-1 victory, no matter how we got it, was actually a terrific result.
A bad performance alright.
But a much better result.
A much better result than the 5-2 drubbing received at the hands of Cyprus.
A result which should live long in the memory.
A result which occurred under the reign of the last manager before Giovanni.
The sort of manager we could expect to attract had the FAI decided to rid our nation of this trophy laden Italian.
It’s one thing ridding us of Giovanni after a few bad results.
It’s another finding a manager to replace him.
With us being in somewhat of a decline, it will be tough to attract a manager as successful as Giovanni again.
Losing players such as Damien and Shay coupled with father time catching up on John, Robbie and Richard means this position is hardly the most attractive of propositions.
Not for a manager as successful as Giovanni anyway.
More like a Brian Kerr, Steve Staunton or caretaker Don Givens.
All of who failed to even make a play-off.
Not once.
In 6 long years.
Giovanni of course got us to within extra time of the World Cup in 2010.
Giovanni of course got us to the European Championships in 2012.
The man that could have been out of a job had Robbie and Kevin not intervened late on in a disappointing performance.
Not a memorable performance.
But a memorable result.
As memory in football is very short alright.
Just short of being a disaster this time...
A boost was needed to erase the memories of the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.
A resounding victory over the lowly ranked Kazakhstan and we could all start to move on from those 3 heavy defeats from the summer.
A resounding victory and we may all start to believe again.
Not only believe in Brazil.
But believe in Giovanni once more.
Cut to the 89th minute in Astana on Friday night and calls for Giovanni’s head could be heard all the way back to Ireland.
What transpired over the next 2 minutes had a big effect on our qualification hopes.
But no doubt, it also had major consequences on the next 2 years of Irish football.
Lost, and we may already have had to give up the chase for qualification.
Worse still - lost, and we may have had to find a new manager.
The pressure Giovanni would have brought upon himself following a 1-0 defeat to Kazakhstan, coupled with the memory of the summer, may have proved too much even for the greatest of Italian managers to survive.
So although appreciative Robbie and Kevin’s double got us 3 points, it’s the ramifications they’ve had on Giovanni that we should be most thankful for.
You see, memory in football these days is shorter than it’s ever been.
Calls for Giovanni’s head, despite 3 points in Astana, is no greater proof of this.
Irish supporters seem to forget, that although the performance in both the Euros and on the astro pitch on Friday night were poor - they were a far cry from where we were before Giovanni’s appointment.
Being placed in a tough group containing the 2 finalists in Euro 2012 has been discussed before.
With our squad of players it was very difficult to see us with Giovanni, or any other manager for that matter, getting out of the group.
As for Kazakhstan, the supporters need to realise this was something of a new beginning.
Missing through retirement or suspension was Shay Given, Damien Duff and Richard Dunne.
That’s 201 caps that would usually have been there.
That’s a lot of memories for the Irish supporters.
Keith Andrews was also suspended meaning James McCarthy was starting his first competitive game.
Our defense had 2 players from the Championship, 1 from the MLS and a reserve goalkeeper.
Add to this an astro pitch, a 6,000 km journey and the fact it was the start of the season, meant a 2-1 victory, no matter how we got it, was actually a terrific result.
A bad performance alright.
But a much better result.
A much better result than the 5-2 drubbing received at the hands of Cyprus.
A result which should live long in the memory.
A result which occurred under the reign of the last manager before Giovanni.
The sort of manager we could expect to attract had the FAI decided to rid our nation of this trophy laden Italian.
It’s one thing ridding us of Giovanni after a few bad results.
It’s another finding a manager to replace him.
With us being in somewhat of a decline, it will be tough to attract a manager as successful as Giovanni again.
Losing players such as Damien and Shay coupled with father time catching up on John, Robbie and Richard means this position is hardly the most attractive of propositions.
Not for a manager as successful as Giovanni anyway.
More like a Brian Kerr, Steve Staunton or caretaker Don Givens.
All of who failed to even make a play-off.
Not once.
In 6 long years.
Giovanni of course got us to within extra time of the World Cup in 2010.
Giovanni of course got us to the European Championships in 2012.
The man that could have been out of a job had Robbie and Kevin not intervened late on in a disappointing performance.
Not a memorable performance.
But a memorable result.
As memory in football is very short alright.
Just short of being a disaster this time...
Monday, 9 July 2012
Ireland’s Performances Are Not the Peak of the Problem
Ireland’s performance at the European Championships in Poland was a harsh reality.
But a review of the players decline in the squad brings forth a reality even harsher.
Talk of retirements usually surface after era ending markers such as this.
The big 5 getting a constant mention at the moment.
Shay Given in goal had an extremely poor tournament by his own highest of standards.
