All this negativity

[Duggie]

are we beaten before we start lads....i look at italy and see toni, gilardinho, gattuso, di natale all out. he wont pick players like cassano, inzaghi, del piero. yes we have duff and mcgeady out but thats football. i actually dont mind that keogh will play, decent player IMO. italy will prob play rossi and pazzini upfront so we have faced a lot worse than that in years past. if the team believes i think we can at least get a point, at least. here's hoping for a whealan wonder free kick or similiar. fingers crossed. come on the boys in green :ball:

[Stuttgart88]

I'm usually the perennial optimist around these parts but I was just dismayed at how lacking in some of the basics we were on Saturday.

With Finnan, Duff, McGeady and both Reids available, not to mention Stephen Ireland, I think we'd actually be quite a strong team. Without them we're severely weakened and lacking balance.

OK, so that's the negative bit out of the way.

On the plus side, we have a great keeper, a good central defence and two Champions League quality forwards. If the others play to their best then who knows?

This Italy team is not at full strength and they may not have had time to gel. Montenegro gifted them a goal and were unlucky not to have equalised on a few occasions.

We have a manager known worldwide for his ability to grind out results and I reckon he's seriously motivated for this game.

I was expecting a spanking in Amsterdam in 2000 (not in one of the bondage clubs) and look what happened. We went to Stuttgart over 2 years ago with a weak team and lost narrowly to an unlucky goal and both Robbie & Dunne came close at either end of the game.

If we stay competitive anything can happen. Here's hoping.

[the doc]

I'm usually the perennial optimist around these parts but I was just dismayed at how lacking in some of the basics we were on Saturday.

With Finnan, Duff, McGeady and both Reids available, not to mention Stephen Ireland, I think we'd actually be quite a strong team. Without them we're severely weakened and lacking balance.

OK, so that's the negative bit out of the way.

On the plus side, we have a great keeper, a good central defence and two Champions League quality forwards. If the others play to their best then who knows?

This Italy team is not at full strength and they may not have had time to gel. Montenegro gifted them a goal and were unlucky not to have equalised on a few occasions.

We have a manager known worldwide for his ability to grind out results and I reckon he's seriously motivated for this game.

I was expecting a spanking in Amsterdam in 2000 (not in one of the bondage clubs) and look what happened. We went to Stuttgart over 2 years ago with a weak team and lost narrowly to an unlucky goal and both Robbie & Dunne came close at either end of the game.

If we stay competitive anything can happen. Here's hoping.

Thats all very well and yes we have a chance, on the downside we have a has been manager and has not player in McShane!

I think we all saw what the Bulgarians did to us when they played their way through us, if the Italians do the same they will have more quality up front to punish us.

[ifk101]

Thats all very well and yes we have a chance, on the downside we have a has been manager and has not player in McShane!

More trolling :rolleyes:.

[tetsujin1979]

I think we all saw what the Bulgarians did to us when they played their way through us, if the Italians do the same they will have more quality up front to punish us.
I saw them not scoring, and barely able to get into our penalty area

[gustavo]

Thats all very well and yes we have a chance, on the downside we have a has been manager and has not player in McShane!

I think we all saw what the Bulgarians did to us when they played their way through us, if the Italians do the same they will have more quality up front to punish us.

Can you please try to have a post that doesn't knock McShane in order to continue your petty agenda , It's boring at this stage.

[Naitch]

I just have a very funny feeling about tonight. Just remember -

North of Ireland 1-0 England

North of Ireland 3-2 Spain

Scotland 1 - 0 France

France 0- 1 Scotland

Romania 0 - 3 Lithuania

Portugal 2 -3 Denmark

Looks lads shock results do happen, just believe and have faith. The lads always deliver when we least expect it.

[ifk101]

I saw them not scoring, and barely able to get into our penalty area

What about the time in the first half when they put a few one-twos together, danced their way into the box, pulled the ball back to a in-rushing midfielder only for him to shoot straight at Given. ;):D

[Shilts]

I reckon we need more help in the centre of midfield. Trap should either go 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 with Robbie dropping off to prevent the Italians getting their passing game going. Also the wide midfielders need to tuck in more when we don't have the ball (which will be a lot).

As for going forward tonight - set pieces maybe??? :D
Lets be realistic - a point would be one of our best results in years.
But not impossible... C'mon Ireland!!! :ball:

[passinginterest]

We'll definitley see if this group of players have the carachter to fight for every scrap, if they do then it's possible to nick a draw, or a smash and grab win.

