Sanchez sympathy for Staunton has its limits
Lawrie Sanchez sympathised with Steve Staunton's plight yesterday, then vowed to make it even worse by overhauling the Republic of Ireland in the world rankings.
Northern Ireland have risen from 124th to 58th in the FIFA list during Sanchez's 33-month reign and look primed to advance further after taking four points from their last two European Championship ties, against Spain and Denmark.
Their Group F fortunes provide the sharpest contrast to a faltering Republic campaign that hit rock bottom with Saturday's 5-2 humbling in Cyprus.
It left Staunton facing calls for his head. While Northern Ireland manager Sanchez had compassion for Staunton's position, he still set his sights on overtaking the Republic in 43rd position.
Sanchez said: "I do feel for Steve and everything he is going through. It just shows you never know what is round the corner in international football, but I'm sure the Republic's time will come again.
"These things tend to go in cycles and we seem to be in the ascendancy at the moment. I remember speaking to Steve's predecessor, Brian Kerr, at a conference, when the Republic were 15th in the world and we were way down in 124th.
"I would like to think that, in my time in charge, we could perhaps move ahead of the Republic. I don't think it has ever been done, but it is a target.
"If anyone had said to me at the outset that we would knock over two top 10 teams at Windsor Park, beat Finland away and draw in Denmark with 3,000 fans following us to Copenhagen, I would probably have felt that was too much to expect.
"But it has all happened. If we continue at this rate, we are going to be No 1 in the world by the time I have finished. But let's keep it going as long as we can."
Read More
Damien Johnson is expected to return against Latvia at a packed Windsor Park tonight. The Birmingham midfielder was a second-half substitute against Denmark after a two-match ban. He looks likely to replace Michael Duff, who is suspended.
NORTHERN IRELAND (4-4-2): Taylor; Baird, Craigan, Hughes, Evans; Gillespie, Davis, Clingan, Johnson; Lafferty, Healy.
LATVIA (4-4-2): Kolinko; Stepanovs, Astafjevs, Zirnis, Laizans; Klava, Smirnovs, Bleidelis, Verpakovskis; Solonicins, Karlsons.
Referee: Helmut Fleisdher (Germany).
TV: BBC Northern Ireland from 7.30pm (kick-off 8.0pm).
