Post by Taxigirl on Feb 17, 2006 9:50:08 GMT
www.sportinglife.com/football
Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has vowed to be "flexible" as he seeks an advantage in the unyielding world of international management.
Staunton is aware he has to employ something different if Ireland are to qualify for the next European Championships in 2008.
Staunton may have six months to prepare, but that is likely to include just four friendly matches if plans for a double-header in May bear fruit.
The first of those is against Sweden at Lansdowne Road on March 1, a game that will truly herald the dawning of the Staunton era.
The 37-year-old yesterday named his first squad for that game, a 23-strong group that includes six uncapped players, notably Manchester City's Stephen Ireland and Joey O'Brien at Bolton.
The duo appear destined to play a big part in Ireland's future as Staunton looks to implement new ideas.
"We just want to show them one or two things and get it into their heads to be a little more flexible - it's not rocket science," said Staunton.
"If we feel we can gain an advantage by doing something in a game, we will do it. I don't want excuses.
"Players are very quick to use everything as an excuse - as I know myself - like formation, players, anything. So we'll be as flexible as possible."
The reason behind that is because the Republic have not won away from home against a major nation in a qualifying group for 19 years.
"That is something we have to address," added Staunton.
"We know what we can do with a 4-4-2 system, so maybe we have to tinker going away from home.
"Looking at our group I think the teams we will be up against play 4-4-2, so if we can gain an advantage by changing it away from home then we will use it."
Staunton concedes his squad has limitations though, and it lacks a big target man in the mould of previous heroes such as Tony Cascarino and Niall Quinn.
"We are restricted up front," added Staunton.
"It's not as if we can go out and buy someone, so we have to get on with what we have got.
"What we do have is a lot of pace and energy from midfield to attack so we have to utilise that and make it work to our advantage.
"We don't have the big man as an option. But who is to say somebody won't come out of the woodwork that is six feet two or three to give you that different option?
"As a manager it's great to change from one style to another, especially if things aren't going right.
"As we have found over the years, it's a great advantage. But we don't have that at the moment so we will have to use our own strengths."
Notable absentees through injury include wingers Andy Reid and Aiden McGeady of Tottenham and Celtic respectively, along with Ipswich striker Alan Lee, while Norwich defender Gary Doherty has been overlooked on this occasion.
Republic squad:
Given (Newcastle), Kenny (Sheffield United), Henderson (Brighton), Breen (Sunderland), Harte (Levante), Finnan (Liverpool), A O'Brien (Portsmouth), Dunne (Manchester City), Miller (Leeds), Kilbane (Everton), Reid (Blackburn), Duff (Chelsea), Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Crystal Palace), Kavanagh (Wigan), Doyle (Reading), Ireland (Manchester City), Elliott (Sunderland), Lawrence (Sunderland), J O'Brien (Bolton), Kelly (Tottenham), O'Shea (Manchester United), Douglas (Leeds).
Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has vowed to be "flexible" as he seeks an advantage in the unyielding world of international management.
Staunton is aware he has to employ something different if Ireland are to qualify for the next European Championships in 2008.
Staunton may have six months to prepare, but that is likely to include just four friendly matches if plans for a double-header in May bear fruit.
The first of those is against Sweden at Lansdowne Road on March 1, a game that will truly herald the dawning of the Staunton era.
The 37-year-old yesterday named his first squad for that game, a 23-strong group that includes six uncapped players, notably Manchester City's Stephen Ireland and Joey O'Brien at Bolton.
The duo appear destined to play a big part in Ireland's future as Staunton looks to implement new ideas.
"We just want to show them one or two things and get it into their heads to be a little more flexible - it's not rocket science," said Staunton.
"If we feel we can gain an advantage by doing something in a game, we will do it. I don't want excuses.
"Players are very quick to use everything as an excuse - as I know myself - like formation, players, anything. So we'll be as flexible as possible."
The reason behind that is because the Republic have not won away from home against a major nation in a qualifying group for 19 years.
"That is something we have to address," added Staunton.
"We know what we can do with a 4-4-2 system, so maybe we have to tinker going away from home.
"Looking at our group I think the teams we will be up against play 4-4-2, so if we can gain an advantage by changing it away from home then we will use it."
Staunton concedes his squad has limitations though, and it lacks a big target man in the mould of previous heroes such as Tony Cascarino and Niall Quinn.
"We are restricted up front," added Staunton.
"It's not as if we can go out and buy someone, so we have to get on with what we have got.
"What we do have is a lot of pace and energy from midfield to attack so we have to utilise that and make it work to our advantage.
"We don't have the big man as an option. But who is to say somebody won't come out of the woodwork that is six feet two or three to give you that different option?
"As a manager it's great to change from one style to another, especially if things aren't going right.
"As we have found over the years, it's a great advantage. But we don't have that at the moment so we will have to use our own strengths."
Notable absentees through injury include wingers Andy Reid and Aiden McGeady of Tottenham and Celtic respectively, along with Ipswich striker Alan Lee, while Norwich defender Gary Doherty has been overlooked on this occasion.
Republic squad:
Given (Newcastle), Kenny (Sheffield United), Henderson (Brighton), Breen (Sunderland), Harte (Levante), Finnan (Liverpool), A O'Brien (Portsmouth), Dunne (Manchester City), Miller (Leeds), Kilbane (Everton), Reid (Blackburn), Duff (Chelsea), Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Crystal Palace), Kavanagh (Wigan), Doyle (Reading), Ireland (Manchester City), Elliott (Sunderland), Lawrence (Sunderland), J O'Brien (Bolton), Kelly (Tottenham), O'Shea (Manchester United), Douglas (Leeds).