Hope It's Worth It
Tue, Jan 12 2010
It seems he IFA have come to an agreement with Nigel Worthington to extend his contract.
After much hullabaloo before Christmas concerning Worthington's interest in Sheffield Wednesday, Alan Irvine's recent appointment has put paid to that. With Darren Ferguson in at Preston and Sean O'Driscoll set to take the reigns at Burnley it looks like options have run out for Worthington.
Many Northern Ireland supporters will be non-plussed with many questioning his commitment. Recent chat amongst supporters shows a strong desire to have Lawrie Sanchez back. He's been out of work for almost two years and has made it known he'd be keen to return.
Still, a decision has been made which is to the IFA's credit, as this could have easily dragged on. Let's hope Worthers can start to look at the quality he has to his disposal and building his squad around that.
It's all fun and games. Well, it could be if we could actually get confirmation of our friendly in March. It looks like it could be Wales at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on March 3rd after Belgium snubbed the prospect of our visit to Flanders, mistaking us for our Croke Park neighbours. He's not called Dick Advocaat for nothing.
The IFA however have explained the excuse otherwise, stating a visit to play Belgium would not be financially viable for them. Certainly, any prospect of playing Wales should draw good numbers of Northern Ireland supporters traveling over for the game, so it does seem from the outset to make better financial sense. Still, the quality beer and moules et frites would have been nicer than a pint of Westons and a battered sausage.
Tony Capaldi's loan spell with Leeds has expired despite his efforts being applauded by the Elland Road faithful. So he's back down to Cardiff to join Warren Feeney who had the misfortune to go on loan to Sheffield Wednesday before Christmas. Also with Cardiff is Northern Ireland youngster Josh Magennis who made a surprising start against Blackpool on Saturday in the absence of Jay Boothroyd. However, disaster struck with the teenage breaking his fibula just before halftime. We're all gutted for him. A senior debut does not get worse than that.
Meanwhile still no news with regards Healy, although it looks like the latest club to show an interest is Coventry City. Cov went in for Healy in the summer but it seems a huge drop in wages scuppered the move. With Derby County rumoured to have an interest and the need for Roy Keane to get a striker in, it's a given that he's leaving Sunderland.
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