It's France

[MeathDrog]

No hassle.

France have a bunch of poncers in their team. If we can get a 1-1 draw in Bari then we can get one in Paris too. We've every chance after that.

[seanfhear]

No hassle.

France have a bunch of poncers in their team. If we can get a 1-1 draw in Bari then we can get one in Paris too. We've every chance after that.
If we get a 1-1 draw in Paris what has happened previous to that will have been important:D

[MeathDrog]

If we get a 1-1 draw in Paris what has happened previous to that will have been important:D
Aye that's what I meant, just worded myself wrong.

[shakermaker1982]

regarding complaints about the seeding of the draw...

Emerging unvanquished from their qualifying group was a laudable achievement but winning four matches – all against Georgia and Cyprus – out of 10 should not be enough to reach football's elite tournament, particularly for a European country, given that the continent is already over-represented.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/oct/19/world-cup-qualifiers-republic-of-ireland

I'm amazed Paul Doyle has found the time to write about something that isn't about the English football team.

[The Legend]

I'm amazed Paul Doyle has found the time to write about something that isn't about the English football team.

So what, isn't he writing for an english newspaper?

[briancool21]

Is ribery not injured aswell no? or was that just a small knock. Anyway i don't know why everyone is saying 0-0 at home i think we could nick it 1-0 and go over there and go for an early goal. We've scored early in most of our games like bar the away game in italy. I think also forget about the 2 reids and finnan he's not gonig to change the team now, plus duff should in on mcgeadys side and leave lawrence there, I'd also shove o' shea out to left back and leave ledger and dunne in the middle but that's just me

[Brian Boru]

Was chatting to a French lad in work a couple weeks ago and was saying to him we'd get France, be at home for the 1st leg and go through on away goals. 0-0 in Croke Park and 1-1 in Paris. Got the 1st 2 right, fingers crossed I'm right about the result;)

I agree. It's the most likely scenario. Trapp will play for nil all in Dublin. The French will go along with it. They will assume they'll beat us in Paris. 1-1 very possible in Paris. They're not the team that beat us in Landsdowne a few years ago. This is where Trappatoni's organization and tactics will come to fruition. As an earlier poster remarked we're greater than the sum if our parts.

[shakermaker1982]

It's going to be tough but I still think we can scrape through. A clean sheet at home is a must. Croke Park needs to be turned into a cauldron of noise and the atmosphere we managed to create for the first 89 minutes against Italy needs to go up another couple of notches.

France have some excellent players but we shouldn't fear them. If their tails are up then they could give us a footballing lesson so the key is to be aggressive and dominant from the start. We aren't going to get through by playing beautiful football. Set pieces, a strong defence and every player playing out of his skin for 180 minutes is required. If France are on the back foot and under pressure then William Gallas might have another hissy fit!

Evra and Sagna are two top class full backs and I doubt McGeady/Hunt/Duff or Lawrence would be able to get much change from them but Evra can be vulnerable in the air and consequently I'd expect us to start with Lawrence on the right hand side.

Having Stephen Reid and Finnan back would be a big boost and I hope they make the squad.

All being well I'd hope to see the following line up:

Given

Finnan Dunne St Ledger O'Shea

Lawrence Whelan S Reid Duff

Keane Doyle

Bring on Best and Folan with 20 minutes to go and then just pump long balls!!!

[shakermaker1982]

So what, isn't he writing for an english newspaper?

Doyle's articles mainly focus on:

England & Capello: A partnership made in heaven.

Isn't Stevie G brilliant.

John Terry is a warrior.

England will win the World Cup

Liverpool will win the League.

5 themes repeated 365 days a year. Hence my surprise that he actually broke away from this template.

[briancool21]

I'd start Folan or Best before Doyle and try and get an early goal i don't see the point of bringing them on when we're chasing the game

[theworm2345]

My memory is a bit fuzzy, but didn't Andy Reid hit the post from a free kick against France in Dublin?

[tricky_colour]

If Austria can beat them 3-1 I don't see why we can't.

[jebus]

why is everyone so pessimistic about France?

