Euro 2012 Qualifying Group B - General Discussion

[Wolfie]

How many points do you think we'll get over the two games?

Optmistic hat on = 4

Realist = 2.

If I was smoking crack = 6.

I'll get back to you on that one, I may have resorted to smoking crack by Saturday to block out the horror of McShane getting repeatedly skinned by Russian wingers.

[pineapple stu]

I think 1 or 3 is more realistic than 2, to be honest. Going unbeaten would be an excellent feat.

[paul_oshea]

I'll get back to you on that one, I may have resorted to smoking crack by Saturday to block out the horror of McShane getting repeatedly skinned by Russian wingers.

you will definitely be on crack if you think that mcshane has any chance of playing against Russia on Saturday.

[Wolfie]

you will definitely be on crack if you think that mcshane has any chance of playing against Russia on Saturday.

I hope you're right, Paul. I don't think he's as far away from starting as some might think!!!

[paul_oshea]

Woflie think again about what you said and what i said.....

[Wolfie]

Woflie think again about what you said and what i said.....

Now I get ye - while nobody will believe me, I genuinely know the match is on Friday.

I meant I'd hit the crack on Saturday having viewed the match the previous night.

You'll just have to trust me on this one.

[paul_oshea]

well technically you could be right as you did write it in a way that is open to interpretation wolfie!!!

[geysir]

In case you needed some objective input - I understood Wolfie's reply for what it was, just as he intended - although I don't share the sentiment :)

[Stuttgart88]

!!!A girl has got hold of Paul's login details

[Scooby Doo]

Pavlychenko apparently out for Russia.

Even so, their attacking options seem frightening. I am very worried about this game. Duff's injury has been a major blow. I'm still holding out a shred of hope for Trap's 10% estimation of probability that he would be fit and that he might make a 'miraculous' recovery on Thursday or over the weekend. Clutching at straws though, I know.
I'm having sleepless nights thinking about the midfield and fullback situation. This really is gonna be a seriously tough game on Friday. A win would be undoubtedly Trap's greatest result with us and would have to rank alongside some of the greatest Irish wins. Supporting the Irish team is a scary business these days!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/oct/05/russia-roman-pavlyuchenko-tottenham-injury

[geysir]

Considering Slovakia beat Russia away, I think we will have to break the mould of stalemates (chronic draw syndrome) and get 4 points from the next 2 games. A draw against Russia and beat Slovakia, would do grand. Then Russia would have a bit of hope to cling to and Slovakia won't miss the 3 points so much after their bonus in Moscow.

[elroy]

Its only right and proper we do enough to qualify ourselves - that said, Armenia on Friday and Macedonia on Tuesday could do us a huge favour on each night!!!!

I think the Armenia V Slovakia is the most interesting one. As in, we have played there and won. So any slip up by Slovakia would be advantage us on a head to head. Particularly as Slovakia are likely to have the advantage over us in relation to the Russia away fixture.


Considering Slovakia beat Russia away, I think we will have to break the mould of stalemates (chronic draw syndrome) and get 4 points from the next 2 games. A draw against Russia and beat Slovakia, would do grand. Then Russia would have a bit of hope to cling to and Slovakia won't miss the 3 points so much after their bonus in Moscow.

Agreed, I think we need to be aiming to win this one on Friday night.

[paul_oshea]

How can you say agreed, and then contradict what geysir says, by saying we need to win on friday night? he clearly said a draw against russia is what he is hoping for.

[geysir]

I did not say that you Ros piece of ****** :)
I said one draw and one win would do fine - but we need a win - 2 draws are not good enough to top the group.
If 4 points is destined then I have a preference as to who to take the 3 points off.

My (unexpressed) hope is for 2 wins.


Also people can disagree with me and yet at the same time think they agree with me - I´m okay with that.

[tetsujin1979]

I did not say that you Ros piece of ****** :)
What swear word is 6 characters long and completes the expression "piece of..." ?

[paul_oshea]

I did not say that you Ros piece of ****** :)
I said one draw and one win would do fine - but we need a win - 2 draws are not good enough to top the group.
If 4 points is destined then I have a preference as to who to take the 3 points off.

My (unexpressed) hope is for 2 wins.


Also people can disagree with me and yet at the same time think they agree with me - I´m okay with that.


In your post i see no mention of a win against russia, this is all I see: "draw against Russia and beat Slovakia, would do grand. "

tets i was wondering the same. I dont think there was an actual one, just an inference in a bantery/slagging kind of way.

[Brendan 82]

I think a win against Russia and a draw away to Slovakia would be a better way for to get four points. The win against Russia would really set them back and hopefully send them into enough turmoil so that they end up dropping further points in the group. In that case they would effectively be gone and we could battle it out with Slovakia for the first spot. A draw away to them in that case would be a good result (especially if Armenia can do us a favor)

[geysir]

What swear word is 6 characters long and completes the expression "piece of..." ?
It may well be the unanswerable question.
I did not type out a swear word and my knowledge is very limited in these matters.

[geysir]

In your post i see no mention of a win against slovakia, this is all I see: "draw against Russia and beat Slovakia, would do grand. "

So enlighten me .............. in your mind - what is the difference between 'a win against slovakia' and 'beat slovakia'?

