Don Givens interview on skysports

_blank_ · 25-01-2008 11:43AM

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I think we're all sick of personal spats which come in the way of putting the best XI on the pitch. I don't think Givens' attitude is constructive at all.

Hopefully the next manager will have a bit of common sense and can sit down and talk this issue out.

Petty jibes through the media don't help.

Agreed, Givens sounded like a bitter little man in that interview actually.

Mr Alan · 25-01-2008 11:54AM

tbh, do people think that if Ireland was already asked if he wanted to be included in a squad a number of months after the "incident", and said no......that the FAI should keep going back and asking him every time they are announcing a squad?

I would have thought the ball was in his court? maybe thats just me though

_blank_ · 25-01-2008 12:02PM

Mr Alan wrote: »

tbh, do people think that if Ireland was already asked if he wanted to be included in a squad a number of months after the "incident", and said no......that the FAI should keep going back and asking him every time they are announcing a squad?

I would have thought the ball was in his court? maybe thats just me though

Hmm, maybe Ireland should "declare" that he is "ready to play".

But still. Givens has shown utter unprofessionalism here, by airing the dirty laundry in public like this.

He obviously dislikes Ireland, and this has a history, no doubt. But Ireland obviously has some issues that need to be sorted. An episode like this isn't going to solve them either.

Should the FAI not have told Givens to stfu about Ireland, say nothing. Ireland is one of the best prospects the team has, he shouldn't be being singled out by this, especially by the manager. Caretaker or not.

It just shows the type of person employed by the FAI though. He's been working with them for years.

prendy · 25-01-2008 12:08PM

It just shows the type of person employed by the FAI though. He's been working with them for years.

exactly...jus shows whats needed to put up with their cr*p. any decent man wouldnt be fit for it!

its only a friendlt and givens wont be in charge after it so their shouldnt be too big an issue made outta it.
its up to the new manager to talk to every player eligible to play and pick his best possible squad for the WC campaign.

Boggles · 25-01-2008 12:19PM

S.Irelands problems arn't even that severe, he is no Joey Barton. It's easily fixable, with a phone call or meeting by the new manager.

It's the managers job to sort these problems out, all players are different, some need an arm around them, some need a kick in the arse.

If everyone had Givens view, there would be no Cantona's, McGraths, Keanes, etc.

We only have to bare this fella for a short while, I still have no faith that they will get the next setup right, maybe they will, but it will be more by luck than judgement sadly.

At the moment thou, we need Ireland more than Ireland needs Ireland, if you know what I mean.

Muff_Daddy · 25-01-2008 01:17PM

Boggles wrote: »

At the moment thou, we need Ireland more than Ireland needs Ireland, if you know what I mean.

I don't go along with that. We have plenty of other centre midfielders who would be more willing to give 100% to the cause. Yeah, he is a very good player, but his attitude, from an early age, has been questionable at best. He has problems, but so does everybody else, it doesn't stop them from getting on with their jobs. God forbid him playing football for his country.

By all means, leave the door open for S. Ireland, but don't move heaven and earth for the lad.

LostinBlanch · 25-01-2008 01:18PM

Mr Alan wrote: »

tbh, do people think that if Ireland was already asked if he wanted to be included in a squad a number of months after the "incident", and said no......that the FAI should keep going back and asking him every time they are announcing a squad?

I would have thought the ball was in his court? maybe thats just me though

For once I agree with everything you're saying.

Sure Ireland is skillful, but his head isn't right. He doesn't strike me as the type of fella who takes responsibility for anything. Lying about his granny's death, lying about being bullied in the dressingroom. With him, it's always someone elses fault. Not his.

We need to have a strong team spirit in order to have any chance of qualifying; and Ireland at the moment would be a liability. I can just imagine him pulling out prior to an important game and leaving us with no chance to call up a replacement. He'll do what he thinks suits his best interests and not ours.

I think we need to plan without him, and if he grows up and comes on board then it's a bonus. But if I was manager (or any of his team mates) I wouldn't trust him when it came to the crunch.

Boggles · 25-01-2008 01:25PM

Muff_Daddy wrote: »

I don't go along with that. We have plenty of other centre midfielders who would be more willing to give 100% to the cause. Yeah, he is a very good player, but his attitude, from an early age, has been questionable at best. He has problems, but so does everybody else, it doesn't stop them from getting on with their jobs. God forbid him playing football for his country.

By all means, leave the door open for S. Ireland, but don't move heaven and earth for the lad.

