Kerr happy to review positives

International Friendly: Brian Kerr could save a lot on medical bills if he'd just learn to love the media. Forget the cold-hand check-ups and the meter-always-running consultants and the grave thermometer twirlers.

We're the guys. We can assess Brian's well-being at 20 paces. We can judge his jaunt, we know how to look for the right creases around his eyes, we can tell whether he's got a song in his heart or half a pound of lead.

Of course 3-0 helps. Three nil takes some of the science out of it. A layman could perhaps predict the managers mood after 3-0 but laymen don't know our dark places. Laymen didn't live through the late Charlton and late McCarthy periods.

This is early Kerr dynasty. Perhaps last night was the official opening of his period but the early exchanges have been frank. Last night was a chance for everyone to regroup, to get back on the right foot. He comes out of the bandroom just as Canada manager Colin Miller is finishing up with some kind words about our "historical stadium". Looks happy. Sounds happy too.

"Of course I'm happy. Three nil in an international. Nobody lies down for you these days. They made some chances. We scored some good goals."

We're away. Like old times. He's making with the odd joke, slagging us a bit. If only it could be 3-0 every time. We just need little one-word prompts to set him off. Damien? "Damien. Brilliant goal. Nearly got used to him doing that. Pity there wasn't more here to see him. I've been coming here a long time but I haven't seen too many as good as that."

There's a long digression to talk about rugby and compare ages with a journalist. We have to get him back on track. Andy? "Andy Reid played well. Journalists voted him man of the match so he must have been good. I though he played well for his first game. He's been doing those things for a few years. He beats players, he can pass, he can score. He needs the experience."

Next. Graham (Kavanagh)? "I'm disappointed for Graham but there'll be another day. Desperate, after waiting for so long to have to go off after eight minutes. I'm disappointed for us as well. I wanted to give Graham a good go."

Hmm. The crowd? "I would have liked it to be full, I always like full houses but most countries around Europe would have been happy with that against Canada on a Tuesday in November."

Doesn't it make it harder though, this slog of rebuilding in a ghostly old stadium where the loudest noise is often the punters rubbing their chins?

"The place is what it is. We're used to going to more modern stadiums around Europe. Everywhere since I started has been better than this but it still retains some atmosphere. It needs an improvement, we understand that. I'd like more passion, people closer to the pitch. Canada didn't come with the greatest reputation. We will have other teams, higher ranked teams."

Learned? Tonight? Anything? "I learned about the individuals who played. I'm glad Rory Delap played. Andy Reid played. Richard (Dunne) came in and played very well. Lots of bits and pieces I've learned and when I think about it over the next few days I'll know more."

Kerr is wary of the culture of instant stardom. When Liam Miller pulled his hamstring last weekend in a corner of Kerr's mind there might have been some relief. Expectations were getting dangerously out of control. Miller was talked down by Kerr. Would he be doing the same thing in relation to Andy Reid?

"I won't talk him down but I'd like people to be realistic about any young player's performance. Liam Miller has done very well for example. I thought there was some over the top stuff though about him being the best player of his age in the world. I think Andy had a very good game tonight for his first international but it wasn't a do-or-die match."

Between now and February what will he do? "I'll sort out some friendlies. The World Cup draw is on the December 5th. I may go to the UAE to see some matches. We'll try to play appropriate games for what we need in the spring."

Miller, a Scot, has a mountain to climb with his boys. He was polite: "We played against a world class team tonight. Our finishing was bad. We know that, we don't need to be told. On another day perhaps we would have merited a goal at least." Other days. That's what the night was all about.