Comments on: Poland-Northern Ireland Preview. Fighting For Our Lives. http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html Poland - World Cup 2010 - South Africa Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:22:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: MarcinO http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html/comment-page-2#comment-155635 MarcinO Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:20:29 +0000 http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html#comment-155635 Don’t get me wrong, making it to the major tournaments is an accomplishment in itself, weak groups or not. But a common theme is starting to develop and has for some time. For the games that matter the most our guys always find a way to “have a bad game.” People don’t think highly of Polish players because that is the only time they are judged, major national team tournaments and European club competitions. A lack of the latter would suggests that performances at the World cups are of special importance. Those performances for Polish players trying to make a name for themselves in football circles around the world carry a lot of weight. Bandwagon jumpers may have been the wrong term used. However, you see the point I was trying to make. As supporters, we can expect the best and scream until our faces turn blue and it doesn’t help the results. As a fan, I have come to accept the team for what it is and have lowered my expectations to what I believe are realistic standards. This way I don’t go through that hangover of a loss or a poor performance. That way any win is a nice surprise. You accept loses because they are a part of football but its how you lose games that matters. It just kills me to watch “professional footballers” play the way they do and then use their rolodex of excuses and stand in front of the supporters with a straight face. Nothing seems to work with this group of players, and I'm talking about the senior players (literally). Our complaints go on deaf ears because the problems lay deep beneath the surface at the PZPN. Another thing that bugs the hell out of me is how our youth are being trained and coached. Right when kids start out playing they are being taught tactics that don’t help them develop their skills. Its like they are being taught from a young age that they are not good enough and have to play a counterproductive style just to win meaningless games. I think if at all levels more emphasis was put on developing talent and encouraging creativity we would see a lot better football. It has to begin at the grass roots levels first. Setting a high standard from the start will make it easier later on. Don’t get me wrong, making it to the major tournaments is an accomplishment in itself, weak groups or not. But a common theme is starting to develop and has for some time. For the games that matter the most our guys always find a way to “have a bad game.” People don’t think highly of Polish players because that is the only time they are judged, major national team tournaments and European club competitions. A lack of the latter would suggests that performances at the World cups are of special importance. Those performances for Polish players trying to make a name for themselves in football circles around the world carry a lot of weight.

Bandwagon jumpers may have been the wrong term used. However, you see the point I was trying to make. As supporters, we can expect the best and scream until our faces turn blue and it doesn’t help the results. As a fan, I have come to accept the team for what it is and have lowered my expectations to what I believe are realistic standards. This way I don’t go through that hangover of a loss or a poor performance. That way any win is a nice surprise. You accept loses because they are a part of football but its how you lose games that matters. It just kills me to watch “professional footballers” play the way they do and then use their rolodex of excuses and stand in front of the supporters with a straight face. Nothing seems to work with this group of players, and I’m talking about the senior players (literally).

Our complaints go on deaf ears because the problems lay deep beneath the surface at the PZPN. Another thing that bugs the hell out of me is how our youth are being trained and coached. Right when kids start out playing they are being taught tactics that don’t help them develop their skills. Its like they are being taught from a young age that they are not good enough and have to play a counterproductive style just to win meaningless games. I think if at all levels more emphasis was put on developing talent and encouraging creativity we would see a lot better football. It has to begin at the grass roots levels first. Setting a high standard from the start will make it easier later on.

]]> By: adas http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html/comment-page-2#comment-155634 adas Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:07:09 +0000 http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html#comment-155634 Hieronim, you're right the group is still open. However, if the team plays as they did then even a second place finish will be no good. Don't forget, the second place team with the fewest points doesn't go to the playoff round. Hieronim, you’re right the group is still open. However, if the team plays as they did then even a second place finish will be no good. Don’t forget, the second place team with the fewest points doesn’t go to the playoff round.

]]> By: Hieronim http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html/comment-page-2#comment-155633 Hieronim Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:53:12 +0000 http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html#comment-155633 Our qualifying group is still wide open boys. I'm thinking we are going to at least make it to second place for the playoff. You guys are already talking about 2012, jeez the 2010 qualification isn't even close to being settled. You think Slovakia and Northern Ireland are taking the top two spots? There is still much to be decided. Our qualifying group is still wide open boys. I’m thinking we are going to at least make it to second place for the playoff. You guys are already talking about 2012, jeez the 2010 qualification isn’t even close to being settled. You think Slovakia and Northern Ireland are taking the top two spots? There is still much to be decided.

]]> By: zaraza http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html/comment-page-2#comment-155632 zaraza Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:16:47 +0000 http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html#comment-155632 I'm disappointed like everyone but let's not overreact here. We won't be stuck with the deadwood for much longer. We have some talented new players in the pipeline, some of them are already starting to break through at club level. In a year or two our NT could look very different. I’m disappointed like everyone but let’s not overreact here. We won’t be stuck with the deadwood for much longer. We have some talented new players in the pipeline, some of them are already starting to break through at club level. In a year or two our NT could look very different.

