Estonia V Ireland - Friday, 11th November 2011 - Euro 2012 Play Off 1st Leg

[Stuttgart88]

Are you related to George Hamilton?

[Silly Billy G]

Are you related to George Hamilton?

Oh no danger here

Disasterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[geysir]

That's a mortal sin of a post Billy, violating the unwritten cardinal code of this discussion board.

[jbyrne]

Elimination to Estonia, in my mind, would have to mean a search for a new manager.

when the betting will be 4/1 david o leary, 6/1 paul jewell, 7/1 dave bassett, 9/1 neil warnock and a novelty bet of 200/1 dustin the turkey (we Irish are hilarious!). anyone of which would immediately result in us playing free flowing attractive football and pipping Germany to first place in the wc qualification group!!

back in the real world..... losing trap under any circumstances will result in a raft of retirements and 4th place in our next group.

[jbyrne]

There is no excitement where I am, be that at home in the bog, at work in the city, or travelling on the train. Like acorn above, I'm buzzing, but not sure many others are. Irish people is stupid

most Irish footie "fans" will become fans of the team for 180mins over the next week, complain they couldnt get a ticket, "settle" for watching the matches on telly, react in horror when the team they loved for two matches is knocked out in controversial circumstances and return to discussing the merits of wayne rooneys new central midfield position at utd by wed morning!

[Crosby87]

Duff is so due for a training injury. It's going to be tough holding my breath until Friday. Dont have that many brain cells as it is.

[Silly Billy G]

That's a mortal sin of a post Billy, violating the unwritten cardinal code of this discussion board.

Just trying to be prepared and not be at the mercy of Michael O'Leary

Apologies to all concerned. If we dont beat Estonia we should hang our heads in shame in fairness. I fully expect an Irish victory, in both legs. Jon Walters to be the Irish hero (hopefully)

[Silly Billy G]

when the betting will be 4/1 david o leary, 6/1 paul jewell, 7/1 dave bassett, 9/1 neil warnock and a novelty bet of 200/1 dustin the turkey (we Irish are hilarious!). anyone of which would immediately result in us playing free flowing attractive football and pipping Germany to first place in the wc qualification group!!

back in the real world..... losing trap under any circumstances will result in a raft of retirements and 4th place in our next group.

now there is a sobering post

[Acornvilla]

Earrah no we'd come 3rd

[DannyInvincible]

I have secured the pass from the missus if we make it to the Euros, i am confident we will overcome Estonia. Any ideas as to where we will we based if we Qualify ? Or ideas around where to book a flight too, i am tempted to book a flight to Krakow or Warsaw now and try and make my way to wherever the Irish team is playing from there. There doesnt seem to be many flights from Ireland to the Ukraine so fingers crossed we avoid going there.

I have been to Poland before (Torun) and it was a mighty spot.

Other than Poland (group A) and Ukraine (group D) who have already been designated their groups, no team will know where they'll be based until the groups are drawn on the 2nd of December.

[Littlest Hobo]

There are many ignorant and narrowed minded people on this forum. How dare you who question the the greatness and integrirty of Trappatoni, our most highest god and saviour!

He has taken our team from almost obscurity to the cusp of a playing at a major tournament.

We are almost back on the map, on the radar and in view of so many people, who will finally recognise the true spirit and passion of the irish.
**** the bankers, politicians and socialites, the ****ing ***** who rape and decimate our identity and integrity.

They will rot in hell for what they have done, but Trappatoni and his team will restore our faith and pride in being irish and they will live on in history. \
For we will remember their achievements, like those in '88 and '90, with great pride and warmth.

Irreland is a country that is now morally, socially and financially bankrupt and devoid of any conviction and self pride.
It is crying out for the recognition and inspiration that neither the politicians nor media can provide in these days of desparation.

Trap will lead to us to salvation and give us the opportunity to shine on the world stage once again.

Get behind Trap, tardelli and the team and god willing we will succeed.

