Are we setting the bar too high with our sporting expectations?
I doubt it will compare favourably with the ‘Thrilla in Manila,’ or indeed ‘The Brawl in the Hall,’ but the news that two of the defeated Northern Ireland players indulged in a bout of fisticuffs on the plane departing Iceland just about sums up the week from an international football perspective on the island.
For Steve Staunton, the post-mortem assaults started at half-time in Dublin’s RTE studio last night and continued today; similarly, Nigel Worthington has faced the music today in the column inches. But are we being too harsh on the two highly respected former internationals who, in reality, are tasked with leading teams with relatively limited talent and depth to the heights of Summer participation in the European Championships and World Cups?
It was Iceland remember, get one, get one free?
And I support N.Ireland because it is our wee team, and to annoy all those “want to be Scottish” Republic fans from the North, also known as Celtic fans, pronounced Keltic.
But then, hurling is my game.
FD
Hard to argue with your points regarding the north, and they apply readily to the Republic.
The choice of Staunton as manager immediately provoked fury precisely due to his lack of experience, and also confirmed for many the view that the FAI remained a short-sighted organisation, not interested in pursuing the big name managers the Republic’s (relatively) recent footballing successes and undoubted financial strength could and should have attracted.
His appointment was a throw=back to the Giles era of appointing ‘one of the lads’ simply because of his playing reputation- an irony not lost on Liam Brady and Giles himself when Eamon Dunphy went on his post-match rant Wednesday night.
Staunton’s team selections have come in for legitimate criticism- Reid’s omission on Saturday a case in point- though, at times, the media’s complaints about other selection options have been less justifiable. Under Staunton, a promising crop of younger players have come through which bodes well for the future.
Yet, I can’t help but thinking, as IJP points out, that we have become a bit ridiculous in our expectations. When the group draw was made for the Euro Championships, I knew immediately that qualification was a long shot as it would necessitate either denying the Germans a place in the Final stages of a tournament for the first time or getting past a Czech team which reached the semi-finals of the last Euro Championships and contains some fantastic players.
As for the north, or should I say the Glasgow Celtic of international teams (world beaters at home and utterly useless away- and I’m an ardent Celt), qualification wasn’t even on the radar when the draw was made, and only became so after the Manager and players developed a team spirit that was immediately recognised by the wider football world- hence the poaching of Sanchez, and with it any chances of qualification.
I fear Worthington’s reign may be a short-lived one as the matches to come- against the 3 group heavyweights- may deliver a trio of losses that will be hard to take for fans who were dreaming of glory only a matter of weeks earlier.
Yet, as in the case of
Chris
Spot on.
Re the North, my concern is that we write off Worthington too soon. Lawrie got stuffed 4-1 at home by Norway at the start remember – we all went wild because we actually managed to score, but it’s worth recalling we did ship four at the other end! I also seem to remember our friend Beacom all but calling for Lawrie’s head after the Iceland 0-3 debacle.
I’m still sore from the outrageous dismissal of Bryan Hamilton in 1995, followed by an almost-as-outrageous dismissal of McMenemy soon after just as he was putting together a proper youth system.
There is a basic problem, that you allude to. If an NI manager does well, he’ll get poached. If he does poorly, he’ll get fired. Someone has to square that circle!
In that light, a Staunton-style appointment, if supported by experience (which was, in theory, the plan with Bobby Robson) is a very good idea. The alternative is a job share.
IJP,
1.5 million – you’re fucked.
Chris,
5 million – you’re also fucked.
Happy United Ireland team (some hope) – 6.5 million.
Also fucked.
IJP -
“We sometimes forget that some of these funny Eastern countries with larger populations than us are, well, better than us!”
This statement does not however apply to Latvia who are (unlike 3/4 years ago), to put it bluntly, crap.
And while you’re use of ‘Eastern’ indicates you weren’t including them, it’s worth pointing out that Iceland’s population is a fraction of Northern Ireland’s.
Mike
Fair points, but they re-emphasize what I’m trying to say.
Gone are the days when we could get away with dodgy training facilities and non-existent youth development structures and still expect to beat those funny Eastern Bloc teams and thrash countries with smaller populations.
They’ve professionalized vastly. We haven’t. And you can’t rely on one player.
Ireland’s tactics against the Czech’s were one of a team that doesn’t think they are a good side IMHO. Maybe they’re not. ???
The defense defended too far back and allowed the Czech’s lots of space in front of the box to come through and attack. Especially in the first half. The Czechs got their goal that way.
When we had the ball we were in too much of a hurry to go forward away from our already deep defense. When you are hurrying forward ‘one out’ you are very predictable and your range of what you can do diminishes.
Slow down. Pass the ball. Get your defense up the park so you can pass it to them if there is nothing on. Take your time and use mostly skill not all speed.
A team that plays with the defense back is one that doesn’t think it has enough skill and confidence to defend up the park. A team that rushes forward with the ball is one that doesn’t think it has enough skill and confidence to hold onto it.
Maybe they are right ????