Cyprus V Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 5th September 2009 - World Cup 2010 Q

[Razors left peg]

Ive seen worse ideas on here:)

[Hibernian]

i agree and i also think we need to introduce volleyball players into the games to give the keepers the blocking signals....

http://www.strength-and-power-for-volleyball.com/images/volleyball-blocking-signals.jpg

just a thought


I dont give a dam how bad we play once we win

hey she can play for us and all, hell if the she scores from her arse even better im sure we be having replays of that goal for while

[Crosby87]

Does Cyprus have any noteworthy players?

[tetsujin1979]

Okkas the winger, and some of the squad are going to be playing in the Champions League with APOEL this season

[SuperDave]

i predict a shortage of toilet roll, nationwide, before and during this match

with a mass shortage of off licence stock following our 1-0 win, courtesy of an undeserved, lucky late winner.

[shakermaker1982]

1 nil Ireland. 3 points is all that matters at this stage.

[gwhite]

2 or 3 nil to Ireland. Give a goal to Cyprus if Kilbane's playing. Cyprus are good going forward but shaky at the back so we must attack. It's the best form of defence apparently.

[mark12345]

Looking at Apoel the other night, and with Cyprus having the nucleus of that team, it's not going to be even close to easy. Some of these predictions are just out the window in terms of reality.

All I know is that Folan has to play or our chances of success are cut in half. Folan and Doyle up front with Robbie feeding them from the middle. Everything should fall into place after that - Duff and Hunt or McGeady on the wings (would have Hunt at left back instead of Kilbane).

[SUB of the day]

I think we will definitely concede, but also score, I'm going for 2 2.

[tricky_colour]

i agree and i also think we need to introduce volleyball players into the games to give the keepers the blocking signals....

http://www.strength-and-power-for-volleyball.com/images/volleyball-blocking-signals.jpg

just a thought

I used to think they were hand signals to the server when actually they are to tell you where to look.

[Scram]

Predict the weather to be between 21c and 33c and sunny!

Hopefully it's below 25 or so and not humid. Was out there 2 years ago for game on 9 October and weather wasn't really a factor.

http://www.cyprus-weather.com/

[geysir]

Night time kick off, temperature should be just perfect, in the low 20's

[shep]

Cyprus 0-2 Rep of Ireland(Dunne 16,Keane 29)

[ifk101]

Can't see us scoring more than one goal - hopefully that'll be enough for the win.

[Scram]

Night time kick off, temperature should be just perfect, in the low 20's Do you know that to be right for this time of year i.e. for this week, because sometimes it can stay pretty hot regardless.

[Stuttgart88]

Am I right in thinking that last time we played Cyprus we had just been beaten 4-0 at home and they had just lost 6-1 away?

This time we have just been beaten 3-0 at home and they have just lost 6-0 or 6-1.

[geysir]

Sounds ominous.
Can we not just settle for a normal state of panic but some level of underlying confidence based on competitive away game form and current player match fitness?

[Stuttgart88]

I'm both confident and panic-stricken. Is that ok?

[geysir]

As long as they are normal.

[Scram]

I'm both confident and panic-stricken. Is that ok?


OK, Except for the confident part.

But for Jayz sake, looking at our squad, surely we should, at this stage of the play-offs, be able to say, good manager, good system, strong Premiership players, we should win handy enough...the fact that we can't doesn't say much for Trap's reign so far.

[shakermaker1982]

I've been looking through all the other groups and we have no margin for error here or the Montenegro game at home in October. All I'm asking for is a 3 goal cushion around the 80 minute mark.......back in the real world I'm still picking a scrappy 1 nil win but I hope the Trap has them watching videos of the Oz game all week. The full backs must go and meet the man who is trying to cross the ball. Cyprus will target Kilbane's side so I imagine Hunt has a good chance of starting becausew of his work rate and willingness to track back.

[Noelys Guitar]

Our away from has been better than our home form in this campaign and so I expect us to win a very difficult match. McGeady has been playing really well for Celtic and can give us the edge in a game of very few chances. I expect us to suffocate them this time by denying them the ball. Treat them with the respect they deserve. Then beat them. 1 or 2 nil will do nicely. Plus the form of Hunt for both new club and country has been excellent recently. He is creating real goal chances for others. Great to have on the bench if he does not start.