Joim me brothers in these hours before battle and pray the lord gives Trap the strength and conviction he needs to win.

Come on you boys in green, in you I always trust.

'88, 90, 94 and '02 days of pride reignited.

[punkrocket]

I gave the FAI a ring and got 2 tickets for Tuesday's match, so it's not sold out yet. being a season ticket holder may have helped but I doubt it, you just have to ask.
And so as to avoid tempting fate I'm not getting the campervan serviced untill next May.

[DannyInvincible]

There are many ignorant and narrowed minded people on this forum. How dare you who question the the greatness and integrirty of Trappatoni, our most highest god and saviour!

He has taken our team from almost obscurity to the cusp of a playing at a major tournament.

We are almost back on the map, on the radar and in view of so many people, who will finally recognise the true spirit and passion of the irish.
**** the bankers, politicians and socialites, the ****ing ***** who rape and decimate our identity and integrity.

They will rot in hell for what they have done, but Trappatoni and his team will restore our faith and pride in being irish and they will live on in history. \
For we will remember their achievements, like those in '88 and '90, with great pride and warmth.

Irreland is a country that is now morally, socially and financially bankrupt and devoid of any conviction and self pride.
It is crying out for the recognition and inspiration that neither the politicians nor media can provide in these days of desparation.

Trap will lead to us to salvation and give us the opportunity to shine on the world stage once again.

Get behind Trap, tardelli and the team and god willing we will succeed.

Joim me brothers in these hours before battle and pray the lord gives Trap the strength and conviction he needs to win.

Come on you boys in green, in you I always trust.

'88, 90, 94 and '02 days of pride reignited.

Is féidir linn!

[Kingdom]

when the betting will be 4/1 david o leary, 6/1 paul jewell, 7/1 dave bassett, 9/1 neil warnock and a novelty bet of 200/1 dustin the turkey (we Irish are hilarious!). anyone of which would immediately result in us playing free flowing attractive football and pipping Germany to first place in the wc qualification group!!

back in the real world..... losing trap under any circumstances will result in a raft of retirements and 4th place in our next group.

I don't think the snottiness is merited. I'm a dreamer at the best of times, but I've my head on terra firma this time. All this notions of jinxing us etc, put that aside for a moment. It is a failure if we don't progress through this play-off. I would have thought this to be unarguable? If you disagree good luck to you.

The odds you quoted don't matter a damn, what odds was trap when Staunton was sacked/quit?

Retirements after this campaign are going to happen regardless of the manager. None of those considering it will retire because of trap's contract.


most Irish footie "fans" will become fans of the team for 180mins over the next week, complain they couldnt get a ticket, "settle" for watching the matches on telly, react in horror when the team they loved for two matches is knocked out in controversial circumstances and return to discussing the merits of wayne rooneys new central midfield position at utd by wed morning!
I'd argue whether they become "fans" even for the 180 mins! There is little or no love for the team amongst the general public that I can guage amongst my peers anyway.

Don't mistake my pondering as a lack of love for the Irish side either. I'd be plenty supportive of players and managers while competitions are going on (unless it's a disaster of Stan proportions) and always want to see the side do well.

[jbyrne]

I don't think the snottiness is merited. I'm a dreamer at the best of times, but I've my head on terra firma this time. All this notions of jinxing us etc, put that aside for a moment. It is a failure if we don't progress through this play-off. I would have thought this to be unarguable? If you disagree good luck to you.

The odds you quoted don't matter a damn, what odds was trap when Staunton was sacked/quit?

Retirements after this campaign are going to happen regardless of the manager. None of those considering it will retire because of trap's contract.


snotiness not intended and apologies if any offence caused.
however, i do believe that list to be the kind of manager we can expect. getting trap this time was a once off and getting someone of his calibre will not be repeated while our squad is so relatively limited. i also firmly believe that the players are no idiots and they will know that getting rid of trap will greatly reduce our chances of qualification and those well on the wrong side of 30 will be more inclined to pack it in.