Benzema has been poor this year and pretty much has admitted he doesn't like playing for France
Henry won't be back to full fitness in time
Ribery can be handled, very good player but one who does it more at club level than international by all accounts (I admit I don't watch the Bundesliga, but I know people who do so I'll go with their opinion)
Domenech has lost the team and isn't that great a manager when things go wrong anyway
I'd actually rather us be at home first given the way we play and how nervous we get holding a lead. A 0-0 in Dublin (which France would probably take) followed by us scoring from a set piece in Paris and we're in business

Also playing France is a damn sight better than travelling to Moscow against a Russian team that looked very good in qualifying, it's also better than playing a Portugal team that has come into form at the right time, and I also personally think we have a better chance against France than against a strong enough Greek side that we would find hard to break down

[Razors left peg]

I wonder with Finnans return to fitness will Trap play OShea in midfield in the first leg with the aims of keeping things really tight. Wouldnt be ideal, but I could see it happening

[newrynyuk]

when will the tickets go on sale.

waht was that french website again.

jees i even had the father ringing me there about tickets for paris.....


If you can't get tickets from the FAI, they'll be available from

http://www.francebillet.com/

English language option is available on the site. Tickets not on sale there yet though.

We had the Sud Tribune (South Stand) last time and will probably get the same again so try for tickets near there. But don't worry if you sit elsewhere, there'll be no bother with the French fans.

[irishultra]

ah was always going to be. definetly going, anyone want to stay with me in my cousins gaff in paris :D

anyone going over from rosslare?

[MeathDrog]

why is everyone so pessimistic about France?

Benzema has been poor this year and pretty much has admitted he doesn't like playing for France
Henry won't be back to full fitness in time
Ribery can be handled, very good player but one who does it more at club level than international by all accounts (I admit I don't watch the Bundesliga, but I know people who do so I'll go with their opinion)
Domenech has lost the team and isn't that great a manager when things go wrong anyway
I'd actually rather us be at home first given the way we play and how nervous we get holding a lead. A 0-0 in Dublin (which France would probably take) followed by us scoring from a set piece in Paris and we're in business

Also playing France is a damn sight better than travelling to Moscow against a Russian team that looked very good in qualifying, it's also better than playing a Portugal team that has come into form at the right time, and I also personally think we have a better chance against France than against a strong enough Greek side that we would find hard to break down
Agreed 100%. Top post.


Was dreading the draw, but ever since it has been made, I'm full of optimism. Forget about admiring and scarmongering about their players. Lets get stuck into them and really see what they're made of.

[Wexford Delboy]

I wonder with Finnans return to fitness will Trap play OShea in midfield in the first leg with the aims of keeping things really tight. Wouldnt be ideal, but I could see it happening
if he was goin to bring finnan back id rather he moved o shea to LB instead of dodgy kilbane

[DeNiro]

Lads does Ribery play on the left or right? Anytime I've seen him he's been on the right. I would prefer Finnan on him than O'Shea. Kilbane no way. He got scorched with that Bulgarian guy in the away game last June.

[irishfan86]

I think O'Shea needs to go up against Ribery, and Finnan slot in on the right.

I fear that Trap rates Kilbane though, and that he will retain his starting spot.

[Wexford Delboy]

kilbane will be our downfall hes our weak link in an otherwise solid enough back 5

[irishultra]

My memory is a bit fuzzy, but didn't Andy Reid hit the post from a free kick against France in Dublin?

You are right. Outside of post i think

[geysir]

I thought I saw Ribery on the left for Bayern in the CL this season.
That might mess up an advance containment plan.

Best just focus on that dodgy ankle of his.

[craig7042]

Also playing France is a damn sight better than travelling to Moscow against a Russian team that looked very good in qualifying, it's also better than playing a Portugal team that has come into form at the right time, and I also personally think we have a better chance against France than against a strong enough Greek side that we would find hard to break down[/QUOTE]


Yes, absolutely...no doubt in my mind - this was my first choice. we'll never take them for granted, but might just enjoy rising to this one. Greece could have been a right pain to play...

[tetsujin1979]

My memory is a bit fuzzy, but didn't Andy Reid hit the post from a free kick against France in Dublin?

yeah, it was at the Havelock end, came off the post

[Zizou]

Ireland 0-0 France

France 1-1 Ireland

[Leeside Swagger]

