Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/188841
25 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2013 FOOTBALL Maltese players vote for the FIFA FIFPro XI 2013 IT'S again the time of the year when representatives of footballers' associations are travelling all over the world to invite players to participate in the vote for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2013. Local players from the Premier Division, 1st Division and also 2nd division players from the Maltese leagues join their peers from all over the world and cast their votes. MFPA representatives are visiting local clubs to distribute voting forms to players. The players enjoy themselves voting for FIFPro World XI. Some consult each other and share their preferences while others prefer to vote alone without discussing or showing their preferences. Obviously players do tend to vote and include their favorite stars and also players coming from their favorite team. Names like Messi, Ronaldo, Pirlo, Balotelli, Lahm, Ribery, Buffon, Bale, Rooney, Falcao and Ibrahimovic will certainly be popular names on the voting documents. Last year the Maltese players almost performed an en plein. They voted for 10 out of the winning 11 players chosen. For the latest updates about the vote for the 2013 FIFA FIFPro World XI, check the FIFPro website and, the Malta Football Players Association Facebook page. Poyet: Players must believe NEW Sunderland manager Gus Poyet is determined to inject a new belief into the struggling Wearsiders having taken over from interim boss Kevin Ball, vowing to consign Paolo Di Canio's tumultuous reign to history. The 45-year-old Uruguayan, a former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder, ended his first managerial job with Brighton in controversial circumstances back in May but is back with a two-year contract at the Stadium of Light. Speaking about his predecessor, he told the press conference: "The time of Paolo has come to an end and it is time to move forward. We are all different and I don't think it is right to compare people. "I know a lot about the players at Sunderland, and I know for them it is going to be even more difficult now with another new manager. "I have to make sure they are comfortable here and we will make sure they are ready and without excuses." On the subject of his time at Albion, he said: "My aim was to try and prove that I'm good enough for the Premier League and so here I am. I've got my chance now. It's going to be a difficult challenge, but I'm ready for it. "When you're at the bottom in the situation that we are, everyone will say it's going to be difficult. The idea here is to believe and to be convinced. From what I see, I do believe that we can get safe. "I need to convince the players and everybody. I need to make sure that players, staff, fans and directors believe in this opportunity that starts today. I'm going to play my part. I need to make sure everybody commits to the cause. "You can see that they want to show everything the first day. Everybody wanted to train - even the ones that I wasn't expecting to. I just asked them to pay attention. The next two or three weeks, there's going to be plenty of information both ways. "I need them to be really aware and to try to understand, to ask questions and to be involved. That will make it quicker. The longer it takes, the more difficult it is going to be. Most of the work now will be mental. It's about getting the right information. "I've had one job as a manager so far and I was in it for four years. Every time a new manager arrives, he wants to stay as long as possible and prove he was the right choice. "I am a confident, positive person but it's too easy to talk in advance. I want to prove it. I want to show you. When we get to the end of the season, I hope we are going to be sitting here smiling and I hope I can show I can do it at this level." With the Black Cats rooted to the foot of the table having taken just one point from their opening seven games, Poyet's first game in charge will be the trip to face Swansea on October 19. The Uruguayan began his coaching career in England in 2006 at Swindon Town, before joining Leeds United as assistant manager. After a year at Elland Road, Poyet returned to his former club Tottenham Hotspur as first team coach, before becoming assistant manager to Juande Ramos. Gus Poyet: Wants to ensure 'everybody commits to the cause' In 2009 he was appointed as manager at League One Brighton and led the club to the Championship play-offs last season where they lost out to Crystal Palace. He will be joined at the Stadium of Light by his backroom staff Mauricio Taricco and Charlie Oatway. Sunderland chairman Ellis Short told the club website: "We analysed a wide range of candidates and believe that Gus's track record, experience, commitment and passion make him the right man to take us forward. "We welcome him to Sunderland." Short also paid tribute to Ball, who took the role of interim head coach following the departure of Paolo Di Canio. He said: "I would like to thank Kevin, along with Robbie Stockdale, Mark Prudhoe and Scott Pearce, who stepped in at a moment's notice in what was a very difficult situation and gave 100% to the cause. "As usual, Kevin gave his all for the benefit of our club and we are very grateful to him for his ongoing commitment."