[geysir]

i do believe that list to be the kind of manager we can expect
That betting list is for fools and their money.

[shakermaker1982]

Like I was saying yesterday (sorry not been back on since I started this debate with my McGeady comment)........I wouldn't fancy him to take one. Same goes for Duffer.

Keane, Andrews, Fahey, Walters and Cox I'd be happy with. The rest? I'd be very nervous. Then again I was wrong for the Man Utd - Chelsea CL Final. I was so sure Anderson was gonna miss....

If McGeady had a shocker for 120 minutes would you back him to put one away? I know I wouldn't.

[Kingdom]

No bother JB, your heart like plenty of the lads here is in the right place.
I don't believe that the interest of a lot of the managers who constantly are on the merry-go-round are tested. After all, didn't haircut 100 pass the buck on appointing Trap after his disastrous appointment of Stan?
For example, do you think Co Adriaanse ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co_Adriaanse ) really is choosy given his most recent clubs?

It annoys me greatly when the media put the blinkers on. Then again what should I expect, given the country itself.

[zero]

starting to feel the excitement now. work will have to suffer for a couple of days as my focus is elsewhere.

i'm feeling confident.

[Kingdom]

Like I was saying yesterday (sorry not been back on since I started this debate with my McGeady comment)........I wouldn't fancy him to take one. Same goes for Duffer.

Keane, Andrews, Fahey, Walters and Cox I'd be happy with. The rest? I'd be very nervous. Then again I was wrong for the Man Utd - Chelsea CL Final. I was so sure Anderson was gonna miss....

If McGeady had a shocker for 120 minutes would you back him to put one away? I know I wouldn't.

fair enough Shaker, although I imagine if mcGeady is having a shocker for 60 mins he'll be shephard-hooked?

He definitely suffers from the crowds reaction to him. Hated by Scots, not loved by Irishmen, poor fella.

[Wolfie]

Keane, Andrews, Fahey, Walters and Cox I'd be happy with.

The only problem with the list of takers above is that its unlikely that Keane, Walters and Cox would all be on the pitch at the same time.

Glen Whelan can strike the ball well.

[geysir]

If McGeady had a shocker for 120 minutes would you back him to put one away? I know I wouldn't.
If McGeady lasted 120 minutes, then he can't have had that much of a shocker :)

But it's hard to forget Harte against Spain when our deadly penalty taker was suffering some confidence issues.
But if Harte had lasted to the shoot out?…. who knows.

[Fixer82]

Hunt has to take a peno. And he'll defo be on at that stage if it comes to it. I've never seen him miss one

[geysir]

I'd be content if Hunt managed not to give away a penalty.

[an_ceannaire]

The lack of buzz/anticipation/excitement amongst the general public for this game is astonishing. The home leg not yet sold out! And the away leg on Friday and its barely warranting a mention to the ordinary Joe on the street

Where did we lose it lads?

[Sullivinho]

Where did we lose it lads?

I'm retracing my steps and praying to St. Anthony as we speak.

[Murfinator]

The lack of buzz/anticipation/excitement amongst the general public for this game is astonishing. The home leg not yet sold out! And the away leg on Friday and its barely warranting a mention to the ordinary Joe on the street

Where did we lose it lads?

Was last seen with this chap.

http://img.skysports.com/07/08/218x298/SteveStaunton_556529.jpg

0

[Noelys Guitar]

Still think Cox will start on Friday ahead of Walters. Sometimes it works better when you have two relatively small, tricky players up against a big but fairly static defenders. Keane and Cox are very difficult to mark.

[Wolfie]

Still think Cox will start on Friday ahead of Walters. Sometimes it works better when you have two relatively small, tricky players up against a big but fairly static defenders. Keane and Cox are very difficult to mark.

Yes - its most likely that both Walters and Best (if available) were destined for the bench all along, regardless of current form.

I still think that Walters is tailor made for us at the moment and opens up a new dimension of an attacking threat for us. He has a sense of urgency, is direct and decisive and a player in form.

