The Linfield manager and the N. Ireland boss seem to have at least one characteristic in common, they do not know how to lose graciously. It must be the Windsor Park drinking water? Just over a week ago it was the Linfield manager talking out off both sides of his mouth: one side was complaining about the choice and performance of the game officials, the other side was reluctantly wishing the victors well.
Yesterday, Mr.O'Neill looked downcast and despondent as to the fact that his team had lost to Germany. His line of thought seemed to be:
- We played well and hard...…...Good for them, that was their job!
- He also discussed the fact that N. Ireland had missed 2-3 very good chances in the first half. What is his point? Good/great teams take their chances, that is what good/great teams do!
- Finally, his whining about the pool of players and the skill levels of these players, automatically places N. Ireland at a disadvantage! Mr. O'Neill, this is not a new issue. Your teams have had some success in the international arena, however, truth of the matter is that N. Ireland is not, and perhaps never will be, a TIER 1 team in International football!
Windsor Park drinking water
posted on 10/9/19
What are you on about?
What he actually said was that Northern Ireland gave their all and had three good chances in the game, chances which you need to take against this level of opponent. He then highlighted the gulf in quality between the two squads, which further highlighted how well the team actually did on the night.
You're pointing out something that he never argued against and in fact is a point his comments insinuated.
I have never been his biggest fan but what he has done with the squad he has at his disposal is outstanding.
It seems to me that you wanted an axe to grind but weren't given one so you made one up.
posted on 10/9/19
37 years in a row reigning Home Champions
posted on 11/9/19
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posted on 11/9/19
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posted on 11/9/19
comment by Globaled (U7198)
posted 6 hours, 1 minute ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 5 hours, 23 minutes ago
What he actually said was that Northern Ireland gave their all and had three good chances in the game, chances which you need to take against this level of opponent. He then highlighted the gulf in quality between the two squads, which further highlighted how well the team actually did on the night.
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I think that is exactly what I stated, maybe it was too clear for you?
How about O'Neill simply saying something like "We played well but were beaten by a better team"?
Have a nice life!
I have never been his biggest fan but what he has done with the squad he has at his disposal is outstanding.
It seems to me that you wanted an axe to grind but weren't given one so you made one up.
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That is what he said!
posted on 11/9/19
“It’s hugely disappointing to lose the game,” O’Neill said. “I think we wasted opportunities and I said that to the players.
“I was proud of how we played. We played with intensity, we played with energy, but when you get chances of the nature that we had against Germany you have to take them and we didn’t take them.”
“We can take encouragement,” the manager said. “We can’t control the level of opponents and unfortunately that’s Holland and Germany, we sometimes forget that. You just look at the two panels of players and where they play their club football.
“We take encouragement in terms of how we played but the games aren’t going to get any easier and we’re 100 per cent aware of that. The next games are going to be very difficult and that puts us in a more difficult position.
“You can take a lot of positives. I am disappointed at the minute but I’m very proud of what they gave and when I look back at the game I’ll probably be more positive than at this moment in time.”
I have no idea where you got the negative from his comments.
Even the Germany manager commented on how well they had played.
“It was a very difficult 90 minutes against a Northern Ireland team that played very attacking football,” he said. “They pressed us and it was hard to come into the game in the first half. It was a very difficult game and we are very happy to have won the match.”