Ireland v Germany & Poland

[OwlsFan]

Stadium looks great in Poland. Dublin Airport is going to be very busy catering for both the rugby and football supporters.

Temperature will be just above freezing so we had best all wear our woolies.

2329

[DeLorean]

That looks class alright. Which players are one booking away from missing the Poland game?

[Kingdom]

So we're looking at:

-----------Given

Cyrus Keogh O'Shea Brady

---Meyler McCarthy Hendrick---
-----------Wessi
------- Long Walters

[DeLorean]

So we're looking at:

Given

Clyne Keogh O'Shea Brady

Meyler McCarthy Hendrick
Wessi
Long Walters

I bet you were one of the Sterling boo-boys as well :)

[IsMiseSean]

Do we know if the roof will be closed in Warsaw yet?

[OwlsFan]

Rain not forecast so I doubt it.

So do we want Poland to beat Scotland, guaranteeing us a play-off spot but no chance of 2nd (assuming we don't beat Germany) or a Scotland win making the game in Warsaw a play-off for 2nd place? There will be some very strong teams in the play-offs but I suppose we have to hope for a Polish win as the chances of us winning in Poland are not great based on our past record - even Jack's team couldn't hold a 1-3 lead there.

[ciaraa]

So do we want Poland to beat Scotland, guaranteeing us a play-off spot but no chance of 2nd (assuming we don't beat Germany) or a Scotland win making the game in Warsaw a play-off for 2nd place?

Well seeing as the only teams ROI have beaten in qualifying are Gibralter and Georgia (just) I would say they are praying for a Poland win in Scotland.

[nigel-harps1954]

Take a play-off all day. Just screw Scotland.

[DeLorean]

I'd take a Poland win in Scotland for sure under the circumstances. You'd never know our luck in a playoff. Any so called decent team that finish third are obviously in a bad enough place and I'd always fancy us against an overachieving, normally weak side. Plus, although I wouldn't be quite as blunt as Nigel, finishing ahead of Scotland would be something in itself!

[jbyrne]

Scotland will get at least a draw against poland

[IsMiseSean]

Scotland will get at least a draw against poland

I think the Poles will set up not to get beat in Glasgow. They will probably be thinking the Germans will beat us.
Two draws for Poland will assure them an automatic place if we lose to Germany.

[tetsujin1979]

someone asked about players carrying yellow cards, can't find the post
from the preview on uefa.com: http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/qualifiers/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2014023/prematch/background/index.html

Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy, Jon Walters and Marc Wilson will incur a ban with their next yellow cards.

[DeLorean]

That was me, thanks.

[geysir]

That was me, thanks.
You're someone??

[tricky_colour]

The German must have be quacking in the jackboots when they saw our squad.


The will no doubt be employing the Siegfried line defence with a sweeper. ;)

[RiffRaff]

I would have thought McShane's experience would make him a better option than either Christie or Keogh for either defensive spot

[DeLorean]

You're someone??

In the same way Herbie was someone.

[Fixer82]

The German must have be quacking in the jackboots when they saw our squad.


The will no doubt be employing the Siegfried line defence with a sweeper. ;)

a minesweeper?

[tricky_colour]

a minesweeper?

They will be parking the battleship! :)

[geysir]

https://anglotees.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/dont-mention-for-catalog-502x535.png

[SkStu]

Meinsweeper in German lads.

[OwlsFan]

Meinsweeper in German lads.

Minensucher (which really means mine searcher as opposed to mein Fuhrer).

If it's a cloudless day, keep an eye out for the hun in the sun.

[DeLorean]

Marty not too proud to accept a favour from Poland!

Christie a minor doubt also but should be okay

The Examiner (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/martin-oneill-id-take-a-favour-from-poland-357709.html)

[DeLorean]

Roy being Roy as Wessi sits out training (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/roy-keane-unless-robbie-is-breastfeeding-he-will-be-fine-to-play-against-germany-31586863.html)

[tricky_colour]

Meinsweeper in German lads.

Minensuchboot

[elroy]

Not the games you want players missing for. Any chance the Germans settle for the draw they need to qualify. I forgot that we were second seeds for this group, certainly haven't played like it!!

Would probably take a Poland win now in Scotland and we therefore have 3rd no matter what.

Ideal would be a draw in both meaning we're guaranteed third going to Poland and can have a right shot at second.

Any poles only one yellow away from suspension.

[tetsujin1979]

Any poles only one yellow away from suspension.
from the uefa.com preview of the game: http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/qualifiers/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2014024/prematch/background/index.html

Łukasz Szukała's next yellow card will incur a suspension.
31 year old centre half playing in Turkey with 15 caps and one goal, against Gibraltar

[tetsujin1979]

Podolski ruled out with an ankle injury: http://www.dfb.de/news/detail/lukas-podolski-faellt-fuer-laenderspiele-aus-132235/
(passed through google translate)

LUKAS PODOLSKI FALLS FOR INTERNATIONALS FROM
Lukas Podolski (https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.dfb.de/index.php%3Fid%3D1001345&usg=ALkJrhhpDhelWrfDqVUPc5LMexkgYx5Liw) falls out for the European Championship qualifiers against Ireland on Thursday (from 20.45 clock, live on RTL) and in Dublin on Sunday (from 20.45 clock, live on RTL) in Leipzig against Georgia. The player of Galatasaray had traveled with a strong swelling on the ankle from Turkey to the team to Frankfurt. By medical department of the DFB team this was diagnosed as a painful irritation capsule on the left ankle, a use of the world champion in the matches against Ireland and Georgia is thus excluded.
Podolski has departed from the team lodging the national team in Frankfurt on Tuesday evening, the further treatment is carried out at his club.

