Staunton sure fortunes will improve

Steve Staunton concedes the favourites tag does not sit well with his Republic of Ireland squad but is adamant the squad will improve their performances in coming games.

"I am not papering over the cracks," he said today following last night's disappointing 2-1 victory over San Marino at the Serravalle Stadium.  "I know we can play a lot better than we did in San Marino.

"We are all disappointed because we know how disappointed the fans are. We know the expectations are high but we are trying to match them in every game. Sometimes that doesn't happen and when it doesn't it's perfectly natural for people to be disappointed, especially the fans.

"I feel for them because I'm a fan too but I am also the manager and I've got a chance to work on things ahead of the games in Croke Park and that's what I will be doing."

The three points secured following Stephen Ireland's injury-time winner sees Ireland sitting third in Euro 2008 qualifying Group D and that, Staunton said, is a positive aspect garnered from an altogether forgettable night.

"These players would have learned a lot last night," he added. "They learned about the expectations levels, they learned about how sometimes things don't work out the way you would like and they learned about how important character is to a team.

He reiterated that his players showed "great character" in securing the winning goal, but that assertion has fallen on deaf ears today as many Irish supporters have called on himself and FAI chief executive John Delaney to resign

"We don't seem to be great as favourites," Staunton conceded. "Down through the years Irish teams have always struggled against the minnows and I don't think anyone has ever been able to put their finger on why that is."

Although the FAI backed Staunton today, next month's qualifiers against Wales and Slovakia at Croke Park will no doubt determine if he will be in charge come the summer tour to the United States in May.

"Our focus now is on Wales at Croke Park on March 24th. That's our next hurdle and we know what we have to do."

The countdown, in every respect, is on.