I have a feeling Kevin Doyle will put in a fantastic display and if he's not in the Premier league next season he might pop up in Serie A.

[geysir]

What about the time in the first half when they put a few one-twos together, danced their way into the box, pulled the ball back to a in-rushing midfielder only for him to shoot straight at Given. ;):D

All I saw was the space afforded and our CM with an effective cloak of invisibility.

[Duggie]

i follow italian football and this italy team is average regardless of what happens tonight. apart from pirlo hes the only one i really fear. no real goal scoring threat in the team. interesting to see who lippi plays upfront.

[Scram]

are we beaten before we start lads....i look at italy and see toni, gilardinho, gattuso, di natale all out. he wont pick players like cassano, inzaghi, del piero. yes we have duff and mcgeady out but thats football. i actually dont mind that keogh will play, decent player IMO. italy will prob play rossi and pazzini upfront so we have faced a lot worse than that in years past. if the team believes i think we can at least get a point, at least. here's hoping for a whealan wonder free kick or similiar. fingers crossed. come on the boys in green :ball:

Yeah!:

"fingers crossd"

"here's hoping"

"wonder free kick"

"if the team believes i think we can at least get a point" !!!!

That's positivity? more like a wing and a prayer (with no wingers!).

I hope I win the lottery tonight, but realistically the odds are very much against that...is that negativity? I have upped my chances by buying a ticket with 6 numbers on each line....unlike Trappa, who has left two numbers off!

Anyone know a good prayer to give us some chance?

[OwlsFan]

Yep, sack the manager :rolleyes:!!

......................PW D L F A GD Pts
Italy...............5 4 1 0 8 2 6...13
Rep of Ireland.5 3 2 0 6 3 3...11
Bulgaria.........4 0 4 0 3 3 0.....4
Cyprus...........4 1 1 2 4 5 -1....4
Montenegro....4 0 2 2 3 6 -3....2
Georgia..........6 0 2 4 4 9 -5....2

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, but Fulham didn't have a prayer against United last week. Funny things happen in sport. I'm not expecting it but as a fan I'm hoping.

[Scram]

Yeah, but Fulham didn't have a prayer against United last week. Funny things happen in sport. I'm not expecting it but as a fan I'm hoping.

We are ALL hoping and praying.....not exactly what would be called "positivity" !!

[ifk101]

Cyprus could do us a favour today - positive thinking and all that. ;)

Bulgaria's draw against us doesn't do them any favours unless they beat Cyprus and beat us when we play them again in June.

[Gather round]

I just have a very funny feeling about tonight. Just remember -

North of Ireland 1-0 England

North of Ireland 3-2 Spain



Thanks Naitch. If it's any consolation, I'll be supporting Southern Ireland tonight.

[Flea]

We've got a midfield of two championship players and two guys who deserve to be in the championship against the greatest playmaker in the game, one of the top 5 box to box midfielders in the world and a pair of world class attacking wing backs.

We don't have a prayer. Very few teams would.

Why do they deserve to be in the championship? Do you not think Andrews has worked extremely hard to get where he is? I presume you are referring to Pirlo, Grosso and Zambrotta. Being an avid Serie A fan, I don't think you would call these players world class. They are great players, but to call Pirlo the greatest play-maker in the game is an exaggeration, while Zambrotta isn't having a great season.

---------------------
Added to this, a lot of Irish fans I know, who are pumping up the Italian players, criticised the Italian teams in the champion's league just last month, saying that Serie A is out dated in their style of play and players like Totti and Gattuso are past their best. Yet now, even the wings backs are being referred to as world class, a very misused term by all accounts. If only some of the Irish 'fans' would actually support the team.

[Duggie]

Why do they deserve to be in the championship? Do you not think Andrews has worked extremely hard to get where he is? I presume you are referring to Pirlo, Grosso and Zambrotta. Being an avid Serie A fan, I don't think you would call these players world class. They are great players, but to call Pirlo the greatest play-maker in the game is an exaggeration, while Zambrotta isn't having a great season.

---------------------
Added to this, a lot of Irish fans I know, who are pumping up the Italian players, criticised the Italian teams in the champion's league just last month, saying that Serie A is out dated in their style of play and players like Totti and Gattuso are past their best. Yet now, even the wings backs are being referred to as world class, a very misused term by all accounts. If only some of the Irish 'fans' would actually support the team.

i agree with this, i also follow serie A and know this is an average italian squad compared to others. when you leave out or have injuried players like cassano,totti(retired),gattuso,toni,gilardinho,del piero,inzaghi
then your not left with all that much world class talent. im not as scared of tonight as most on here seem.