Always considered one of the top keepers in the English Premier League, if never the top, his decline in form has coincided with father time and his inability to recover sufficiently from ever increasing injuries.
The first signs came when Shay finally landed himself at a big club only to find after 1 season, he was demoted to the reserves to allow the returning Joe Hart claim first choice.
His decline cemented when he sealed his transfer to Aston Villa a year later.
While Manchester City were being crowned champions of England last month - Shay had to look back on a season that saw his new team finish 16th.
The same team of course, in which Richard Dunne played.
Similar to Shay, when Man City started getting big, they realised they could afford to bring in whoever they wanted.
Despite 4 player of the season awards at the Ethiad in a row, it wasn’t long before Richard was replaced with players the calibre of Vincent Kompany and Kolo Toure.
Much like Ireland in Poland - he never stood a chance.
Damian Duff was once a diamond in Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea dynasty.
Valued as high as €17 at one stage - it wasn’t long before he took a step down too.
The dizzying heights of Champions League football and Premier League titles were replaced with relegation involving Newcastle and his current spell at the never threatening Fulham.
John O’Shea spent 12 seasons at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
11 major honours in total - including the Champions League.
Only 3 Irish players have ever won more.
Yet last summer it was pastures new for John and the not so dizzying heights of the Stadium of Light.
And of course, our Captain and talisman, Robbie Keane.
After finding his home at White Hart Lane, one last big money move looked on the cards when Liverpool came calling.
But after only 4 months at Anfield, it was back to Tottenham and soon a drop further to West Ham on loan in double quick time.
For the amount of goals Robbie has got in the Premier League over the years, it’s tough to think our greatest goal threat is spending his early 30’s in the less than impressive Major League.
Outside the senior 5 there are plenty of examples of decline in the Irish squad too.
With the exception of Aiden McGeady, most of the squad are in worse shape than they were when Giovanni took over.
Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt and Stephen Ward will all begin next season in the Championship with Wolves.
Kevin had been linked with Arsenal not so long ago.
Sean St. Ledger has gone from promising young defender on the cusp of the Premier League to a Championship regular.
Keith Andrews has had a lot of ups and downs in the past 3 seasons culminating in him currently being without a club.
And the reserves don’t fare off much better either.
Kieron Westwood has gone from being in the Championship team of the year 2 seasons in a row to warming the bench of Sunderland.
Paul McShane has dropped out of the top flight.
Darren O’Dea and Paul Green are both unattached.
And Darron Gibson followed John out the Old Trafford door.
It could be argued that Shane Long, Glen Whelan and Jon Walters have improved.
But in truth, their talents have - their club status has remained the same.
That just leaves us with the young James McClean, who could do nothing but rise if he was to make the squad.
And it is with this youth that the next campaign may lye.
So many of this squads are no longer heading skyward - with this summers Championships seen as one of their peaks.
2 years from now when Brazil comes around, it’s hard to see many of the squad being in a better position.
But perhaps it is this reason alone that Giovanni should look for new blood.
The next generation are already looking better off than they were when Giovanni took over.
James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Ciaran Clark to name a few.
Indeed Brazil in 2014 might be a peak for some of these players.
Let’s just hope it’s not their highest peak...
But a review of the players decline in the squad brings forth a reality even harsher.
Talk of retirements usually surface after era ending markers such as this.
The big 5 getting a constant mention at the moment.
Shay Given in goal had an extremely poor tournament by his own highest of standards.
Always considered one of the top keepers in the English Premier League, if never the top, his decline in form has coincided with father time and his inability to recover sufficiently from ever increasing injuries.
The first signs came when Shay finally landed himself at a big club only to find after 1 season, he was demoted to the reserves to allow the returning Joe Hart claim first choice.
His decline cemented when he sealed his transfer to Aston Villa a year later.
While Manchester City were being crowned champions of England last month - Shay had to look back on a season that saw his new team finish 16th.
The same team of course, in which Richard Dunne played.
Similar to Shay, when Man City started getting big, they realised they could afford to bring in whoever they wanted.
Despite 4 player of the season awards at the Ethiad in a row, it wasn’t long before Richard was replaced with players the calibre of Vincent Kompany and Kolo Toure.
Much like Ireland in Poland - he never stood a chance.
Damian Duff was once a diamond in Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea dynasty.
Valued as high as €17 at one stage - it wasn’t long before he took a step down too.
The dizzying heights of Champions League football and Premier League titles were replaced with relegation involving Newcastle and his current spell at the never threatening Fulham.
John O’Shea spent 12 seasons at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
11 major honours in total - including the Champions League.
Only 3 Irish players have ever won more.