[tetsujin1979]

various journalists on twitter are reporting that Coleman will not be considered for the game tomorrow night.

[Kingdom]

Cyrus the virus it is then.

[OwlsFan]

So here's the question: Poland and Scotland draw and we lose to Germany. We travel to Poland. We need a point to guarantee a play-off place and a draw secures 2nd place for Poland. Do we play for the win to tie with Poland and go ahead of them on face to face results (i.e automatic qualification). Both teams will go at it for a while I suspect but with 20 minutes to go and Scotland are trouncing the Gibs, is there a mutual agreement that we both keep what we hold ? I would say yes.

[DeLorean]

I would suggest signing the mutual agreement in advance! The ba$tard in me thinks it would be hilarious to see Scotland elimiated in such circumstances.

[Littlest Hobo]

Here's my predictions

RoI 1 Ger 3
Scot 1 Pol 2

Pol 1 RoI 1
Gib 0 Scot 3
Ger 3 Geo 0

Ger 25, Pol 21, RoI 16, Scot 14

[elroy]

Whatever about a scots Poland draw, we absolutely do not want a scots win. Then we would have to win in Poland.

A draw in both games tomorrow would be lovely.

[DeLorean]

I can see Scotland getting at least a draw unfortuantely. If they win, Poland will be pretty nervous against us and I'm not sure they've showed much bottle in recent times under pressure. Still not the ideal scenario though.

[paul_oshea]

Delores, it has nothing to do with them, and all to do with us...

[paul_oshea]

How come Wilson hasnt been ruled out? He is still in stoke, and hasnt joined up but nothing about him being ruled out, surely he cant hop over tomorrow and then play?

[geysir]

Wilson hasn't been ruled in or out.
Probably like Coleman, has a better chance to start against Poland.

[Stuttgart88]

Scotland will lose, we'll get no more points. We'll draw the Dutch minnows and win, with a Keane bicycle kick from 18 yards on 91 minutes in the second leg, but it'll be disregarded as it was only against a team that Iceland got 6 points from.

Joking aside: first sentence is my serious expectation.

[Olé Olé]

I don't expect anything tomorrow night but I do think we'll pull a draw from the Poland game. Coleman, Whelan and McClean will be back in contention to boost confidence (the former pair to start) and we'll have a performance similar to Germany away. We drew 0-0 away to Poland in 2013.

I really don't expect anything tomorrow night. As I've said before, after failing to beat Scotland at home I don't have much hope for a draw at home to Germany.

Lewandowski for a hat-trick and pulled hammer tomorrow night.. I'd take that!

[Crosby87]

Given, JOSH, keogh, brady, meyler, McCarthy, hendrick, walters, Long, Hoolie.

Vs
Neuer, Can, Boateng, Hummels, Hector, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Muller, Gundogan, Ozil....Gotze.

My analysis:
Germany: Can? What kind of name is that? Is his first name soda? Hummels are little statues of elves and **** that you collect when you are all alone and 80. Hector is a Mexican cook at my favorite Greek place. Schweinsteiger and Muller are nazi names. That should have been changed years ago out of respect. Gundogan is a character in a JK Rowling book. Kroos is a scientologist. Gotze is the german for "Goats" which describes his roomates in the barn he grew up in.

Ireland: It's a potentially plucky squad. Combine that with the fact Germany are not taking you stubborn chaps seriously, and I think you have a punchers chance here.

Prediction: 5- 1 Germany.

[SkStu]

Given, JOSH, keogh, brady, meyler, McCarthy, hendrick, walters, Long, Hoolie.

Vs
Neuer, Can, Boateng, Hummels, Hector, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Muller, Gundogan, Ozil....Gotze.

My analysis:
Germany: Can? What kind of name is that? Is his first name soda? Hummels are little statues of elves and **** that you collect when you are all alone and 80. Hector is a Mexican cook at my favorite Greek place. Schweinsteiger and Muller are nazi names. That should have been changed years ago out of respect. Gundogan is a character in a JK Rowling book. Kroos is a scientologist. Gotze is the german for "Goats" which describes his roomates in the barn he grew up in.

Ireland: It's a potentially plucky squad. Combine that with the fact Germany are not taking you stubborn chaps seriously, and I think you have a punchers chance here.

Prediction: 5- 1 Germany.

Well if it's 10v11 as you've made out it might be even more of a cricket score!!

Head says 3-0, heart says 1-1

[SkStu]

I have to say that Long must start. If there is a weakness it's a slight lack of experience in the full back and pace along the back line. Unfortunately, they'll be saying the same and there firepower is just that little bit stronger...

Hon Poland!!

[osarusan]

I'll go for a desperately defensive performance which achieves the goal of 0-0.

[nigel-harps1954]

Team details have been released. Wilson and Coleman indeed miss out.

http://i.imgur.com/bpxMtvx.png

[boovidge]

I reckon we'll score at some point but get soundly beaten. 1-3 maybe.

[boysingreen]

Random question, but any podcasts out there discussing this game or the Irish team on a somewhat regular basis? "Off the Ball" only one I've found so far.

[Charlie Darwin]

Not the games you want players missing for. Any chance the Germans settle for the draw they need to qualify.
Germans settled for a draw against Staunton in 2009. Loew's team will be more adventurous, but as the game wears on I wouldn't be surprised if they took what they need to qualify.

[tetsujin1979]

Random question, but any podcasts out there discussing this game or the Irish team on a somewhat regular basis? "Off the Ball" only one I've found so far.
Second Captains has two regular football podcasts a week.

[paul_oshea]

Team details have been released. Wilson and Coleman indeed miss out.

http://i.imgur.com/bpxMtvx.png

Whelan ha where did ye get that