]]> By: SD http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html/comment-page-2#comment-155631 SD Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:14:34 +0000 http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html#comment-155631 See I don't understand how some people(mostly on polishsoccer's forum) say we needed to forget the world cup and start from the beginning with new younger players for Euro 2012. Essentially we'll just turn our U-21 and U-23 into the NT team. The younger players need to be intergrated in with the vets otherwise its going to be a complete train wreck and Polands FIFA ranking will easily drop to 150 or below. The importance of making it into the WC is Poland can't be a host like Austria in Euro 2008 where they blow compared to the rest. We qualified for the last Euro when they awarded us the new one seeing as we could play, now if they see we ca't even make a WC (which is way easier IMO)people will have doubts about Poland in Euro 2012. Scrapping Leo if we don't qualify ok but scrapping the whole team is just retarded. Also @zaraza, i think Peszko might be a better option than Piszczek. See I don’t understand how some people(mostly on polishsoccer’s forum) say we needed to forget the world cup and start from the beginning with new younger players for Euro 2012. Essentially we’ll just turn our U-21 and U-23 into the NT team. The younger players need to be intergrated in with the vets otherwise its going to be a complete train wreck and Polands FIFA ranking will easily drop to 150 or below. The importance of making it into the WC is Poland can’t be a host like Austria in Euro 2008 where they blow compared to the rest. We qualified for the last Euro when they awarded us the new one seeing as we could play, now if they see we ca’t even make a WC (which is way easier IMO)people will have doubts about Poland in Euro 2012. Scrapping Leo if we don’t qualify ok but scrapping the whole team is just retarded. Also @zaraza, i think Peszko might be a better option than Piszczek.

]]> By: Kazik http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html/comment-page-2#comment-155630 Kazik Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:57:31 +0000 http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html#comment-155630 @Tomek from Holland. Agreed, Obraniak and Ebi on the pitch at the same time may be the best solution. They may complement each other well, since I think as you say Obraniak is better creating chances with passes then with speed (he had some nice one touch give and go passes) and Ebi can make a run or beat a defender with the ball. They may form a better offensive combination. I was more upset with the play of No. 16 than No 15 (those two could do nothing right). Brozek made the run and pass on our goal, I still feel he has a good instinct for the goal. This team needs to find competent players to make runs and score goals and (as you say) not shoot far, high and wide of the goal. Good Luck to us and lets hope they can make the final 3 matches enjoyable. @Tomek from Holland. Agreed, Obraniak and Ebi on the pitch at the same time may be the best solution. They may complement each other well, since I think as you say Obraniak is better creating chances with passes then with speed (he had some nice one touch give and go passes) and Ebi can make a run or beat a defender with the ball. They may form a better offensive combination. I was more upset with the play of No. 16 than No 15 (those two could do nothing right). Brozek made the run and pass on our goal, I still feel he has a good instinct for the goal. This team needs to find competent players to make runs and score goals and (as you say) not shoot far, high and wide of the goal.
Good Luck to us and lets hope they can make the final 3 matches enjoyable.

]]> By: adas http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html/comment-page-2#comment-155629 adas Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:04:34 +0000 http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html#comment-155629 It is an embarassment to miss out on a world cup especially after qualifying for the last two and qualifying for the first Euros in the country's history. After all those years without a major tournament appearance to make three in a row seems like an upswing. But if all we have to show is three straight eliminations after the first round then how exactly do Poland deserve to cohost a Euro tournament themselves? And if this decline continues its gonna look like a total disaster football-wise regardless how the stadiums, hotels, etc. come out. I want people to remember the Polish Euro as much for how well the team plays as how good the country looks. Face it, that doesn't look so good now. It is an embarassment to miss out on a world cup especially after qualifying for the last two and qualifying for the first Euros in the country’s history. After all those years without a major tournament appearance to make three in a row seems like an upswing. But if all we have to show is three straight eliminations after the first round then how exactly do Poland deserve to cohost a Euro tournament themselves? And if this decline continues its gonna look like a total disaster football-wise regardless how the stadiums, hotels, etc. come out. I want people to remember the Polish Euro as much for how well the team plays as how good the country looks. Face it, that doesn’t look so good now.

]]> By: JZ http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html/comment-page-2#comment-155628 JZ Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:31:59 +0000 http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html#comment-155628 Being critical and complaining about our team does not make you a bandwagon jumper. All that means is you expect more from your team - you will not accept poor performance. A bandwagon jumper says he will not support the team any more. A poor supporter will be OK with poor results. A true supporter will rip, complaine , and expect changes & improvement the next game & next game after that. If they played well but get a bad result is one thing, but when it is a must win game and they play like they have no clue on what to do then you rip on them because you care about the NT. In this WC qualifying group I expected them at the minimum to take second place but this now seems like a steep hill to climb. Being critical and complaining about our team does not make you a bandwagon jumper. All that means is you expect more from your team – you will not accept poor performance.
A bandwagon jumper says he will not support the team any more.
A poor supporter will be OK with poor results.
A true supporter will rip, complaine , and expect changes & improvement the next game & next game after that.
If they played well but get a bad result is one thing, but when it is a must win game and they play like they have no clue on what to do then you rip on them because you care about the NT.
In this WC qualifying group I expected them at the minimum to take second place but this now seems like a steep hill to climb.