Yet last summer it was pastures new for John and the not so dizzying heights of the Stadium of Light.
And of course, our Captain and talisman, Robbie Keane.
After finding his home at White Hart Lane, one last big money move looked on the cards when Liverpool came calling.
But after only 4 months at Anfield, it was back to Tottenham and soon a drop further to West Ham on loan in double quick time.
For the amount of goals Robbie has got in the Premier League over the years, it’s tough to think our greatest goal threat is spending his early 30’s in the less than impressive Major League.
Outside the senior 5 there are plenty of examples of decline in the Irish squad too.
With the exception of Aiden McGeady, most of the squad are in worse shape than they were when Giovanni took over.
Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt and Stephen Ward will all begin next season in the Championship with Wolves.
Kevin had been linked with Arsenal not so long ago.
Sean St. Ledger has gone from promising young defender on the cusp of the Premier League to a Championship regular.
Keith Andrews has had a lot of ups and downs in the past 3 seasons culminating in him currently being without a club.
And the reserves don’t fare off much better either.
Kieron Westwood has gone from being in the Championship team of the year 2 seasons in a row to warming the bench of Sunderland.
Paul McShane has dropped out of the top flight.
Darren O’Dea and Paul Green are both unattached.
And Darron Gibson followed John out the Old Trafford door.
It could be argued that Shane Long, Glen Whelan and Jon Walters have improved.
But in truth, their talents have - their club status has remained the same.
That just leaves us with the young James McClean, who could do nothing but rise if he was to make the squad.
And it is with this youth that the next campaign may lye.
So many of this squads are no longer heading skyward - with this summers Championships seen as one of their peaks.
2 years from now when Brazil comes around, it’s hard to see many of the squad being in a better position.
But perhaps it is this reason alone that Giovanni should look for new blood.
The next generation are already looking better off than they were when Giovanni took over.
James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Ciaran Clark to name a few.
Indeed Brazil in 2014 might be a peak for some of these players.
Let’s just hope it’s not their highest peak...
Friday, 22 June 2012
Best Fans in the World Maybe, But Not the Best Supporters
I took a considered moment out for myself as the fields of Athenry billowed around Arena Gdansk.
After due deliberation, I too, joined in for a chorus of one of Ireland’s most renowned football anthems.
I was gutted that we had just been thumped so convincingly.
But I felt the Irish players deserved something back for all the effort they’d put in over the previous 2 seasons.
If they had of performed as inadequately as they had against the Croats - it would have been a different story.
When outclassed by superior opponents yet willing to give their all, I decided to support them.
I was there as a supporter after all.
And they needed me.
Support can change a game.
Fortress Anfield became synonymous with their successful football club due to the vociferous crowd.
Roy Keane himself spoke of the respect he had for the Liverpool atmosphere.
How intelligent they were about football, respectfully applauding when the opposition had done something worthy of ardent praise.
However, this week was also the week in which Roy questioned the expectations of the Irish support.
In an opinion subjected mainly towards the players of the Irish squad, it was the supporters who took offence.
Or at this point, I’ll switch the expression to ‘fans’.
The supporters knew what he meant.
They know enough about football and enough about what they’d seen unfold in front of them in Poland to interpret Roy correctly.
Roy was right.
Ireland weren’t good enough.
And the supporters should demand more.
In fact, they deserved more.
Roy has no problem with fans and supporters singing throughout the build-up and throughout the match itself.
He’d already gone on record as saying how great the Irish support is.
He even went as far as clarifying his comments in his column the following Sunday to avoid confusion.
Yet come kick off in the next game, the ‘fans’ of Ireland had already created a song all for the great man himself.
“F**k you Roy Keane, we’ll sing when we want”
Roy had won his potential debate with the Irish fans, without a need for retort.
4 nil down and heading for our heaviest competitive defeat in over 50 years.
“We’ll sing when we want”
Heading out of the European Championships after only 4 days?
“We’ll sing when we want”
Losing to Italy on the way to equalling the worst ever record at a European Championship?
Well, you get the picture.
If that’s all that’s needed to get the fans singing - there clearly is no requisite for expectation.
Not from the fans anyway.
The supporters, well that’s a different matter.
For them, this hurt.
And hurt badly.
10 years is a long time not to feature at a major tournament.
To come and see our dreams turn quickly to nightmares was not a singing affair.
The supporters were too crestfallen to keep the songs going.
And they were too knowing about football to join in with the “F**k yous” directed at the greatest player ever to don the green jersey.
Roy had done too much for Ireland to warrant abuse like this.
Let alone warrant abuse for a justified attack on our underachieving players.
Yet it was the fans who took exception to these home truths.