EMMET MALONE
GIVEN THAT his diplomatic efforts in the past have prompted some the country’s leading players to hang up their boots early – and there appears always to be at least one feud with a major star in progress – it should not come as any great surprise that France manager Raymond Domenech yesterday described Ireland as the “England B team” after hearing who he and his side must overcome if they are to make it to another World Cup finals tournament.
Speaking on RTL radio, in no small part because his relationship with large sections of the rest of the French media is so difficult these days, the 52-year-old went on to welcome the outcome of the draw, insisting the knowledge he and his players possess of next month’s opponents would more than compensate for having to face the second-highest-ranked of the non-seeded sides.
“We know what we have to do and that is the important thing,” said the former Lyon, PSG and Bordeaux player, who was also in charge when France came to Dublin four years ago and won thanks to second-half strike by Thierry Henry.
“Whatever the opposition I would be saying the same thing: that our only objective is to qualify. As it is, it is the Republic of Ireland and so now we must do it by beating them.
“But the best thing is that we know all their players because they play in the Premier League. Some of my players know them very well. There won’t be any surprises. We know precisely what to expect.”
Domenech acknowledged that Ireland have emerged unbeaten from a group that included the world champions, but he did not sound overawed by the achievement.
“They are very solid, very physical, but we also have these qualities. They are the England Bs.”
The remark might come back to haunt him.
But it is hard to imagine he would have any future in the job anyway should his side lose to Ireland over two legs and fail to qualify for next summer’s tournament finals in South Africa.
His grip on the manager’s job looked just as precarious when he brought the French to Lansdowne Road in September 2005, however, with the qualification group still extremely tight ahead of the game against Ireland.
The three points secured by the French that night provided the impetus for qualification, and while a great many of the country’s football media then presumed that a poor showing in Germany would force his departure, the team, driven on by a resurgent Zinedine Zidane, went all the way to the final in Berlin where they came within a whisker of regaining the title by beating Italy.
Since then there has been the rather dismal failure of the European Championships. The team qualified despite losing at home to both Ukraine and, more ominously, Scotland, but it was in Switzerland that things really came off the rails.
A goalless draw with Romania was followed by tame defeats by Italy and the Netherlands.
For many, Domenech had played a key part in the team’s failure with questionable selections and his poor relationship with key members of the squad seen as having undermined the chances of a group that was already in decline.
For a while his future hung in the balance. In the end, however, the federation opted to stick with him for another campaign.
His employers are unlikely to worry too much about who they might turn to in the event that Ireland come out on top next month, but Domenech, they know, has surprised his critics before and few in France would bet heavily against him doing it again.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/1020/1224257057245.html

[irishfan86]

What an idiot. If a team talk was ever needed, I don't think it will be now. Why give your opponents more motivation?

[Stuttgart88]

I'm absolutely pumped for this.

I've booked for Paris but not going to Dublin, which is a big gamble.

I think France are beatable though they're obviously favourites.

France are not a united squad, the manager has little authority, their results have been unimpressive and they unconvincing keeper and central defence. Arguably France is the most vulnerable to Trap's tactics of frustrating the opposition in possession and us being a threat from set pieces. That's the "glass half full" outlook anyway.

[BigmanCas]

we will take them over two legs - no doubt about it, providing we stay injury free..

[Stuttgart88]

Trap should hang a banner in our dressing room "England B Team". That'll make sure the lads are fired up.

[endabob1]

Team talk sorted, blow up that article and pin it to the dressing room door "England B"....

Reminds me of Jake Whites comments that none of the Ireland team would get in the Springbok side the day before we beat them in 2004

[blobbyblob]

I'm absolutely pumped for this.

I've booked for Paris but not going to Dublin, which is a big gamble.

I think France are beatable though they're obviously favourites.

France are not a united squad, the manager has little authority, their results have been unimpressive and they unconvincing keeper and central defence. Arguably France is the most vulnerable to Trap's tactics of frustrating the opposition in possession and us being a threat from set pieces. That's the "glass half full" outlook anyway.

If we keep Croke park score tight we will through the kitchen sink at them in Paris. This one is ours for the taking and say what you like and play it down if you must - You dont take Italy to within 1 minute of their first lost in two years with a bunch of Sunday league hackers.

[paul_oshea]

mAKE SURE they get a french translation as well.

Maybe we could call the french team the african A team. Or would that be deemed a bit of a faux pas?!

[SuperDave]

Trap should hang a banner in our dressing room "England B Team". That'll make sure the lads are fired up.

Methinks they'll be pretty pumped up already. This is the last chance for a world cup appearance for Dunne, Duff, Kilbane, Keane and Given (probably).

[Polster]

Team talk sorted, blow up that article and pin it to the dressing room door "England B"....

Reminds me of Jake Whites comments that none of the Ireland team would get in the Springbok side the day before we beat them in 2006

Given - Lifford
O Shea - Ferrybank
Dunne - Tallaght
Ledger - Grandfather from Carlow
Kilbane - Both parents from Ireland
Duffer - Dublin
Andrews - Dublin
Whelan - Dublin
Hunt - Carrick on Suir
Doyle - Adamstown
Keane - Tallaght

So from our last starting line up, only two weren't born in Ireland, and Kilbanes whole family are Irish, and wont meet as proud an irish man as Kilbane. So only Ledger was in by the grandparent rule.

