Stephen Kenny's fierce response to critics was a show of passion and hunger, according to David Meyler.
Meyler, speaking on OTB's Football Saturday, questioned whether those who took aim at Kenny, like Tony Cascarino, following Ireland's difficult week were tuned into the development of the international side under the manager.
"I loved Kenny's post-match comments after Qatar because there was a bit of passion and hunger in it. I love stuff like that," Meyler said.
"I love when he says he does not care what these people think. A lot of it is former players coming out of the woodwork. He is right."
While conceding that Kenny will know that some of the noise is to be expected considering the size of the job, Meyler believes that some of the comments focused solely on the results while ignoring the bigger picture.
"He has to be fair game, I suppose, it is a massive job," Meyler said.
"He is under no disillusion, Stephen knows that. I just feel some of them [the crticis] are watching from afar.
"Richard Dunne would be on the cusp. He is very intrigued, very interested but I listened to Tony Cascarino. They do not know what is going on all the time and kind of turn on the match before, watch the game and then go 'this is awful.
"If you had just turned on Ireland and Luxembourg, you are going to think well this is not great. This is an awful Irish performance, what is the manager doing?
"He said he was going to come in and do this, that and the other and it has not happened.
"Tony is on Talksport, I hear him most days because I live in England but I am also involved. I know a lot of these lads.
"I am intrigued. I want to see Ireland do well. I speak to the lads in the camp that I am still close with to see how they are getting on and what they are doing in training.
"They all speak highly of Kenny. They speak well of Keith Andrews and Anthony Barry.
"Every manager before Kenny, whether it be Mick McCarthy, Martin O'Neill or Giovanni Trappatoni, were all brought in to get results and get us to tournaments.
"I think with Kenny there is a bigger picture in place. They are looking at the overall development of the younger age groups. I want to believe there is a bigger picture.
"Kenny deserves enough time to implement his style and try and impose it across all age groups," Meyler concluded.
Stephen Kenny speaks after the 1-1 draw with Qatar.Dan McDonnell, a football correspondent for the Irish Independent, agreed with Meyler's assessment.
Critique of certain aspects of the style or set up of the team are warranted, however, looking solely at the results do little to add to the conversation around Ireland's development under Kenny in a constructive manner.
"I think there are layers to the criticism," McDonnell said.
"In fairness to Richard Dunne, some of his comments have been very interesting.
"After the Serbia game, Dunne went into detail about the 3-5-2 formation and how Ireland should not have conceded goals from central positions. I think that they are all very valid criticisms.
"Some of the other stuff, we have an issue in this country that we are obsessed with what England thinks of us.
"I think aspects of the criticism have been from people who are not necessarily tuned into it looking at the statistics, zero wins from 11, and saying 'this is a disgrace'.
"It is as if all things are equal and the results have to be measured completely against previous managers working in different circumstances.
"I am not sure some of the critics are fully in tune with the terms and conditions under which Kenny is working under."
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileWith no international football for Ireland, until they meet Andorra and Hungary in June, Kenny will have an opportunity to reflect on this week and analyse how the team can improve in the future.
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