O'Neill condemns Desmond protest. | + Jota, Emenalo and more injury updates! | Same system tomorrow?

Right, Martin O'Neill spoke to the press yesterday and it was a very much anticipated press conference, I must say.

I mean, anticipated might not be the word.

I think a lot of people were going into it sort of dreading it because there was maybe an expectation of what would be said.

Of course, there was going to be a conversation surrounding the Diarmid Desmond incident at St Andrews Golf Course last week.

But nonetheless, I was anticipating it.

I was eager to hear what the manager said.

Mostly just because we now enter what feels like the biggest week of our season.

I think it's a week that's going to define what happens next.

Motherwell, Benfica, Hearts.

You're looking at three games.

If you win all three, there's a right good feeling about the football again, at least.

You don't win all three.

Suddenly questions will be asked and, well, the season could feel like it's in the bin already.

And I don't mean to exaggerate when I say that, but that I think will be the general tone.

That's just my prediction.

I think a lot of people will want to give up if we don't take maximum points in the league at least this week.

So it's a big week.

That might sound melodramatic.

That might sound over the top.

I'm just speaking from what I'm seeing.

And I don't think there's an awful lot of confidence and optimism about this week ahead.

We'll start with Martin O'Neill's comments on the Diarmid Desmond stuff, shall we? Because, of course, that was what we were all waiting to hear.

And I don't think I was surprised by the manager's comments.

I did say when it happened last Saturday that I expected Martin O'Neill to somewhat toe the party line a wee bit.

There's only so much he's going to say when it comes to situations with his employer at the end of the day.