[paul_oshea]

So enlighten me .............. in your mind - what is the difference between 'a win against slovakia' and 'beat slovakia'?

Sorry I meant to say a win against russia...;)

[Stuttgart88]

Isn't it implicit that if Geysir would take a draw with Russia, he'd also be happy if we won? Or is it a draw or nothing?

Regardless of who the win is against I'd prefer we won on Friday than on Tuesday, just for my state of mind. It'd make the next few days more relaxing.

If we were to get 4 points (good outcome either way) it's "tactically" better to beat Slovakia. They're the ones who need pegging back at this early stage. And a credible away win, like Northern Ireland's in Slovenia, would be a delight.

[rebelmusic]

On a side-note - 40-1 for Dunney to get the first goal. Worth a couple of quid i'd say, he's due one

[Closed Account]

On a side-note - 40-1 for Dunney to get the first goal. Worth a couple of quid i'd say, he's due one
I got stung with that last time against Armenia and he never even left the Irish half. Didn't go up for corners or free kicks because of the injury he's carrying. Sledge is a better bet.

[geysir]

I thought Sledge was great bet scoring anytime against Andorra but he hardly went forward for the set pieces.
Fortunatly I don't gamble, I'd be well ruined by now.

[mypost]

Fixtures for Friday 8th and Tuesday 12th Oct:

08/10/2010 Armenia - Slovakia
08/10/2010 Andorra - FYR Macedonia
08/10/2010 Republic of Ireland - Russia

12/10/2010 Armenia - Andorra
12/10/2010 Slovakia - Republic of Ireland
12/10/2010 FYR Macedonia - Russia

If the Russians take a point tomorrow night, they'll be in a great position in the group, with 4 of their last 6 games at home next year, including the last one against Andorra.

We have to hope Slovakia drop something in these two games, as their next two are against Andorra, so it'll be September next year before they're tested again when they come here. Don't want them out of sight or anything.

[Charlie Darwin]

Pat Fenlon puts it remarkably succinctly:


The challenge is to finally overcome teams that are perceived to be better than us. Russia in Dublin provides that opportunity. If we don’t beat them and Slovakia at home we cannot realistically expect to beat either side on the road. Therefore, we cannot expect to qualify.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1008/1224280633172.html

[Noelys Guitar]

The other match in Armenia will also be very interesting. Lets hope as we beat Russia, Armenia get something off of Slovakia. That match kicks off at 3pm GMT.

[mypost]

KO is at 15:00 GMT, or 4pm Irish time.

Think Slovakia will win, but maybe the home side can nick a point from it.

[AlaskaFox]

Hoping for a 2-2 draw in the other one. If it's 1-1, I can see Slovakia getting a winner, so hopefully Armenia can score twice.

[shakermaker1982]

Armenia 1 nil up! Lovely breakaway goal. Nice finish (through keepers legs)

[shakermaker1982]

Nearly 2 nil! Brilliant free kick just tipped over.

[fionnsci]

This is excellent stuff from armenia, three great chances. Let's hope they hold out.

[zero]

all armenia for the first half hour.

it's on here:

http://www.tsportv.info/

a second before half time would be aces.

[abcd]

Anyone have a link? A result here would provide us with an even bigger opportunity tonight.

[TheBoss]

Its on Setanta and betting websites, like paddypower etc.

[holidaysong]

It's on Setanta too.

[geysir]

When the Armenian right winger is on the ball, it's an attacking strategy. When playing against Ireland, it was interpreted as targetting Kilbane:rolleyes:

Skirtel picks up an early yellow card.

[Charlie Darwin]

Very well-taken goal from Weiss but a real kick in the teeth after the way they've played. Armenia clearly a much better side than people have given them credit for.

[geysir]

Slovakia who haven't got a Killer, have to use 3 defenders to shore up their left side.

[Noelys Guitar]

1-1 now. Just switched on as well! Come on Armenia. A draw here would be excellent. Armenia will keep attacking as they did against Macedonia so they will probably have to score again to get at least a draw as they leave themselves open at the back. Christ. If that ball had have been played just a little further away from the keeper it would have been 2-1. You would have to fancy Armenia getting a peno with the way they run at the Slovakia defense. Hopefully one in the second half

[TrapAPony]

Skirtel picks up an early yellow card.

Is that him out against us? He got a yellow before this game.

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro2012/matches/season=2012/round=15171/match=2002224/index.html

[graham_d]

Skirtel picks up an early yellow card.
He was also booked against Macedonia, according to uefa.com - does he miss the next game??

TAP beat me to it - he's definitely got 2 yellows, anyway.

[geysir]

Hopefully as the game goes on - the Slovaks will feel a draw is a good result for them.
I would concur with that.

[Charlie Darwin]

Is that him out against us? He got a yellow before this game.
The commentator muttered something about it being his first, but that's excellent news if he's already been booked.

[geysir]

The Armenian politburo are on their feet again.

[shakermaker1982]

2-1 Armenia!!!

[fionnsci]

2-1, get in!

[PartySaint]

2-1 Armenia

[Noelys Guitar]

woooooooooooooohooooooooooooooo..Come on you Reds!

[shakermaker1982]

Slovakia look dodgy at the back. Fifa 2011 style through balls does them every time.