{"id":23376,"date":"2021-10-05T17:09:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T21:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23376"},"modified":"2021-10-06T14:13:04","modified_gmt":"2021-10-06T18:13:04","slug":"kenny-republic-of-ireland-going-in-the-right-direction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23376","title":{"rendered":"Kenny: Republic Of Ireland ‘Going In The Right Direction’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny (PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stephen Kenny remains convinced the Republic of Ireland are heading in the right direction as he attempts to steer a path through the criticism heading his way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The team have won only once in 16 attempts under Kenny \u2013 a friendly against Andorra \u2013 and have not tasted victory in any of the 12 competitive fixtures they have played under his charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there appears to be popular support for his retention \u2013 and also crucially from his employers \u2013 there are those who believe defeat in Saturday night\u2019s World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan should represent the final straw with a trip to Qatar already beyond his team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked if they have to win in Baku, Kenny said: \u201cI can\u2019t dwell on the negative aspect of what happens if we don\u2019t win. We just have to focus on trying to win the game, that is our objective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think the players\u2019 attitude has been excellent, the spirit is excellent, but we have to turn that into wins. We realize that and I think we have to bring that into the game and try to get that win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe players are very determined, they have shown a terrific attitude and we want to go and win the game on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked further if he could understand the criticism he has received, he added: \u201cYes, of course I can. I\u2019m not above criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s clear what our objectives are and we just want to try to achieve them on Saturday. Criticism is part of it, I can accept that. We just have to prepare the team and try to get the victory that we need on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kenny’s men needed a late Shane Duffy equalizer to draw 1-1 with the Azeris, who prop up Group A, in the Aviva last month and although they emerged with a creditable draw against Serbia three days later, Kenny\u2019s reviews continue to be mixed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, they were desperately unfortunate not to win in Portugal as a last-gasp Cristiano Ronaldo goal got the home side out of jail, and West Brom striker Callum Robinson has called for patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robinson, back in the squad for the qualifier and next Tuesday\u2019s friendly against World Cup hosts Qatar after a second bout of Covid-19, said: \u201cYou go to Portugal \u2013 I know I was isolating, but watching the lads, that was up there with one of the best performances I\u2019ve seen from the boys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf there wasn\u2019t a Ronaldo, we would have got the win that night. Serbia, I thought the lads were great in that game as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese are top, top teams who have high-end quality players, and we have proven that we can not only go up against them battling, but we can play a lot of football against these teams and get chances, so it is, I think, small margins and hopefully we can get those wins on Saturday and Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going in the right direction. It\u2019s hard for fans to see that because it is about results. I\u2019ve been involved in football for a long time. We can feel it coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

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