FORMER IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Andy Townsend believes that change should come at governing level within Irish football, rather than solely with the current management set-up.
Speaking in the wake of Ireland’s 1-0 defeat at home to Wales on Tuesday, Townsend reflected on the running of football in this country and said that the current poor run of form is the result of deeper issues beneath the surface.
“There needs to be a regime change at the very top of Irish football,” he said speaking on RTÉ 2fm’s Game On. “That is the area that needs to change; the powers that be that run our game here. Clearly there has to be a different mindset coming from those people.
“That will ultimately take time to develop and time to implement. Whether indeed it ever happens, because that is a boys club. It’s a job for the boys that run the game here. If you try to get rid of any of them, you are doing well.
“All I know is when I look at David Brooks, Harry Wilson, and some of those [players for Wales], it shows there are other nations able to produce and find players.
“There will be some that argue that we don’t integrate them fast enough into the senior team in order to develop them.”
The former midfielder earned 70 caps for Ireland between 1989 and 1997. He added that getting rid of Martin O’Neill as manager would not resolve all of the issues affecting the senior team at the moment.
“That’s not a performance from a team lacking any courage, heart or commitment. They gave everything,” he said. “We don’t have enough at the top end of the field. Honestly, in world football, you have people paid fortunes to make the difference in the top third of the field. That is what usually happens.
“When we talk about the very best players playing Premier League or international football, the best make the difference.
“We have nothing in that area. With the greatest of respects, we have a lot of guys who are prepared to give their all, effort, but not one of them looks like they have a goal in them.
“If we had something in the top third, we would always have a chance to win more games.
“With this particular group, there isn’t anything there. I hear what is being said but my own opinion is you can change the coach, you can change him every six months, but you’re not going to change those boys into goalscorers.”
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Listening to the Sky sports panel. Alan McInally seems to be genuinely confused as to why Wayne Rooney has been left on the bench!! Christ where did they get him from??
Everton Robert. In 2004.
He’s on for the second half – I’ve never seen a United team as devoid of passion or any spark as this one. Christ it’s bleak.
You’re not wrong Robert. Painful to watch. Fellaini is absolute shite as usual.
I will not lie, the way they play is horrendous, but these comments sections make up for it!
Fellaini not the worst of them. Memphis, herrera and blind all absolute rubbish. And all bought by van gaal.
He’s out of shape and has been for his entire career. Rooney has coasted on talent and cut every possible corner. It’s no wonder that he’s 30 and looks and plays like a 35 year old.
He has played top level first team football sooner then most. No suprise the body is starting to get weary.
Compare him physically to Ronaldo. There is no comparison.
Its a weary story. He’s unmotivated, unfit, long long past his best, overindulged by LVG, grossly overpaid, a smoker/drinker/junk food fiend, basically an all round poor professional. He’s been sanitised by captaincy of England and without the old snarl is a neutered threat. He’ll never be the football statesman he’s angling to be. Plus he clearly fancies a swansong in Everton before retirement. Time to say goodbye
He wouldn’t get in the Everton team.
He’s a throw back to the footballers of the 1980s
Lvg in.
Dwight Yorke is a shocking pundit. Calling Rooney “Wazza” goes to show where his prerogative is.
Agree. One of the many brain dead cliche-ridden ex-player pundits that Sky use. Redknapp, Henry as well.
And I forgot to mention the sleep inducing Niall Quinn who tops the lot in my opinion.
So, he finally drops his worst player. The fans get what they want. He even brought him on for the second half to prove that he was right to drop him. Then, after all this time trying to get the guy dropped, there are still morons who question why he dropped him. I give in! Here’s how the game went:
http://whysayanything.com/2015/12/26/united-van-gaal-do-nothing-to-convince/
its time for Rooney to be moved on. He has been useless for the last 3 seasons. should have kept Hernandez
Looks more like a darts player than a footballer
Sad to see a pathetic Utd again today.
Watched a “must win” game today and there was only one team playing to win!
Fellani, Jones and Memphis are not Utd players and like LVG should be given their P45s. It’s the manner in which Utd are losing is the worst thing. No fight, class or willingness to win! Attitude is all wrong! That must stem from LVG and I include the mute Giggs in that. I watched the three management team sit quietly throughout the whole game. No giving out, cajoling or even given out instructions – just sitting mutely as another 3pts goes away. ‘ three stooges’.
I hear they are lacking confidence!! Their bank accounts are not and also no urgency!!! If inevitably Jose does get the job- he will have to sign quite a lot of “January players” and turn average players into workers. I wouldn’t bank on it- they will give the job to Giggs – who has not been able to change these players already !! Top 4 is a distant dream- get use to Thursday night football!!
Dude, on every article?
United looked better when he was on the pitch which is saying alot about what went on in the first half .
LVG is in a no win situation. He will pay the price like all managers of non performing teams. Rooney has been poor for a long time and really has been overrated for years. All great to see as a non utd supporter.
Fletcher scored.. Should have kept him as well I suppose