These same fans who had the audacity to hurl abuse at their captain and record goalscorer when deployed in the thankless task of chasing down the possession obsessed Spanish defence - outnumbered 5 to 1.
If they got frustrated at a player not giving 100%, behaving selfishly, even arrogantly - they could be forgiven.
But when their team is quite simply outclassed by potentially one of the most successful sides ever seen, support was the answer.
Not jeers.
Or cheers.
But encouragement to push them on.
Give them the support to chase down one more lost cause.
Force one more corner.
Score one more goal.
But no, the same fans who had just jeered Aiden McGeady to stay off the pitch after his momentum had taken him over the touchline, had turned their backs to the action to ‘do the Poznan’ by the time he had returned to play.
The Poznan, reserved only for goals by Manchester City supporters, was been exercised whilst 1 down to the Italians.
What was Mario Balotelli figuring as he watched on from the bench?
Had his beloved Italian support all wore green that day or did this Irish crowd just not ‘get’ his club’s goal celebration?
Manchester United supporters didn’t do the Poznan when 1 nil down at the Etihad.
They expected more from their team.
As did Roy.
The Irish fans had different ideas though.
They were there to party.
The atmosphere they created was unbelievable.
Build-up to every game commenced hours before any ball was kicked.
And it was world class to experience.
Unless you were a supporter.
It just made it all the more difficult knowing the only time the Aviva had sold out since it opened was against Estonia.
Not when the team needed support.
They were already 4 nil up.
No, the return leg was going to be a party.
Armenia at home was when support was needed.
But the fans weren’t there.
Slovakia didn’t sell out either.
Not even Russia could.
When the team really needed support.
It was when 4 nil up against Estonia.
When the fans could party.
And they did.
Unsure as to whether they were so jubilant for the group of players who had finally qualified after so many years of heartbreak.
Or because they’d secured the biggest two week party of the year for themselves.
The fans will remember the European Championship for the sing songs, the beers and the ‘craic’ that occurred on every night.
And who can blame them?
The supporters however, will all meet up in a few months at the Kazakhstan game.
In hope.
Eternal optimism for Ireland’s next campaign.
Their dreams may having turned to nightmares.
But in Kazakhstan, at least they’ll be able to support each other...
After due deliberation, I too, joined in for a chorus of one of Ireland’s most renowned football anthems.
I was gutted that we had just been thumped so convincingly.
But I felt the Irish players deserved something back for all the effort they’d put in over the previous 2 seasons.
If they had of performed as inadequately as they had against the Croats - it would have been a different story.
When outclassed by superior opponents yet willing to give their all, I decided to support them.
I was there as a supporter after all.
And they needed me.
Support can change a game.
Fortress Anfield became synonymous with their successful football club due to the vociferous crowd.
Roy Keane himself spoke of the respect he had for the Liverpool atmosphere.
How intelligent they were about football, respectfully applauding when the opposition had done something worthy of ardent praise.
However, this week was also the week in which Roy questioned the expectations of the Irish support.
In an opinion subjected mainly towards the players of the Irish squad, it was the supporters who took offence.
Or at this point, I’ll switch the expression to ‘fans’.
The supporters knew what he meant.
They know enough about football and enough about what they’d seen unfold in front of them in Poland to interpret Roy correctly.
Roy was right.
Ireland weren’t good enough.
And the supporters should demand more.
In fact, they deserved more.
Roy has no problem with fans and supporters singing throughout the build-up and throughout the match itself.
He’d already gone on record as saying how great the Irish support is.
He even went as far as clarifying his comments in his column the following Sunday to avoid confusion.
Yet come kick off in the next game, the ‘fans’ of Ireland had already created a song all for the great man himself.
“F**k you Roy Keane, we’ll sing when we want”
Roy had won his potential debate with the Irish fans, without a need for retort.
4 nil down and heading for our heaviest competitive defeat in over 50 years.
“We’ll sing when we want”
Heading out of the European Championships after only 4 days?
“We’ll sing when we want”
Losing to Italy on the way to equalling the worst ever record at a European Championship?
Well, you get the picture.
If that’s all that’s needed to get the fans singing - there clearly is no requisite for expectation.
Not from the fans anyway.
The supporters, well that’s a different matter.
For them, this hurt.
And hurt badly.
10 years is a long time not to feature at a major tournament.
To come and see our dreams turn quickly to nightmares was not a singing affair.
The supporters were too crestfallen to keep the songs going.
And they were too knowing about football to join in with the “F**k yous” directed at the greatest player ever to don the green jersey.
Roy had done too much for Ireland to warrant abuse like this.
Let alone warrant abuse for a justified attack on our underachieving players.
Yet it was the fans who took exception to these home truths.