[tetsujin1979]

Cyprus could do us a favour today - positive thinking and all that. ;)

Bulgaria's draw against us doesn't do them any favours unless they beat Cyprus and beat us when we play them again in June.
I'm hoping Georgia do us a favor and beat Montenegro, putting them bottom of the table, and giving us a 6 point boost in the best second placed table

[Naitch]

Thanks Naitch. If it's any consolation, I'll be supporting Southern Ireland tonight.

I just knew a Northern fan would comment on that. Its like all you guys just come on this board looking for things to comment about the North of Ireland

[Gather round]

I just knew a Northern fan would comment on that. Its like all you guys just come on this board looking for things to comment about the North of Ireland

Heh. No, to be fair to everyone else it's just me. But you do realise that posting random wind-ups tends to get a response in kind? Of course you do :)

Anyway, enjoy the game tonight.

[Naitch]

Im sorry but i can assure you it wasn't intended to be a wind up.

[antrimgreen]

We only can hope that those selected to play, play with pride and passion for the shirt they have on their back if they do that then we will have a chance. Come on you boys in green.

P.S. RTE aerial took a bashing with the weekend winds have to pay around £50 minimum to get it sorted and i only really need it for this one game as i have sky and setanta. So all i ask from the team is effort to be 100%. If the performance lacks effort and passion then i will be fuming!!!

[SkStu]

woke up this morning with a feeling we could do them tonight... i am kind of shocked at myself.

[Scram]

woke up this morning with a feeling we could do them tonight... i am kind of shocked at myself.

Are you sure you're awake ? :)

Here's hoping.

[weldoninhio]

[quote=Stuttgart88;1134491]On the plus side, we have a great keeper, a good central defence and two Champions League quality forwards. If the others play to their best then who knows?
quote]

HAHAHAHA!! YOU GOT US!!!!! APRIL FOOLS!!!

[Stuttgart88]

fcuk off you miserable prat.

Do you not think that Keane & Doyle are CL standard. Tell me why they're not.

I'm not saying they'd win the fcuking thing but you obviously feel they'd look out of place at that level. Tell me why.

[irishultra]

put doyle in that italian team and he'd be awesome.

[weldoninhio]

fcuk off you miserable prat.

Do you not think that Keane & Doyle are CL standard. Tell me why they're not.

I'm not saying they'd win the fcuking thing but you obviously feel they'd look out of place at that level. Tell me why.

Because one is a perennial nearly man who has found his level and comfort zone at Spurs and the other is playing in the Championship and has had no solid bids for him from a Premiership club, let alone a Champions League club since he was relegated.

[Stuttgart88]

Do you think that either player couldn't impress at CL group level or further if given the opportunity?

[antrimgreen]

Because one is a perennial nearly man who has found his level and comfort zone at Spurs and the other is playing in the Championship and has had no solid bids for him from a Premiership club, let alone a Champions League club since he was relegated.

Honestly weldoninhio you are not an Irish fan so why are you on this forum spouting your bull****e. Comfort zone at spurs did you see him play along side Berbatov last season you *****, Robbie Keane is excellent and time and time again he rescues us, so **** off.

[Scram]

Honestly weldoninhio you are not an Irish fan so why are you on this forum spouting your bull****e. Comfort zone at spurs did you see him play along side Berbatov last season you *****, Robbie Keane is excellent and time and time again he rescues us, so **** off.

Why bother replying to him?!

[The Bunk]

Of course Robbie Keane is CL standard! I do think weldoninhio is talking horse ***** although I'm not 100% sure about Doyle being CL standard, he could easily play for a mid-table premier league club - maybe on a squad some day for a top club - especially after his promising first PL season. But if he was playing in the knockout stages of the CL I feel he would be ever so slightly out of his depth IMO.

[weldoninhio]

Honestly weldoninhio you are not an Irish fan so why are you on this forum spouting your bull****e. Comfort zone at spurs did you see him play along side Berbatov last season you *****, Robbie Keane is excellent and time and time again he rescues us, so **** off.


Yeah, they finished 11th, 10 points from relegation. And just because he rescues us time and time again does not prove he is Champions League quality.

[livehead1]

Yeah, they finished 11th, 10 points from relegation. And just because he rescues us time and time again does not prove he is Champions League quality.