[elroy]

Buzz is starting to build now if you ask me as the game gets closer. Unfort reality is that many Irish are event junkies, a play off against France satisfied that appetite whereas Estonia does not. Having said that, I know a large number of lads who went to the Armenia game and are going next Tues, who would not normally pay alot of interest to the Irish team. By and large that can only be a good thing.

We need qualification to get a new generation captured with the Irish team the way we are. So many of us had 88, 90, 94 etc which sucked us in and we've been addicted to the Irish drug ever since. This is a huge opportunity, we should be confident but that attribute doesn't really come with following Ireland.

I have little doubt it will be a full house Tues night and it could be the greatest night in Dublin since Holland in 2001. I'm looking forward to hopefully coming on here next Tues night to celebrate qualification with my fellow long suffering foot.ie ers. Imagine the build up from now to next June will be like!

Also I think this may well be the last campaign for a few experienced heads. The more I look at the 2014 draw the more difficult it looks, so I really hope we can grasp this real opportunity we now have. COME ON YBIG!

[Kingdom]

Just to throw it out there, Scruffy Murphy's in Verschoyle Court off Mount St Lwr, should be jammers before the game (and after if all goes to plan), it's become the official home of YBIG.

I'm not sure how I'll react if bad things happen on Tuesday. probably more bad things would happen.

[Murfinator]

I disagree, I think in traps mind Cox was always a replacement for Keane but never someone who he'd want to play alongside him. The decision in recent times has been Keane/Cox paired with Doyle/Long, I don't think trap wants to play Keane with Cox and wouldn't see that as a suitable partnership. Walters fits much more in the Doyle role, and as per usual with Trap its all about the system and who fits the best into it.

Two tricky strikers is fine in some systems but its never been the way we play, he'd have to adjust the strategy and cut out the long balls to accommodate it and he won't do that.

[elroy]

Yes - its most likely that both Walters and Best (if available) were destined for the bench all along, regardless of current form.

I still think that Walters is tailor made for us at the moment and opens up a new dimension of attacking threat for us. He has a sense of urgency, is direct and decisive and a player in form.

On club form Walters should start. Cox has done a decent job for us when he has been called upon but it does sound like trap will go with Walters. Probably the right call IMO, he has looked very good for stoke this year, notching a few goals along the way-has shown in club colours that he is well able for big occasions - Europa and fa cup last year.

[Wolfie]

On club form Walters should start. Cox has done a decent job for us when he has been called upon but it does sound like trap will go with Walters. Probably the right call IMO, he has looked very good for stoke this year, notching a few goals along the way-has shown in club colours that he is well able for big occasions - Europa and fa cup last year.

I'd like to see Keane and Walters start, but I've a niggling sense that Cox could get the nod over Walters.

Has Trapp offered any indication to the media that Walters will start????

[Razors left peg]

I think Walters is nailed on to start this game. Cant see Trap picking Cox alongside Robbie. Cant get my head around any sort of prediction for the games, I think we'll win but I have a feeling that we'll make it hard for ourselves as usual. We usually raise ourselves for big teams and do just about enough to beat those that we should beat

[Murfinator]

I think it'll be a very unremarkable game that'll fade out to a scoreless draw personally. A draw will suit trap because of his conservatism and knowing Doyle + JOS will be back in the home leg. The draw will suit Estonia as it keeps them in it. Don't see either side going all out for it, theres more to lose than to gain really I feel will be the mentality.

Best case scenario is a score draw. Then we can just field Given and Dunne on Tuesday and prepare for June.

[BonnieShels]

Elroy, I hope for your sake you won't have to celebrate on here on Tuesday night. I've booked Wednesday off. This is gonna be whopper.

[paul_oshea]

What about me BS, away and then back working monday and tuesday half day. Back in again to work on wednesday morning after a (different kinda) red-eye flight :)

[boovidge]

whatever happens tuesday night, getting back across the sea on wednesday is going to be mighty painful.

