John Giles, Liam Brady and Eamon Dunphy have been under the microscope after the recent spat with interim Ireland manager Noel King.

While the TV punditry trio were critical of King's tactics - particularly against Germany - King responded by describing them as a "comedy show".

It has prompted questions about how influential the panel is especially after ex-Ireland manager Brian Kerr told Off The Ball that senior figures at the FAI do take the famed pundits' views into account. 

John Giles was on Off The Ball for his regular slot on Thursday Night Football and he told Ger that King should know that dealing with criticism is part and parcel of the Ireland job. He said that King was not properly prepared for the criticism and that the panel were not hard on him. He also felt the Ireland U21 manager's response was disproportionate.

"I don't think we were hard on him. What do you do as a panel before a match? Do you decide that there won't be forensic analysis because somebody's doing the job on a part-time basis? You either do the job or you don't do the job," said Giles.

Brady, Dunphy and Giles

"Once Noel King took the job as an interim manager, then he's taken the job. All international team managers are criticized. Roy Hodgson is a hero and saint today but all of last week he was criticized. Alf Ramsey was criticized when he won the World Cup. Del Bosque is criticized. I was severely criticized when I was manager. You have to take it. It comes with the territory."

Giles used the example of previous Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni to show how a manager should deal with criticism. Giles and Dunphy were among his most strident critics but it never got personal between both camps.

"Trapattoni was a wise old man who had been in the game for a long time. He had no complaint about criticism and he knew that's what happens. I don't think King was prepared for it at all. And do you remember Noel King's reaction to our criticism? He said we had been a comedy act for a few years and that we're out of touch with the modern game," said Giles before continuing:

"That criticism of us was just as severe, and in many ways, more severe than our criticism of him. It wouldn't offend me but I thought that for an international team manager to respond that way was immature. I don't think he realized the position he was in as international manager."

Noel King was not amused by the criticism ©INPHO/James Crombie

As for being influential, Giles said that he, Brady and Dunphy do not set out to influence anyone but admits that their views are listened to by some of the public.

"We have never set out to influence people. If people are hanging on every word then what can you do about that? We don't set out to do it. [The FAI hanging onto our every word] is an accusation and it doesn't mean it's true," said Giles.

He also touched on other topics last night including the baggage that sudden favourite for the Ireland job Mick McCarthy carries from his previous spell in charge. 

He also talked about the Roy Hodgson's bizarre attempt at a team talk, Shane Long and twitter and what it's like to share the same plot of grass as Real Madrid legends Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano.

Listen to the full interview below or download the Off The Ball Thursday Night Football with John Giles podcast on iTunes:

Main Image: John Giles ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan