Euro 2016 Qualifying

[Gather round]

A batsh*t crazy discussion from the Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster earlier today on whether or not Windsor Park should host a Euro 2016 qualifier on a Sunday

Self publicising cleric and one supporter: Verily ye shalt follow the whole truth of the Book of Leviticus. Or at least the bits we've cherry-picked

Everyone else: Live and let love, baby, it's a free country.

DUP & TUV: Not available (translation: well, obviously Dave's too crazy to share a studio with, but we'll cover our backwoods by calling for a postponement just in case).

Nolan: [during pause in discussion] Will everyone shut the fcuk up, don't ye realise this show is about me, me me?

Meanwhile, Nolan's career while forging ahead as SvD says is hanging on a knife edge: will his Ma and sometime co-host wee Audrey realise he's as gay as Vlad Putin before Stephen hits Holywood to take over from Letterman and Jerry Springer?

[BonnieShels]

By saying mates in mayo...they are in mayo they wouldn't know how its pronounced.I know a few lads in Dundalk who know how phisboro is pronounced...

A wildly inaccurate assumption on my Roscommon geography based on information that was not relevant to Termonbarry's placement in this fair isle.

I know a couple of lads in Dundalk who can pronounce Termonbarry alright.



But again we digress. After digesting the group now for over 24hours I am confident enough to think that the shoot-out between us and Poland and Scotland won't materialise. 2nd in comfort.

Scotland's results seemed to get good with a new manager plus the fact that they were already eliminated so there was no pressure on them to perform. Is it likely that they'll have such a sustained rate of results in the next campaign. Naw!

[ArdeeBhoy]

Self publicising cleric and one supporter: Verily ye shalt follow the whole truth of the Book of Leviticus. Or at least the bits we've cherry-picked

Everyone else: Live and let love, baby, it's a free country.

DUP & TUV: Not available (translation: well, obviously Dave's too crazy to share a studio with, but we'll cover our backwoods by calling for a postponement just in case).

Nolan: [during pause in discussion] Will everyone shut the fcuk up, don't ye realise this show is about me, me me?

Meanwhile, Nolan's career while forging ahead as SvD says is hanging on a knife edge: will his Ma and sometime co-host wee Audrey realise he's as gay as Vlad Putin before Stephen hits Holywood to take over from Letterman and Jerry Springer?

Fascinating.
Not.

[DeLorean]

Looks almost certain to be Celtic Park for our game:

The Scotsman: Parkhead clash for Strachan & O'Neill

[legendz]

You're unlikely to get perfection in a draw so have to make the best of what you've got. I think we've got a great draw. We've a test again against one of the best teams in the world. We've two other teams then in Poland and Scotland who should ensure a packed Aviva. It's an interesting draw.

A lot of other groups don't look as interesting but after a campaign of the Week of Football, and the opportunity to see more international football, we'll get more accustomed to the game across the continent.

[Stuttgart88]

I think scotland will be trickier than everyone thinks and Poland showed against england and evenour friendly they will be very tough to beat.

Classic Paul "I'm the only one who called it right" guff.

I think everyone realises Scotland are a threat given they got 6 points from Croatia and are rejuvenated under Strachan. I think everyone thinks Poland are potentially dangerous to an ordinary team like us. I reckon they're probably better than us if they get their act together. I think we need to be bang on top of our game to beat either.

[paul_oshea]

Stutrs I dont think anyone has said that.

Am I not allowed to have (share)an opinion anymore in case I come back like all the other times I was right and say I told you so! :P

[geysir]

Interesting to see that none of the posters who jumped to Gather Round's defense earlier had any comment to make on this hyperbolic trolling nonsense.

Unlike you Preacher Os, they can probably see the absurd side of the nonsense

[Stuttgart88]

Stutrs I dont think anyone has said that.

Am I not allowed to have (share)an opinion anymore in case I come back like all the other times I was right and say I told you so! :P

Some have said 4th place is as likely as 2nd. I think most people recognise they're tough. That's why everyone thinks it's a tough draw. Then you say it'll be trickier than everyone thinks! But the consensus is it's tough. Unless you think it'll be trickier than tough?

[geysir]

Everyone?
I don't think it's a tough draw, it's a normal draw. Poland are one of the weakest teams we could have got.
WC 2014 was a few degrees tougher. Getting the Czech Rep and Germany was tough. Getting Netherlands and Portugal was tough.

[tricky_colour]

How do you reckon we go about it? Gift them a few goals?

Spot on!!
We visit the German early on, so give them an easy game and let them hammer us, keep it nice and friendly.
We are the last team with a reasonably chance of qualifying to play Germany, who by them should have qualified comfortably
and so will have little to play for apart from returning us a favour by losing

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

How can everyone here afford to travel all over Europe for football matches? No mortgages, loans or negative equity I take it?

[ArdeeBhoy]

Careful planning, it can be done...
Though on here, it's very much a minority who go to any games, let alone 'all over Europe'.

[paul_oshea]

I have a mortgage, a car the usual. I also get nagged the whole time when i mention about the trips, but i still do it. If you want something bad enough you will do it. That and the fact Lonodn is more central than Dublin for some flights, so at least 1 less flight.

An example, I often meet lads from waterford/athenry/galway, working in waterford, I doubt they are being paid the moon and the stars but they budget their holidays around this stuff. The real difficulty is when you have to go on the "other" holidays as well.

And its not everyone, very few actually do it on here, moreso on ybig.ie but even so its still only a few that do it for all trips. As you say its not affordable.

Stutts, not tricky no, as we are familiar with both these having played them both recent enough. However tough for many reasons, the crowd, the familiarity, etc and thats before we have to think about certain players.

[back of the net]

Though on here, it's very much a minority who go to any games, let alone 'all over Europe'.

how can you say that A.B?

[ArdeeBhoy]

how can you say that A.B?

Sure working for Special Branch opens your eyes...

[back of the net]

Sure working for Special Branch opens your eyes...

erm ....ok ....


Amazing - someone who knows what the majority of fellow posters are doing in terms of match attendance!!!....without actually knowing

Fascinating

[sulywaterfordfc]

Germany will finish top.
Ireland and Poland to battle for second.
Scotland to finish fourth.

Ireland should be beating likes of Scotland. Ireland should qualify imo.

Be interesting to see the new management team try get us to the euros.

[Stuttgart88]

I don't think it's a tough draw, it's a normal draw. Poland are one of the weakest teams we could have got.

I'm anxious about Poland but only if they get their act together. I think normal is a fair description though, but I think they're normally tough!

[ArdeeBhoy]

Amazing - someone who knows what the majority of fellow posters are doing in terms of match attendance!!!....without actually knowing

Except you asked the question...