Now Carlsey has been called up. Make up your mind Stan. Pathetic timing the day before the game - having already decided Quinn, Tabb, Kelly, Foley etc. were more important.
Carsely called up to squad
10/10/2006 - 10:38:37
Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has performed a major u-turn and called Lee Carsley into the squad for tomorrows Euro 2008 qualifier with the Czech Republic.
The Everton midfielder has spent the last two and a half years in retirement after deciding to focus on club football and family at the time.
Recently, however, Carsley contacted Staunton, stating he wished to be considered for future international fixtures.
The 32-year-old was then initially overlooked when the squad was announced for the Euro 2008 qualifying double-header with Cyprus and the Czechs.
When fellow central midfielders Steven Reid and Graham Kavanagh then withdrew through injury prior to Saturdays 5-2 humiliation by the Cypriots, Carsleys return appeared a formality.
However, Staunton maintained a defiant stance, explaining if he were to select Carsley it would be a kick in the teeth for the other members of the squad.
Even in the wake of the nightmare in Nicosia, Staunton defended his decision not to select the 29-times capped Carsley.
When asked whether not recalling the combative player was a mistake, Staunton replied: No, because we are looking forward.
If you remember, a lot of you (the media) didnt have a lot of nice things to say about Lee when he last played for Ireland.
When informed these were now different circumstances, a defiant Staunton added: Well, yeah, but I decided to go with (Stephen) Ireland and he didnt let me down.
Staunton has clearly wrestled with his conscience over the last 48 hours, with Carsley now set to step in after being given the cold shoulder by the Irish boss.
The Republic are in desperate need of a result against the Czechs at Lansdowne Road tomorrow after starting the current qualifying campaign with defeats to Germany and the Cypriots.
Former Everton team-mate Kevin Kilbane, now with Wigan, last week explained just what Carsley would bring to the squad.
Speaking to PA Sport, Kilbane said: He is very professional on the pitch, someone who is not afraid to stamp his authority on games.
He knows his job, sitting in like Claude Makelele at Chelsea in that he gets the ball and gives it to people he feels can do a better job going forward than him.
He wants to do the best for the team. I would say he sacrifices himself for the team, while he also has a fear factor about him.
I think he is the real reason why, while I was at Everton, they qualified for the Champions League two years ago.
Last season he was out injured and we struggled throughout, but now he is back in and Everton seem to be going well again. I dont think that is a coincidence.