We have plenty midfielders willing to give 100%, unfortunately that is 100% of average talent.

Midfield is one area where we are lacking big time, sadly. I take your point thou, in an ideal world all players will go above the call of duty for their countries.

Right now thou it is more appealing to go have a free weekend and go on the piss than to fly into Dublin airport and to be met with the shambles thats is Irish international football setup.

On another point, is Nolan Irish'ish or not?

dbnavan · 25-01-2008 04:56PM

I think Givens is a moron, he wont pick S.Ireland because of his personal issues, it is not a footballing discission but a personal one, that in my book is very wrong. And before any comparisons, it is not like McCarthy vs Keane

BaZmO* · 25-01-2008 05:09PM

whatawaster wrote: »

that is utter crap. He lost a baby ffs. Obviously not as important as turning up for a game of football. The lies that went with it were unfortunate and misguided, but he was young. I think the wind-up's story is probably little more than speculation. He seems to have some sense of humor judging by his superman routine, so i'm sure a bit of banter wouldn't bother him too much.

Didn't he do his Superman routine just after "he lost his baby"? Strange behaviour if ya ask me.

d22ontour · 26-01-2008 12:06AM

Muff_Daddy wrote: »

Don Givins is an old school type of manager

Manager ? Seriously he hasn't a fookin clue about management in any form. Go dig up our U-21 results which he has managed and tell me he is a manager ffs. I agree Ireland handled 'that' situation badly but for any 'manager' to publicy ridicule a player is a fookin joke and shows the total lack of organisational skills the FAIlure have in letting Givens have charge of any squad let alone the senior one.I would probably risk a ban in really typing what i think of Givens in the Irish set-up so will leave my opinion at the above.

Ronan|Raven · 26-01-2008 12:50AM

Givens is perfectly correct on this one.

soccerc · 26-01-2008 12:52AM

d22ontour wrote: »

Manager ? Seriously he hasn't a fookin clue about management in any form. Go dig up our U-21 results which he has managed and tell me he is a manager ffs. I agree Ireland handled 'that' situation badly but for any 'manager' to publicy ridicule a player is a fookin joke and shows the total lack of organisational skills the FAIlure have in letting Givens have charge of any squad let alone the senior one.I would probably risk a ban in really typing what i think of Givens in the Irish set-up so will leave my opinion at the above.

I suggest you speak with the players he has helped develop and make ready for the senior squad. You will also find he has the respect of those who have not made the step up to the next level.

Similarly sit down and chat with Sean McCaffrey and maybe then you'd understand their roles and responsibilities.

Pigman II · 26-01-2008 01:02AM

gimmick wrote: »

Stephen Ireland has lied his way out of squads, TWICE. Read from that what you will.

Plus he wears a toupee so he's the kinda guy who's lying to you before he even opens his mouth.

I think Ireland shouldn't be allowed back into the squad til he learns to stop flipping his wig and grow up. He needs to be a bit more selfless when it comes to playing for his country. For a start he could lend his hair to Lee Carsley for 45mins per game.

eirebhoy · 26-01-2008 01:11AM

Ronan|Raven wrote: »

Givens is perfectly correct on this one.

Well he's guilty of saying a bit too much as usual. Ireland asked not to be included in Ireland squads til he's ready. That hasn't changed. He has not asked to be included in this squad. No reason for Givens to go on a rant about him.

The reason Ireland pulled out of the Ireland squad in the first place was probably embarrassment. He wanted the whole granny thing to blow over. Givens has just made it worse.

Now I could understand Givens rant if Ireland went to some journalist and told him he wanted to be included in this squad.

shane86 · 26-01-2008 01:28AM

Givens should have left it at what he said pre Wales, no need for further comment seeing as this is his last game in charge for (hopefully) a long time.

The attitude towards Givens "man management" and treatment of players he finds to be irresponsible or prima donna like is a bit odd. One of the biggest criticisms of Brian Kerr was his loose grip on the team- wasnt Robbie and a few others on the piss two odd nights before the Swiss game in late 05? Givens doesnt take ****. Neither does Alex Ferguson, but apart from the Beckham incident there have been few criticisms for the way he handles players acting the tit. He fined the lads and sent Evans in exile for a bit. In fact his clamp down on the notorious Man U drinking culture is credited with their revival from the 90s on. Id even reckon he told Ronaldo and Rooney to grow up or get out post WC 06. Hes no nonsense, he demands discipline and tbh he gets it generally.

Surely Givens deserves some credit?

Don Givens interview on skysports

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