[ken foree]

i've recently discovered this thing called not drinking. it's quite amazing. although i must say either kind of result is gonna push me to my limit. c'monnnnnnnnn ireland

[Stuttgart88]

Elroy, I hope for your sake you won't have to celebrate on here on Tuesday night. I've booked Wednesday off. This is gonna be whopper.Me too, but I had a hard-to-arrange meeting with someone very important in my company and his PA offered me 2pm on Weds, otherwise nothing for ages. My flight arraives at 11.40pm so I'll dash to the office, get into my suit and hope he doesn't smell my breath. I'll pass off not shaving as a Movember thing.

Of course, I may also be having an early night on Tuesday.

[elroy]

Elroy, I hope for your sake you won't have to celebrate on here on Tuesday night. I've booked Wednesday off. This is gonna be whopper.

Ha you and me both. Unfortunately will have to work the Wednesday but hopefully with a big smile and a sore head. I intend to log on to foot.ie at the early hours of Wed morning on the way back from the celebrations!!! It could be one of the best nights in Dublin for a long time. Oh god its gonna be a long few days between now and then....of course a good first leg result would ease the nerves.

[elroy]

I think it'll be a very unremarkable game that'll fade out to a scoreless draw personally. A draw will suit trap because of his conservatism and knowing Doyle + JOS will be back in the home leg. The draw will suit Estonia as it keeps them in it. Don't see either side going all out for it, theres more to lose than to gain really I feel will be the mentality.

Best case scenario is a score draw. Then we can just field Given and Dunne on Tuesday and prepare for June.

Wouldnt be so strong as to say Id dread it, but think a scoreless draw would leave us in a perilious situation for the home game. A deflected goal, a penalty etc could easily go estonia's way on the night and all of a sudden, we'd need two.

I recall some game JOSH played not that long ago where he had just come back from injury and he had one of his poorest games for us. Was it Macedonia away?? The lad is usually very reliable for us but I would have concerns on drafting him into the second leg XI if he was not fully fit.

[Sullivinho]

i've recently discovered this thing called not drinking. it's quite amazing.

Witchcraft! To the river with you to see if you float or drown.

[Junior]

I pray come Tuesday night the celebrations required will result in Copperface Jacks followed by Leeson St. Yes folks, its gonna be that good.........Come on Ireland!!!!!

[DannyInvincible]

whatever happens tuesday night, getting back across the sea on wednesday is going to be mighty painful.

Checked in online there. I can just see it now:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/6a00d834e06b8c69e200e54f7819da8834-800wi.jpg

[geysir]

I don't know how anyone can get as far as thoughts of Tuesday night celebrations.
I'm mulling over past playoff jinxes, I'm trapped, cornered, there are no options left, except to throw obsessive caution into the wind.

[koneinc]

whatever happens tuesday night, getting back across the sea on wednesday is going to be mighty painful.

You're not wrong boovidge, I've Wednesday morning off work so I'm taking a later flight, hopefully the head will have cleared by lunchtime!

[BonnieShels]

What about me BS, away and then back working monday and tuesday half day. Back in again to work on wednesday morning after a (different kinda) red-eye flight :)

go on...

[BonnieShels]

Ha you and me both. Unfortunately will have to work the Wednesday but hopefully with a big smile and a sore head. I intend to log on to foot.ie at the early hours of Wed morning on the way back from the celebrations!!! It could be one of the best nights in Dublin for a long time. Oh god its gonna be a long few days between now and then....of course a good first leg result would ease the nerves.

I remember post play-off v France and heading to Whelan's with tears in my eyes and this sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach and getting trashed and then punching the wall in Whelan's. And then waking up for work the next day with no memory of the night before and then it hit me on the train. I have never wanted to just crawl home more in my life. Work was hell that day. Made all the more hellish with the lack of any reasonable conversation with my work colleagues as there's very few supporters there. ALL FANS!

I can't wait for the hangover on Wednesday. Though first thing is first, where am I watching the game on Friday?

COME ON IRELAND!