How Do We Keep Up With Our International Rivals?

tribalarmy wrote: But Bielsa is what happened in the 10 years that trandy was talking about. He's the one that gave this group of players an identity and style that suits their abilities perfectly.

I agree 100% with tribalarmy on this. The style that Chile are playing in this World Cup is very much along the same lines as what we saw from them in 2010. Bielsa has had a huge influence on their style of play in much the same way as we saw during his time at Athletic Bilbao. Unfortunately, I don't think the FAI would ever have the foresight or be bold enough to appoint such a technically proficient manager. We generally look for the short-term option.

Some interesting points from the poster "trapscat" there. But getting coaches into our primary schools - would there not be a lot of resistance to that? A lot of the school principals, particularly in rural areas, would be more intent on promoting gaelic games. Or maybe I`m wrong...

We`re fairly unique here in Ireland in having 4 dominant games - soccer, gaelic football, hurling and rugby. All 4 codes are competing against each other for the same youngsters and many of these kids grow up idolising players from non-soccer codes. (Henry Shefflin, Colm Cooper, Brian O`Driscoll, etc)

Take Croatia, which has a similar (4.5 million) population to us. They churn out technically-gifted players year after year, but their kids are far more focused on soccer as the main ball sport. Ok, basketball and tennis are big as well, but soccer/football is the national sport, same as it is in most countries of the world

a PYRAMID SYSTEM would be a big help. A good progressive connection up the ladder from underage football to LOI football would benefit kids. People can say what they like about the LOI standard but at the end of the day its the highest level of football in the country and where kids can learn most about the game in a professional and competitive environment. The stronger the LOI is, the the closer and easier the gap will be for young players to make the step up.

Xpro wrote: Some interesting points from the poster "trapscat" there. But getting coaches into our primary schools - would there not be a lot of resistance to that? A lot of the school principals, particularly in rural areas, would be more intent on promoting gaelic games. Or maybe I`m wrong... We`re fairly unique here in Ireland in having 4 dominant games - soccer, gaelic football, hurling and rugby. All 4 codes are competing against each other for the same youngsters and many of these kids grow up idolising players from non-soccer codes. (Henry Shefflin, Colm Cooper, Brian O`Driscoll, etc) Take Croatia, which has a similar (4.5 million) population to us. They churn out technically-gifted players year after year, but their kids are far more focused on soccer as the main ball sport. Ok, basketball and tennis are big as well, but soccer/football is the national sport, same as it is in most countries of the world

totally right wit rural areas, live in a rural area myself and the principal of the local school is totally GAA, soccer is not given a chance. I guess soccer will all was play second fiddle to gaa, and when the top man in d FAI thinks all is good in rural areas their wont b much of a change.

Just saying like wrote: roverstillidie wrote: Just saying like wrote: If you can't see the difference between state funding for the horse industry and state funding for football then I suggest you go back to counting LOI football matches where 1+1 apparently equals 4 I do get the difference you jackass.   My point is that it is backwards. The state should not fund profitible but politically powerful private industry over funding a sports infrastructure. You are arguing this on the basis it should be public policy to divert funds from the community to the rich and try and kill off people as early as possible. So you obviously think the state should not give funds to Bord Failte to promote our profitable tourism business or to Bord Bia to promote our very profitable agri-food industry and give it to the FAI instead.  Only one jackass on this thread and it's not me.  Just stop digging for fcuk sake and move on.

clever bit of maniuplation there JSL! however, your argument is flawed for the folllowing reasons:

Edited by greengooner - 20 Jun 2014 at 10:13am

085immersive wrote: We are doing brilliant obviously. Costa Rica beat Italy and Uruguay and we drew with them all in the space of the past few weeks. So we are better than Italy and Uruguay. Costa Rica are in the last 16 in the world cup and we are equal to them!

Sweden battered us.
Portugal battered Sweden.
Germany battered Portugal.
Yeah we're doing just fine.

A huge factor in modern international football is focus and hunger, as we`re seeing at this WC. The Costa Rican players are fairly average individually but as a team they`re hungry to succeed and see the WC as a window to showcase their individual talents.

The English and Spanish players are secure in the knowledge that they`ll continue to earn big bucks in the coming league season and they frankly couldnt be arsed if they bow out early from the WC. It means they get longer hols after a gruelling club season.

I agree with GoneToShowgies, a pyramid system is the way to go. Talented youngsters play underage for the various juvenile teams attached to LOI clubs and progress their way to playing for the senior team. In this way we enhance the standard of the LOI, while also enabling these youngsters to get a degree or trade to fall back on.

If they`re good enough at 22 or even 26, they`ll get a pro contract overseas