SOCCER:There are those who believe Steve Staunton's time in charge of the Ireland football team will come to an abrupt end if this month's games against Wales and Slovakia don't go at least moderately well for the Louthman, writes Emmet Malone,Soccer Correspondent
At yesterday's announcement of his squad for the two games, however, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa defender provided further evidence he at least really does believe he is at the helm for the long haul come what may
The bulk of players included for the Republic's Croke Park qualifiers against Wales and Slovakia pretty much picked themselves, with Shay Given and Kevin Doyle returning after injury to a panel made up, for the most part, of the tried and tested.
In choosing to bring Wigan striker Caleb Folan into the fold for the first time rather than recall the likes of Clinton Morrison, David Connolly or, had size been the priority, Alan Lee, Staunton has, however, displayed an inclination to take a punt on a player that, whatever about its wisdom, appears utterly at odds with any suggestion he might be feeling insecure about his future.
Somewhat bizarrely, Staunton's decision to hand the Wigan striker a first international call up at such a critical point in his own career appears to be based almost exclusively on the recommendations of others, with the Ireland manager admitting yesterday to having only seen the 24-year-old play in the flesh in a solitary cup game for Chesterfield late last year.
Staunton has apparently not yet talked to the player but contact was made through Kevin Kilbane and Wigan boss Paul Jewell after Folan's eligibility, based on grandparents from Inis Mór and Galway, was brought to his attention by Ian Evans.
"He's a big strong lad, an awkward bugger who knows where the goal is," said Staunton. "He's not the most pleasing on the eye but he gave big Dunney a hard time when they played against Manchester City, which is good."
Also included in the panel for next week is Celtic defender Darren O'Dea who, like Darron Gibson, will train with the senior squad during the build up to the Wales game before a decision is taken on whether to release him to the under-21s for the friendly in the Netherlands on Tuesday week.
O'Dea's elevation comes, Staunton confirmed, after a positive report from Celtic manager Gordon Strachan on his progress this year just as, it was explained, Birmingham City goalkeeper Colin Doyle has been overlooked for the moment after a conversation with Steve Bruce and City's goalkeeping coach Nigel Spink.
Pressed, meanwhile, on the reasons behind his decision to omit Connolly and Morrison despite their strong recent form for Sunderland and Crystal Palace, Staunton said it was because they were playing in the Championship while he preferred to give chances to those who were with Premiership outfits.
When it was then put to him Anthony Stokes had retained his place despite being behind Connolly in the Sunderland pecking order he explained that "Anthony gives us a different dimension, that's why I've gone for that".
Sunderland manager Roy Keane has previously expressed surprise at the continued exclusion of Connolly who has scored 11 goals in his last 20 outings for the Championship promotion hopefuls.
And having explained the decision to leave Morrison out of the squad for San Marino on the basis of the player's poor club form, Staunton might have been expected to welcome the striker back with open arms after a run of four goals in as many games for Palace.
Instead he has opted for a player whose top-flight track record consists of five games for Wigan - albeit with the player having scored twice in those outings.
Absent from the squad due to injury are Stephen Elliott, Andy and Steven Reid, as well as Steve Carr, while Stephen Quinn, Andy Keogh and Darren Randolph all miss out after being included for the trip to San Marino.
As he did immediately after that game, Staunton expressed confidence yesterday that his players would lift themselves for the challenge of these two home games and he echoed Shay Given's view, expressed on Monday, that anything less than six points from the encounters with Wales and Slovakia would end Ireland's hopes of qualification.
"I've always said that, that when you look at the group you have to win your home games. After the disappointment they suffered in San Marino they (the players) will be out to prove a point now whether it's at Croke Park or Lansdowne."
Regardless of the difficulties being encountered at present, however, Staunton insisted his task was a long-term one and that he was satisfied that things are moving in the right direction.
"There's progress being made," he said, "even it hasn't shown on the pitch yet, it will."