These same fans who had the audacity to hurl abuse at their captain and record goalscorer when deployed in the thankless task of chasing down the possession obsessed Spanish defence - outnumbered 5 to 1.
If they got frustrated at a player not giving 100%, behaving selfishly, even arrogantly - they could be forgiven.
But when their team is quite simply outclassed by potentially one of the most successful sides ever seen, support was the answer.
Not jeers.
Or cheers.
But encouragement to push them on.
Give them the support to chase down one more lost cause.
Force one more corner.
Score one more goal.
But no, the same fans who had just jeered Aiden McGeady to stay off the pitch after his momentum had taken him over the touchline, had turned their backs to the action to ‘do the Poznan’ by the time he had returned to play.
The Poznan, reserved only for goals by Manchester City supporters, was been exercised whilst 1 down to the Italians.
What was Mario Balotelli figuring as he watched on from the bench?
Had his beloved Italian support all wore green that day or did this Irish crowd just not ‘get’ his club’s goal celebration?
Manchester United supporters didn’t do the Poznan when 1 nil down at the Etihad.
They expected more from their team.
As did Roy.
The Irish fans had different ideas though.
They were there to party.
The atmosphere they created was unbelievable.
Build-up to every game commenced hours before any ball was kicked.
And it was world class to experience.
Unless you were a supporter.
It just made it all the more difficult knowing the only time the Aviva had sold out since it opened was against Estonia.
Not when the team needed support.
They were already 4 nil up.
No, the return leg was going to be a party.
Armenia at home was when support was needed.
But the fans weren’t there.
Slovakia didn’t sell out either.
Not even Russia could.
When the team really needed support.
It was when 4 nil up against Estonia.
When the fans could party.
And they did.
Unsure as to whether they were so jubilant for the group of players who had finally qualified after so many years of heartbreak.
Or because they’d secured the biggest two week party of the year for themselves.
The fans will remember the European Championship for the sing songs, the beers and the ‘craic’ that occurred on every night.
And who can blame them?
The supporters however, will all meet up in a few months at the Kazakhstan game.
In hope.
Eternal optimism for Ireland’s next campaign.
Their dreams may having turned to nightmares.
But in Kazakhstan, at least they’ll be able to support each other...
Monday, 23 January 2012
The Villans have a new Hero
Robbie Keane returned to the Premier League with great impact this weekend.
Two goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers showing he has lost none of his quality since making the move to Major League Soccer last summer.
In only his first start for his new club, Robbie managed to score both the equaliser and the subsequent winner, with two strikes of the highest order from outside the box.
In a team struggling since Alex McLeish took over, Robbie might just well be the difference between an Aston Villa relegation battle and an Aston Villa push for Europe.
For a team that have found goals hard to come by this season, the signing of Robbie couldn’t have come at a better time.
Lose to Wolves on Saturday and they remain in the bottom six, dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Win at Molineux and suddenly the Villans lie just outside the top half on goal difference.
A shrewd piece of business by Alex to supplement his strikeforce of Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey with the type of quality vision that Robbie possesses.
The only thing that surprised me about the transfer was that one of the bigger teams didn’t come in for him.
A team like Liverpool, Newcastle or higher, might have been a better move for the Republic of Ireland captain.
With Luis Suarez suspended for 8 games, Robbie could potentially have been an astute short term solution for Kenny Dalglish.
While not having a very successful period under Rafa Benitez, his time spent there would have made it all the easier to settle in fast, knowing he would only have two months to make an impact.
With their season starting to derail over the last six games or so, Robbie might have been the man to reignite their push for a Champions League place by filling the void left by Luis.
Newcastle of course have just lost their seasons star man - Demba Ba.
15 goals in the league already, he will be sorely missed for the next month.
The addition of Robbie to fill this void for the next few games would surely have helped Alan Pardew retain their push for that last lucrative Champions League spot.
With just his wages to consider, a loan deal for either of these clubs would represent good value for money.
Robbie, of course, is not the only senior player making a return to the Premier League during this transfer window.
Arsenal have taken a chance on bringing back Thierry Henry in a bid to help his team secure fourth place.
Everton as well, have taken back Landon Donovan, having previously enjoyed a loan spell on Merseyside.
Two goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers showing he has lost none of his quality since making the move to Major League Soccer last summer.
In only his first start for his new club, Robbie managed to score both the equaliser and the subsequent winner, with two strikes of the highest order from outside the box.
In a team struggling since Alex McLeish took over, Robbie might just well be the difference between an Aston Villa relegation battle and an Aston Villa push for Europe.
For a team that have found goals hard to come by this season, the signing of Robbie couldn’t have come at a better time.
Lose to Wolves on Saturday and they remain in the bottom six, dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Win at Molineux and suddenly the Villans lie just outside the top half on goal difference.