What do you class as a player with 'Champions League quality'?

Perhaps you define it as a player who has played in the Champions League. Therefore is Colin Kazim-Richards a player with Champions League quality?

Or maybe it's a player who has won the Champions League. If this is the case then David May is a player who had the requisite 'Champions League quality' to fulfil your requirements.

Or maybe it is a player who has constantly shone and looked a class above others on the pitch time and time again in Champions League games. These players may be counted on the fingers of one hand. As such it would be ridiculous to label these as the only player's with 'Champions League quality', as they are clearly far better than their fellow footballers and may be tagged as anomolies to the general rule that a player with 'Champions League quality' is one who has the ability to perform at the highest level on a reasonably consistant basis. An ability that Robbie Keane certainly has.

[Stuttgart88]

What were Robbie's CL stats this year?

I know he scored at least once (Atletico) and put in one MOTM performance against PSV. Didn't watch many other Liverpool games though.

[sligofan4ever]

What were Robbie's CL stats this year?

I know he scored at least once (Atletico) and put in one MOTM performance against PSV. Didn't watch many other Liverpool games though.

He scored his first Liverpool goal against PSV in October and as you said, also scored against Athletico.

[Stuttgart88]

So, 2 goals and a MOTM performance. Doesn't sound like he's up to playing in the CL to me.

[tetsujin1979]

What were Robbie's CL stats this year?
From UEFA.com's Champions League Fantasy Football: http://en.uclfantasy.uefa.com/M/stats.mc?element_filter=te_19&stat_filter=&price_filter=&view=

Date Matchday Opposition Result Minutes Goals Assists Yellow Red
Played
16/09/09 1 MAR(A) 2-1 4 0 0 0 0
01/10/09 2 PSV(H) 3-1 76 1 0 0 0
22/10/09 3 ATL(A) 1-1 53 1 0 0 0
04/11/09 4 ATL(H) 1-1 71 0 0 0 0
26/11/09 5 MAR(H) 1-0 0 0 0 0 0
09/12/09 6 PSV(A) 3-1 90 0 1 0 0
Total 294 2 1 0 0

[weldoninhio]

So, 2 goals and a MOTM performance. Doesn't sound like he's up to playing in the CL to me.

So thats a goal and a MOTM performance against the 5th placed team in a poor Dutch league and another against a team who have conceded 43 goals in 28 league matchs.

By your arguement Juan Culio of FC Cluj is CL quality, since he got 2 against Roma. Or Jeppe Curth who scored against Villareal and Manchester United for Aalborg.

By the by, if he was Champions League quality why did Benitez, who has won the thing before, let him go back to Spurs with Liverpool still challenging??

[boovidge]

We've got a midfield of two championship players and two guys who deserve to be in the championship against the greatest playmaker in the game, one of the top 5 box to box midfielders in the world and a pair of world class attacking wing backs.

We don't have a prayer. Very few teams would.

You're actually Dunphy arent you? :D

[weldoninhio]

You're actually Dunphy arent you? :D

Bill, Bill, Bill Would you let him drive the train to Cork?? Would ya?? :)

[livehead1]

Weldoninhio, You're a F*cking muppet!

[weldoninhio]

Weldoninhio, You're a F*cking muppet!

Are you on the Trinity College debate team???

[Stuttgart88]

My subjective opinion that both Keane and Doyle are very good quality players stands. I think neither would look out of place against some of Europe's better club teams, like neither does playing against good international teams.

I'm not basing any argument soley on Keane's stats but they back up most people's opinion that he's a quality player, who, in case you hadn't heard, actually did score against Italy last week.

[Scram]

Bill, Bill, Bill Would you let him drive the train to Cork?? Would ya?? :)

Brilliant :rolleyes:

[livehead1]

Are you on the Trinity College debate team???

If you view my previous post's you will notice that I asked you the question as to what satisfies your curious requirement for 'Champions League quality' yet you saw fit to ignore it so try not to make sarcastic comments as to an alleged inability to debate when you have ignored the opportunity to debate in the first instance.

[weldoninhio]

If you view my previous post's you will notice that I asked you the question as to what satisfies your curious requirement for 'Champions League quality' yet you saw fit to ignore it so try not to make sarcastic comments as to an alleged inability to debate when you have ignored the opportunity to debate in the first instance.

My criteria for a champions league quality player is someone who plays consistently in a team which qualifies for the CL consistently. I would probably rate Robbie Keane as Europa League quality