Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Brazil remain top of FIFA rankings
Brazil remain top of the FIFA rankings issued today but world champions Italy are closing in fast. One other small thing, Northern Ireland are now ahead of the Republic of Ireland, in 45th place as opposed to 49th for Staunton’s team.
George @ 09:16 AM
“ they seem to be loosing their inferiority complex”
Rapidly.
Pride, Passion & Belief.
Onwards and Upwards.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:12 AMI don’t go in much for the FIFA rankings myself, but in saying that, i wouldn’t be putting money on the Republic against NI at the moment either.
Congrats to NI. Sanchez set his short term goals and he and the boys have achieved them splendidly. I hope they can continue to surprise.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:26 AMgood to see a real team with real players dong well.
not like the england b team trhat is the oirish.
ha, read it and weep.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:27 AMpith
Just admit it, you have difficulty with this aul reading lark. Not to worry son, you’ll get the hang of it, just take your time.The Worlds Gone Mad
“Being in the top 50 football nations in the world with such a small population is a much greater achievement. “How is it an achievement if “the rankings are a croc of shite”? :)
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:28 AMand we will always cry no surrender as our forefathers did before us, and made us what we are.
no surrender.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:28 AMWell done stephen
Keep up the sectarianism and hatred
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:34 AMA poor attitude being shown by some Southern Ireland fans here.
Staunton has had one bad competitive result. That’s it.
Give the man a chance.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:39 AMmaca,
A word of advice. If you are going to make a jibe don’t make the same one twice especially when the first effort was weak otherwise I will return to sparring with those of sharper turn of phrase.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:41 AMWillow
“That’s it.”That’s far from it!
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:42 AMPith
Touched on a sensitive spot did I? Call childline, maybe they can help you.Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:45 AMStephen Cooper,
“and we will always cry no surrender as our forefathers did before us, and made us what we are.”
I have never once heard “No Surrender” chanted in the middle the National Anthem during any Rememerance Service that commemorates the sacrifice of our forefathers.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:46 AMThat’s fair Willowfield for Staunton, and perhaps he will come back and do well.
But i think the Republic really has to take concrete steps to progress and that includes getting an experienced international Manager.
They need someone with experience to take them tactically to the next level so that they expect to qualify, and then expect to do well in tournement play.
It’s a long term in the wilderness, and they can’t afford to take chances IMHO and risk going backwards, but what do i know ? :o)
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:48 AMwhatever, boo hoo.... grow up.
we are better than you lot, face it and applaud the man for what he has achieved.
our wee sons are soaring and the rep are falling away....every dog has its day, so forgive me for enjoying the moment, it makes a delightful change from the days when we couldnt score, never mind win a game.
oh, and no surrender…
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:51 AMCyprus are at 80 and Iceland at 95. Is that fair?
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:53 AMA printout of this thread should be given to unionists to show them what a inclusive agreed Ireland will be like…
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:53 AMAnd what goes around comes around Stephen, as some of our regular Rep fan readers can attest.
All,
can we just drop the petty insults and get back to football?
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:55 AMThen why does the south feel the need to poach the north’s players?
Ireland doesn’t poach players from the north. Irishmen from the north choose to play for their country. Simple as that. Pity the IFA can’t get their head round it.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:55 AMA printout of this thread should be given to nationalists to remind them what an exclusive North of Ireland is still like…
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 11:57 AMYeah in the current North of Ireland you can support whaever national team you like and go play for either....not so bad is it. Some people may nto like it but thats how it is.
Thats pretty inclusive
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 12:23 PMmaca
‘How is it an achievement if “the rankings are a croc of shite”?’Individual rankings are pretty spurious e.g. Uruguay at no.15 while the team that knocked them out of the World Cup qualifiers and reached the last 16 in the finals, Australia, are no.38. Brasil seemingly always on top regardless of how well they perform.
However, even these rankings can show trends, and the trend for NI since Sanchez took over is up, up, up and for a team with such a small catchment it is a great achievement to ‘officially’ be in the top quadrant of world football.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 12:29 PMMaca,
I have no intention of calling you. Now get back under your bridge or get a life. Bye.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 12:29 PM“And what goes around comes around Stephen, as some of our regular Rep fan readers can attest.
All,
can we just drop the petty insults and get back to football?
Posted by Mick Fealty on Oct 18, 2006 @ 12:55 PM”
You have a brass neck Mick. look at he disgusting diatribe aimed at myself on the stan and lawrie thread and then point out where you intervened.
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 12:40 PMYeah in the current North of Ireland you can support whaever national team you like and go play for either....not so bad is it.
Ergo in the south you can’t? Somebody better tell the Poles, the Lithuanians, the Latvians etc - it may well be a hanging offence!
“and we will always cry no surrender as our forefathers did before us, and made us what we are.”
At a guess: b-i-g-o-t-t-e-d supremacists?
How very inclusive!
Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 12:43 PMpith
Call me?? *snigger*
You know, a real man would just admit he was wrong, but i’ll let you away with it this time, so off you go.TWGM
“However, even these rankings can show trends..”On that I agree. NI are definitely on an upward trend, fair dues to them.
However if the rankings are shite then how are NI officially in the top quadrant of world football?
The timeline here is just too short. If they maintain that trend for the next couple of years then you will have a point as maybe they can then be considered to be in the top quadrant of world football irrespective of their FIFA ranking.Posted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 12:56 PMI continue to be amazed at the treachery of NI GAWA who boohed the team off at half time in the Iceland match-offered no support in the second half-and repeated the disgraceful boohing at the final whistle. It is clear that the average NI fan is in the “only Sing when we are winning” category.
There is a sickness in football and the fans buy into it with their conformity to peer pressure and their buying into media manipulation. Attacking the team,individual players and the manager is their way of showing loyalty. The purchase of replica 5 dollar shirts and other gear at exorbitant prices and paying inflated admission prices are examples of their lack of perspective.Football has so much to learn from Rugby and GAA. The “suits” in football have no regard for anyone but themselves-anyone is expendable if it keeps the spotlight of their inability.
No one is more fickle than a football supporter and any player or manager becomes fair game for vilification when things go wrong. The press dont help by creating unrealistic expectations and put the boot in when things dont go well.
This present NI team will do better than any team in the past twenty years -but the support for team and manager must be there through good times and bad. This particular manager and this group of players give their very best and deserve support especially when things go wrong.
If NI finish fourth in their group with 18 points that would be success indeed and be a good basis for futher development.As for Steve Staunton-I wish him well as I would be delighted if both Irish teams could do really well.
T.RuthPosted by on Oct 18, 2006 @ 12:57 PM