A shrewd piece of business by Alex to supplement his strikeforce of Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey with the type of quality vision that Robbie possesses.
The only thing that surprised me about the transfer was that one of the bigger teams didn’t come in for him.
A team like Liverpool, Newcastle or higher, might have been a better move for the Republic of Ireland captain.
With Luis Suarez suspended for 8 games, Robbie could potentially have been an astute short term solution for Kenny Dalglish.
While not having a very successful period under Rafa Benitez, his time spent there would have made it all the easier to settle in fast, knowing he would only have two months to make an impact.
With their season starting to derail over the last six games or so, Robbie might have been the man to reignite their push for a Champions League place by filling the void left by Luis.
Newcastle of course have just lost their seasons star man - Demba Ba.
15 goals in the league already, he will be sorely missed for the next month.
The addition of Robbie to fill this void for the next few games would surely have helped Alan Pardew retain their push for that last lucrative Champions League spot.
With just his wages to consider, a loan deal for either of these clubs would represent good value for money.
Robbie, of course, is not the only senior player making a return to the Premier League during this transfer window.
Arsenal have taken a chance on bringing back Thierry Henry in a bid to help his team secure fourth place.
Everton as well, have taken back Landon Donovan, having previously enjoyed a loan spell on Merseyside.
Manchester United have resigned Paul Scholes, having just retired last summer.
While some seem riskier than others, particularly with Thierry and Paul’s age, Robbie looks the best business of all.
Sir Alex Ferguson has opted to treat the problem of Paul’s absence from the game as the equivalent to him having an injury over the last few months.
Arsene Wenger does not seem too worried about Thierry’s game not having that devastating pace anymore, instead hoping his presence in the dressing room can have the desired effect.
Whereas Robbie has no such concerns at the age of 31.
He has been playing regularly since he departed England at the end of last season.
Not to mention captaining the Republic of Ireland to qualification for the European Championships.
Bringing in experienced campaigners during the January transfer window has proved quite popular in the Premier League.
In particular this season.
Each manager hoping these players will give their side a timely boost going into the business end of the season.
While Thierry, Landon and Paul all returned to clubs for second spells, it was the fact that Robbie didn’t return to one of his that proved the most surprising.
What may prove to be Liverpool’s loss, or indeed any of the sides fighting for European places - is most definitely Alex’s gain.
The Villans have gotten themselves a new hero, if only for a short time.
But as Robbie has shown already - he only needs a few games to make all the difference...
While some seem riskier than others, particularly with Thierry and Paul’s age, Robbie looks the best business of all.
Sir Alex Ferguson has opted to treat the problem of Paul’s absence from the game as the equivalent to him having an injury over the last few months.
Arsene Wenger does not seem too worried about Thierry’s game not having that devastating pace anymore, instead hoping his presence in the dressing room can have the desired effect.
Whereas Robbie has no such concerns at the age of 31.
He has been playing regularly since he departed England at the end of last season.
Not to mention captaining the Republic of Ireland to qualification for the European Championships.
Bringing in experienced campaigners during the January transfer window has proved quite popular in the Premier League.
In particular this season.
Each manager hoping these players will give their side a timely boost going into the business end of the season.
While Thierry, Landon and Paul all returned to clubs for second spells, it was the fact that Robbie didn’t return to one of his that proved the most surprising.
What may prove to be Liverpool’s loss, or indeed any of the sides fighting for European places - is most definitely Alex’s gain.
The Villans have gotten themselves a new hero, if only for a short time.
But as Robbie has shown already - he only needs a few games to make all the difference...
Monday, 14 November 2011
Do us all a favour Robbie - Retire from international football, effective immediately.
Thanks for everything Robbie.
You’ve done your best.
You really have.
But being honest - it just wasn’t quite good enough.
Now don’t you think it’s time you did us Irish a favour and retired from international football?
Preferably before the European Championships.
Preferably before Tuesday’s return leg against Estonia.
Let’s just say your performance in the first leg was the final straw.
Quite simply, you were muck.
I know you got 2 goals in an important match.
Again.
But 1 was a peno in fairness...
I know you set up Jon Walters with a brilliant cross.
As well as playing Stephen Hunt through to win the peno.
And you were also the player who drew the 2 fouls which saw 2 Estonians sent off.
But to be honest Robbie, I’m looking for more from an Irish striker these days than 2 goals, 1 and a half assists and getting 2 players sent off through your quickness of thought and speed of movement.
I want to see more to strikers in general than just goals and assists actually.
People will argue that you have 53 international goals.
More than Shearer, Owen, Lineker, Keegan or Charlton.
More than Rush, Hughes, Dalglish, Law or Best.