Its an old storey that does not stand up anymore. I never had a problem with it in the past, but it shows the ignorance of foreigners that they feel they need to throw it our way as some effort of an insult.

In the opposite way, a lot of the French players family back grounds are African or further a field. Look at some of their 1998 world cup winning team.....

Zidane, hailing from Algeria
Vierra born in Senegal
Desailly born in Ghana
Makelele born in Zaire
Thuram born in Gualeluope (west indies region)
Djorkaeff - born in france, Polish father, Armenian mother
Karembeu - New Caledonia - Southwest Pacific
(few other lesser known players to)

Raymond Domenech - From Spanish and Catalan descent...

[geysir]

Given - Lifford

Its an old storey that does not stand up anymore. I never had a problem with it in the past, but it shows the ignorance of foreigners that they feel they need to throw it our way as some effort of an insult.


Raymond Domenech - From Spanish and Catalan descent...

Domenech is referring to the style and quality of the players, not their birthplace.
I doubt he gives a fiddlers where the players are born.

[paul_oshea]

Yes I read it that way too geysir, he is referring to the fact all our players play in England but wouldn't be good enough to play in the English team.

[Polster]

Yes I read it that way too geysir, he is referring to the fact all our players play in England but wouldn't be good enough to play in the English team.


Granted, I didn't read it, but it still makes no sense, we have a superior record against england over the last 21 years, but why compare teams like that, we're Irish, not English. If our players were English, not very many would even make an English B team. If my uncle were my auntie....

[Brigader]

Anybody's thoughts on Domenech's recent opinion on callin the Irish squad an England B team? :confused:

[Leeside Swagger]

See the "Its France" thread.

[backstothewall]

If England are to go through I think its essential they get a clean sheet in Dublin, which in my opinion makes McGeady a luxury for this leg. I think they also have to take a chance and throw Finnan and Reid straight back in to the mix, moving O'Shea to the left full slot.

My team would be

------------Given-------------
Finnan St. Ledger Dunne O'Shea
Lawrence Reid Whelan Duff
----------Keane Doyle---------

McGeady
Westwood
Kilbane
Hunt
Best
Andrews
O'Dea

[centre mid]

Domenech has an awful record when it comes to playing teams with Italian managers (ok Italy), 2-0 to Trap in the psych war.

[centre mid]

Domenech really is some dope.

[EalingGreen]

Domenech has an awful record when it comes to playing teams with Italian managers (ok Italy), 2-0 to Trap in the psych war.
Oh I don't know. Fabio Capello might disagree. You know, the guy who manages, ahem, England 'A':

http://www.thefa.com/England/MensSeniorTeam/Archive.aspx?x=862

;)

[alltogethernow]

Fcuk that, no way, we def need an evening kick off ie like the Italian game. All that will be needed it to change the posts, repaint the pitch and put up advertising hoardings etc. Im sure they'll manage that in the time between the two games.


Easier said than done especially if the locals kick up a fuss. What is the capacity for the rugby? Are they selling the Hill as standing or seating?

[Reality Bites]

If England are to go through I think its essential they get a clean sheet in Dublin, which in my opinion makes McGeady a luxury for this leg. I think they also have to take a chance and throw Finnan and Reid straight back in to the mix, moving O'Shea to the left full slot.

My team would be

------------Given-------------
Finnan St. Ledger Dunne O'Shea
Lawrence Reid Whelan Duff
----------Keane Doyle---------

McGeady
Westwood
Kilbane
Hunt
Best
Andrews
O'Dea

Right Team, wonder will S Reid be available

[blobbyblob]

"If they(the french people) remember our last confrontation at the stage of France in October, 2004, there was the presence of 30.000 Irish in the stadium. Already if we could avoid that, it would be a first win. I make an appeal to those who support the Team of France to rally quickly and credit of bleachers in blue, white, red. It will be necessary to be competitive on both matches until last second. "

http://www.fff.fr/bleus/actu/530946.shtml

[Infadel]

Hopefully Caleb Folan will be in the squad because Domenech apparently has a fear of Scorpios.

[Noelys Guitar]

We should turn up in our droves with Tarot cards, milky ways, dolls with pins in them and inflatible planetary globes.