]]> By: zaraza http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html/comment-page-2#comment-155627 zaraza Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:29:27 +0000 http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html#comment-155627 Although there's still a chance we could qualify through second place, I just don't believe this group of players is capable of it.. I mean, they've proven over and over that even minnows are too tough for them.. I agree that we need an overhaul. The problem is that most of our up-and-coming talents still need at least another year to mature... Possible reinforcements: - Jelen - will have recovered in time for the October matches, should go straight back into the starting 11 - Majewski - a creative central midfielder who's capable of scoring goals, playing regularly at his new club - Piszczek - We need an alternative in case Kuba is playing bad and Piszczek is certainly a better option than Lobo. Plus he's quite versatile: he played very well on the left in Hertha's last match. He hasn't played much in Hertha's starting 11 this season, however, that might soon change as his form is said to be improving. He would be a useful sub for tiring defenders as he's very quick down the wing. - Janota - It might be too early but I hope Beenhakker takes a look at him. - Janczyk - apparently he's prone to missing sitters so perhaps not really an improvement on Lewy. Although there’s still a chance we could qualify through second place, I just don’t believe this group of players is capable of it.. I mean, they’ve proven over and over that even minnows are too tough for them.. I agree that we need an overhaul. The problem is that most of our up-and-coming talents still need at least another year to mature… Possible reinforcements:

- Jelen – will have recovered in time for the October matches, should go straight back into the starting 11
- Majewski – a creative central midfielder who’s capable of scoring goals, playing regularly at his new club
- Piszczek – We need an alternative in case Kuba is playing bad and Piszczek is certainly a better option than Lobo. Plus he’s quite versatile: he played very well on the left in Hertha’s last match. He hasn’t played much in Hertha’s starting 11 this season, however, that might soon change as his form is said to be improving. He would be a useful sub for tiring defenders as he’s very quick down the wing.
- Janota – It might be too early but I hope Beenhakker takes a look at him.
- Janczyk – apparently he’s prone to missing sitters so perhaps not really an improvement on Lewy.

]]> By: Tomek http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html/comment-page-1#comment-155626 Tomek Sun, 06 Sep 2009 09:02:02 +0000 http://poland.worldcupblog.org/1/poland-northern-ireland-fighting-for-our-lives.html#comment-155626 ^Too bad the Dutch are complete assholes though, making it impossible for me to enjoy their play. Anyway, to qualify we need to beat: 1. Slovenia: The easiest opponent, though they ALWAYS gave us problems. Still me simply must win this, since they pale compared to the next challengers: 2. Czech Republic: A team that is way past their glory, but still able to give us huge trouble. Not to mention they upgraded the team with Koller and Rosicky back. Though we improved as well. Not impossible but will be very difficult, especially in Prague. Jelen MUST be back for this, also hopefully Kuba will be as good as previous time against the pepiczkis again. Then we might fluke this. Maybe. 3. Slovakia: Probably the hidden relevation of the tournament, just like Russia in the previous one. Hamsik is just plain out amazing, completely craps over any player we have. The whole team is in the best form they've ever been. We'll be needing a small miracle to win this. It's ironic how something once seens as a team we'd comfortably beat is now easily the best team of the group. Very challenging but we might scratch. An overhaul is needed though. Then we might scrap ourselves to the WC again. And I might start believing in the Polska again. ^Too bad the Dutch are complete assholes though, making it impossible for me to enjoy their play.

Anyway, to qualify we need to beat:

1. Slovenia: The easiest opponent, though they ALWAYS gave us problems. Still me simply must win this, since they pale compared to the next challengers:

2. Czech Republic: A team that is way past their glory, but still able to give us huge trouble. Not to mention they upgraded the team with Koller and Rosicky back. Though we improved as well. Not impossible but will be very difficult, especially in Prague. Jelen MUST be back for this, also hopefully Kuba will be as good as previous time against the pepiczkis again. Then we might fluke this. Maybe.

3. Slovakia: Probably the hidden relevation of the tournament, just like Russia in the previous one. Hamsik is just plain out amazing, completely craps over any player we have. The whole team is in the best form they’ve ever been. We’ll be needing a small miracle to win this. It’s ironic how something once seens as a team we’d comfortably beat is now easily the best team of the group.

Very challenging but we might scratch. An overhaul is needed though. Then we might scrap ourselves to the WC again. And I might start believing in the Polska again.

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