In fact, more than any British player.
Ever.
Even though most of them were playing for far superior teams than you at the time.
But I always just felt your goals came against lesser nations.
And while Ireland never had a player good enough to score against the lesser nations until you came along, it’s the big games that count.
Like a Play-Off for a major tournament.
People will say you played in 4 Play-Offs and scored in 4 Play-Offs.
But I see the fact that you only scored 5 goals from those 6 games as being the reason we didn’t qualify from more of them.
I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself that you scored 3 goals (plus 1 more in the shoot-out) in the World Cup in 2002 and they were big games.
But one of those was against Saudi Arabia.
I don’t even know where that is Robbie.
I’ll give you the goals against Germany and Spain.
You deserve some credit.
But that still doesn’t change the fact that you are only really capable of scoring at home.
Away games against Holland, Italy and France excluded of course.
Or that cracker you got against Holland when we won 1-0.
Cause that was only a friendly.
But now it’s time for change.
Kevin Doyle is a much better player anyway.
He is 28 now and although Mick McCarthy is the only manager to spend proper money on him, it was €7.5m well spent.
Unlike yourself, who has had Gordon Strachan, Marcello Lippi, Dave O’Leary, Glenn Hoddle, Rafa Benitez and Harry Redknapp spend over €90m on you.
Kevin could get a move to someone like Internazionale, it’s just Wolves won’t sell him, that’s all.
Then there’s Shane Long as well.
23 goals in the Championship and West Bromwich Albion immediately threw €5.2m at Reading for him.
Yes Robbie, West Bromwich Albion.
And now we also have Leon Best.
He’s scored in 2 separate games in the Premier League this season.
He must start.
Along with Jon Walters.
He is also 28 and despite the fact that when you were 28 you had 33 internationals to your name, this guy has scored 3 goals in the Premier League this season.
You’ve done your best.
You really have.
But being honest - it just wasn’t quite good enough.
Now don’t you think it’s time you did us Irish a favour and retired from international football?
Preferably before the European Championships.
Preferably before Tuesday’s return leg against Estonia.
Let’s just say your performance in the first leg was the final straw.
Quite simply, you were muck.
I know you got 2 goals in an important match.
Again.
But 1 was a peno in fairness...
I know you set up Jon Walters with a brilliant cross.
As well as playing Stephen Hunt through to win the peno.
And you were also the player who drew the 2 fouls which saw 2 Estonians sent off.
But to be honest Robbie, I’m looking for more from an Irish striker these days than 2 goals, 1 and a half assists and getting 2 players sent off through your quickness of thought and speed of movement.
I want to see more to strikers in general than just goals and assists actually.
People will argue that you have 53 international goals.
More than Shearer, Owen, Lineker, Keegan or Charlton.
More than Rush, Hughes, Dalglish, Law or Best.
In fact, more than any British player.
Ever.
Even though most of them were playing for far superior teams than you at the time.
But I always just felt your goals came against lesser nations.
And while Ireland never had a player good enough to score against the lesser nations until you came along, it’s the big games that count.
Like a Play-Off for a major tournament.
People will say you played in 4 Play-Offs and scored in 4 Play-Offs.
But I see the fact that you only scored 5 goals from those 6 games as being the reason we didn’t qualify from more of them.
I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself that you scored 3 goals (plus 1 more in the shoot-out) in the World Cup in 2002 and they were big games.
But one of those was against Saudi Arabia.
I don’t even know where that is Robbie.
I’ll give you the goals against Germany and Spain.
You deserve some credit.
But that still doesn’t change the fact that you are only really capable of scoring at home.
Away games against Holland, Italy and France excluded of course.
Or that cracker you got against Holland when we won 1-0.
Cause that was only a friendly.
But now it’s time for change.
Kevin Doyle is a much better player anyway.
He is 28 now and although Mick McCarthy is the only manager to spend proper money on him, it was €7.5m well spent.
Unlike yourself, who has had Gordon Strachan, Marcello Lippi, Dave O’Leary, Glenn Hoddle, Rafa Benitez and Harry Redknapp spend over €90m on you.
Kevin could get a move to someone like Internazionale, it’s just Wolves won’t sell him, that’s all.
Then there’s Shane Long as well.
23 goals in the Championship and West Bromwich Albion immediately threw €5.2m at Reading for him.
Yes Robbie, West Bromwich Albion.
And now we also have Leon Best.
He’s scored in 2 separate games in the Premier League this season.
He must start.
Along with Jon Walters.
He is also 28 and despite the fact that when you were 28 you had 33 internationals to your name, this guy has scored 3 goals in the Premier League this season.
3 goals Robbie.
He has to start ahead of you.