[geysir]

Cyprus could well be like the Irish cricket team, target a few opponents for a victory and we could be their Bangladesh.

[Stuttgart88]

OK, Except for the confident part.

surely we should be able to say... we should win handy enough...the fact that we can't doesn't say much for Trap's reign so far.In my case it's more down to the fact that we have been appalling in the last 3 times we played Cyprus before Trap joined.

The 1-0 win at Croker wasn't pretty, but it could have been 3-1 just as easily as 1-1.

[Jicked]

I'll go for a very similar result/performance to Georgia in Mainz. Us to score one in either half, never dominate and impose ourselves completely on them, and maybe let them back in to it for a nervy last few minutes but to stand up well to that potentially nervy ending as we've done in almost every qualifier so far this campaign.

[MeathDrog]

0-1 with Andrews being the scorer.

It's not going to be pretty.

[mjpcc]

I'm going to get plenty of drink in to celebrate the victory or help me to wallow in self pity if the shi.....t hits the fans.

An each way bet...........

[geysir]

I was trying to think of the last time I could relax in a game for the last 30 minutes against a top 4 seeded team, knowing the points were in the bag.

I think it was Cyprus in 2001

[Lenny82]

With Foley and SSL out injured who do you think should be drafted in to replace them? It would be a toss up between Bruce and O'Dea to replace SSL but I think Trap would go for Bruce.

I personally would like to see Carr get called up to replace Foley and I would start him at right back and have Dunne/O'Shea as the centre halves.

Kilbane will definitely keep his place and I think he will relish this chance to make up for the Bulgaria Fcuk up's!!

[elroy]

Games like this are where having an experienced manager in charge will reap most benefit. I trust Trap and believe he will get us the result here. We wont win by much, may well be just one nil but I think we will.

Id be more fearful of playing Cyprus at the start of a campaign and secondly the suspension of Makridis and in particular Constantinou is great news from our perspective.

Only concern is Cyprus might want to show their fan a big reaction after their humilation to Albania.

[Noelys Guitar]

With Foley and SSL out injured who do you think should be drafted in to replace them? It would be a toss up between Bruce and O'Dea to replace SSL but I think Trap would go for Bruce.

I personally would like to see Carr get called up to replace Foley and I would start him at right back and have Dunne/O'Shea as the centre halves.

Kilbane will definitely keep his place and I think he will relish this chance to make up for the Bulgaria Fcuk up's!!

I would draft Carr in as well. Not going to happen as he is in retirement and Trap will only pick from those previously selected in his squads. So if SSL is out then it will be Kelly at RB. Carr played well on Saturday apart from that last minute slip up which cost Birmingham the game.

[tetsujin1979]

O'Shea and Dunne to resume their centre half partnership, Bruce on the bench to come on. Kilbane or Nolan at left full, Kelly at right full

[Wolfie]

Set your faces to stunned - I can now exclusively reveal the cause of many of our poor results in qualifiers over the years.

My trips to the pub.

Just check this list of woe and suffering - all down to my watching the game in the oul battle cruiser:

Austria (away), Macedonia (Away - twice),Belgium (Away), Croatia (Away), Swiss (Away), Israel (Away), Spain (World Cup), Turkey (Away).

I'll be watching at home on Saturday.

[DeLorean]

To think we could have won the World Cup if it wasn't for you and your selfish drinking habbits!! Plenty of crap results not on the list that I presume you watched at home, still though seems the safer bet alright.

[shakermaker1982]

I think Wolfie is on to something. I've avoided one particular pub after bad experiences against the Swiss (x2) and Cyprus away last time out. On the plus side one of of the lads who takes 1 of my tickets from by block booking booking has only ever seen Ireland lose once (to Brazil, missed other games on account of various ailments) and rest assured he will be going to see the Italy and Montenegro game!

[Stuttgart88]

Set your faces to stunned - I can now exclusively reveal the cause of many of our poor results in qualifiers over the years.

