And you can't say they should. I think that would be more of a gamble than introducing an experienced man. If Delaney does stick with Staunton, he really is putting both himself and our World Cup chances on the line. I can't believe he'll do that.

It all came to a head against Cyprus on Wednesday night as so many of the problems that have beset this campaign combined. It wasn't the way it should be behind the scenes and a performance like that at home was inevitable.

Above all, like so often, Steve's team selection was baffling. As soon as I heard it, I was bewildered he picked Joey O'Brien in midfield.

It would have been so much simpler to put John O'Shea in there, where he's played for both Manchester United and Ireland.

Even Kevin Kilbane could have gone to central midfield with O'Shea at left-back.

Taking O'Brien out of a position where he's done well to one he's totally unaccustomed to, was just illogical. But then so many decisions have been.

Staunton had the chance to turn the corner when we beat Denmark 4-0 away. That came on the back of some good results and a decent tour of America where a lot of new players were blooded. It was good to have a look at the kids and they did themselves proud with some very good individual performances.

But, importantly, we were on an unbeaten run, no doubt inspired by the twin victories against Wales and Slovakia at home back in March.

Every aspect was improving, above all the confidence, and when he got to Slovakia at the beginning of September, he probably had as good a squad as he's had to pick from since he took on the job. He had the chance to pick a much better side than he did, but he never took that chance. Again, it was just confusing that young Aiden McGeady was starting such an important and gritty game, when he could have put in Stephen Ireland, Andy Reid or maybe Stephen Hunt. McGeady deserves his place in the squad but I think we've got to see how he develops. At the moment I would principally use him to bring on with 20 minutes to go.

There were so many things he could have done better and I think the current malaise started . . . or was maybe revived . . . there.

We still had a fighting chance of making it to Euro 2008 because the Czech Republic had taken their eye off the ball, but we only got a 2-2 draw in a game that was eminently winnable. I think we would have won with a better team selection. All these issues merely highlight how inexperienced and ill-prepared for the job Staunton was.

Beyond Staunton's selections then, he also doesn't seem to have a clear plan.

Over the course of the campaign you would have wanted to see his organisational skills, his strategy, his planning, but there was no evidence of any of that either. I know he had a few injuries but the lack of logic suggested he never had a grand vision. He never looked really confident in any decision he made.

And, of course, the results are damning. We never really saw any big performances . . . not even the draws against the two group leaders.

Off the pitch, another issue was the lack of experience on the bench.

I mean Bobby Robson (below) was there but that was never justifiable as anything other than cosmetic.

The issue at the start was who was going to make the decisions and take training but it soon became apparent Robson was only really a name.

He could perhaps have had some more experienced men in his coaching squad, as Mark Hughes did at the start with Wales. As such, when things got really bad, Staunton didn't have anyone to truly turn to and help out on the training ground. If he goes, the FAI will surely turn to someone with a great deal more time in management behind him.

Around these times, when things are going wrong, there are a couple of old complaints always wheeled out.

One is that the players don't care enough.

Brian Kerr made that point in The Irish Times last Saturday. Reading between the lines, the inference was they get too much money to be really bothered. Not to criticise Brian, but I don't buy into that. It's something never mentioned when things are going well and, generally, players have always had very good wages compared to the man on the street so I don't think it's really an issue.

So Delaney and the FAI will have to judge on all that. And certainly, public attention is beginning to centre almost as much on Delaney as the man he picked. I don't think he'll stand for that too long.

Staunton himself has dug in and that is admirable. I don't think many managers now hold up their hands and resign so the FAI have to sit Steve down, tell him it hasn't worked out and organise a severance package.

If they don't, I'll be flabbergasted. All the spinning about a four-year job, getting third in the group and improving the seeding is nonsense. You've got to look at how the team's performed, how the manager's performed and whether they provide enough confidence to keep him on for the World Cup. I think that's blatantly not the case.

We've said it before, it must be a terrible time for Steve and the last thing I want to do is stick the knife in. But that's the world of football management. I've been through something similar myself when I knew everything was coming to a head and it just wasn't working. If Delaney does what the vast majority think should be obvious, I imagine it could also be a relief to finally get that spotlight off.

All the signs are though that Delaney's gamble hasn't paid off, and it'll be interesting to see what route the FAI take if they do dispense with Steve. Certainly though, you're a mug punter if you chase your money by going down the same road again.