So, I appreciate your commitment and loyalty to the Irish side over the past 14 seasons but really, we’re not looking for someone who will turn up for every game and give 100% commitment no matter what.
You have given more to this country on the football pitch than anyone could ever ask of a player and have never once complained - but it’s time to move on now Robbie.
So all the Irish supporters who aren’t ‘fans’ of yours can experience what it’s going to be like when we’re well and truly fucked without you...
So, I appreciate your commitment and loyalty to the Irish side over the past 14 seasons but really, we’re not looking for someone who will turn up for every game and give 100% commitment no matter what.
You have given more to this country on the football pitch than anyone could ever ask of a player and have never once complained - but it’s time to move on now Robbie.
So all the Irish supporters who aren’t ‘fans’ of yours can experience what it’s going to be like when we’re well and truly fucked without you...
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
All I ask is that no fans go to the Armenian game tonight. Just supporters.
And believe me, there is a difference.
I’m sick of Irish fans going to Ireland games.
I really am.
I looked on at the Montenegrin celebrations the other night against England and couldn’t help but feel envious.
They were dead and buried at one stage.
2-0 down.
But their support was immense.
And these supporters were rewarded when they got to storm the pitch at the full time whistle.
Back to 2-2 and into the play-offs they go.
I would love to see scenes like this tonight at the Aviva.
But too many fans will be there from Ireland.
Ready to criticise, boo and create this feeling of unrest synonymous to the Aviva these days.
How many of them will storm the pitch if we draw 0-0 and secure a play-off place?
Not many I’d say.
Instead I sit beside fans who criticise Robbie every time he touches the ball.
Except when he scores of course.
Something he’s done quite a lot.
51 times for this small nation yet still he has critics amongst the stands.
I sit in front of fans who boo the team off at the end of a 0-0 draw with Slovakia.
A team seeded higher than us.
A team that played better than us.
They knock Italy out while reaching the last 16 of the World Cup in 2010 yet our fans boo our team off for nicking a point.
I sit behind fans who demand we beat countries like Armenia.
“I don’t even know where that is” a typical response.
Most of them demand we beat a team that isn’t laden with Premier League stars.
Most of them demand our team made up of Stoke, Wolves and Fulham players dismantle a team like Armenia by "a good few goals".
They should talk to their Slovakian counterparts.
Thankfully though, in between all of these fans, you’ll find supporters.
Lots of them.
Real ones.
We understand how difficult it will be to secure a play-off place tonight against a team that just hammered Slovakia 4-0 away.
We understand that we can influence the referee.
The Armenian players.
But most importantly we understand we can influence the team we support.
We can inspire them to just one more run.
One more chance.
One more goal.
We understand we can inspire them to one more result.
So let’s support our team tonight.
No matter what happens.
Because they need us.
And we need a result.
Just one more...
I’m sick of Irish fans going to Ireland games.
I really am.
I looked on at the Montenegrin celebrations the other night against England and couldn’t help but feel envious.
They were dead and buried at one stage.
2-0 down.
But their support was immense.
And these supporters were rewarded when they got to storm the pitch at the full time whistle.
Back to 2-2 and into the play-offs they go.
I would love to see scenes like this tonight at the Aviva.
But too many fans will be there from Ireland.
Ready to criticise, boo and create this feeling of unrest synonymous to the Aviva these days.
How many of them will storm the pitch if we draw 0-0 and secure a play-off place?
Not many I’d say.
Instead I sit beside fans who criticise Robbie every time he touches the ball.
Except when he scores of course.
Something he’s done quite a lot.
51 times for this small nation yet still he has critics amongst the stands.
I sit in front of fans who boo the team off at the end of a 0-0 draw with Slovakia.
A team seeded higher than us.
A team that played better than us.
They knock Italy out while reaching the last 16 of the World Cup in 2010 yet our fans boo our team off for nicking a point.
I sit behind fans who demand we beat countries like Armenia.
“I don’t even know where that is” a typical response.
Most of them demand we beat a team that isn’t laden with Premier League stars.
Most of them demand our team made up of Stoke, Wolves and Fulham players dismantle a team like Armenia by "a good few goals".
They should talk to their Slovakian counterparts.
Thankfully though, in between all of these fans, you’ll find supporters.
Lots of them.
Real ones.
We understand how difficult it will be to secure a play-off place tonight against a team that just hammered Slovakia 4-0 away.
We understand that we can influence the referee.
The Armenian players.
But most importantly we understand we can influence the team we support.
We can inspire them to just one more run.
One more chance.
One more goal.
We understand we can inspire them to one more result.
So let’s support our team tonight.
No matter what happens.
Because they need us.
And we need a result.
Just one more...
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