My trips to the pub.

Just check this list of woe and suffering - all down to my watching the game in the oul battle cruiser:

Austria (away), Macedonia (Away - twice),Belgium (Away), Croatia (Away), Swiss (Away), Israel (Away), Spain (World Cup), Turkey (Away).

I'll be watching at home on Saturday.I have a similar superstition. However, on careful analysis I finally twigged that our poor results were more as a consequence of us being sh1t rather than where I chose to watch.

That said, I returned to the source of one particularly bad run of form to watch the Georgia away game. Since then I have watched any game I haven't been to in the same pub with the same 2 punters - 2 guys I didn't know prior to the game in Mainz - and we're on this good unbeaten run. That's where'll I'll be watching on Sat.

[Wolfie]

I think Wolfie is on to something. I've avoided one particular pub after bad experiences against the Swiss (x2) and Cyprus away last time out. On the plus side one of of the lads who takes 1 of my tickets from by block booking booking has only ever seen Ireland lose once (to Brazil, missed other games on account of various ailments) and rest assured he will be going to see the Italy and Montenegro game!

How could I forget Cyprus away last time. I was in the pub for that one, too.

On the plus side - I've also had a handy knack of getting us a goal by heading to the jacks for a slash.

For example, our equaliser against Belgium in 97 - yep, my trip to the jacks was down to that one.

Israel away - Clinton Morrison's goal I hear you say - nope - that was down to a Wolfie widdle.

[Wolfie]

However, on careful analysis I finally twigged that our poor results were more as a consequence of us being sh1t rather than where I chose to watch.

Now that's the sort of crazy talk that could not only destroy your credibility but get you locked up, Stutts. :)

[paul_oshea]

Stutts what pub is that and I might join you and your 2 punter NBFs

[tetsujin1979]

Stutts what pub is that and I might join you and your 2 punter NBFs
and jinx it?? what are you, nuts?

[Wolfie]

Yes - we've sad too much already. Everybody keep up their usual superstitious behaviour supplemented with round the clock praying, please.

Best not drag this topic any further from its moorings.

Now, what do you make of that whole Stephen Ireland thing?

[geysir]

When all is said and done in regards to the upcoming match, some might argue that a threatened jinx in the making, is highly relevant.

Paul's capacity one day, to find a pub on the other side of London altogether and another day manage to get lost on his way from the pub to the match stadium just around the corner, is sure evidence of a jinxer.

[NeilMcD]

and jinx it?? what are you, nuts?

Best excuse ever for not letting Paul O Shea join you.

[eaststand85]

Ireland to win 2-1 or 3-1 (still not confident we can keep a clean sheet). Thankfully the days of Stan are behind us and the improvement we've made under Trap along with the motivation for revenge and a chance to have a go at Italy for top spot in the group should be enough to pull us through.

Speaking of superstitions I watched the 2006 match in Kilkenny on a stag and also going on a stag this weekend but it's in Killarney so hopefully won't be an issue. Getting nervous already!

[Supreme feet]

Had a dream last night that we won 2-0. Caleb Folan and a Glenn Whelan free-kick. Hmm...

[elroy]

Not to mention the counting down the clock technique......the last game against bulgaria been the perfect example.

Look at the clock, half hour to go, 29 mins to go, 28 mins to go, 27 and so on and so on. I never live every min as much as an Ireland game and of course for 99% of our games, we never comfortable for any of it.
Of course you think the closer you get the full time the more confident you'll get of a result.........but from past experiences (in particular twice in the one week not that long ago) am more of a wreck when we hit the last five mins.

[elroy]

Glenn Whelan free-kick. Hmm...

You could be onto something here, the lad has started the season well for Stoke (missed the first game i know but other than that has done well).

[Stuttgart88]

Stutts what pub is that and I might join you and your 2 punter NBFs
Nah, last agme I watched with you we lost in Czech Rep. 1-0.

That has ruled out Barrett's in Cricklewood forever & you forever. I'm not sure was it the pub, you or both, but I'm not taking any chances.

[geysir]

A nation lets its breath out

[NeilMcD]

Well played Stutts