The France Prediction Thread

[TerryPhelan]

... 'cos I just can't get it out of my head. ;) Fellow posters, I am admittedly the most pessimistic Irish fan alive. Probably. I always fear the worst. As most of you can probably understand, however, it is usually a strategy of indirect reverse-psychology: constantly willing your team to defy your doomsday predictions. At the very least, adopting a generally resigned attitude towards Ireland's chance of success (while obviously cheering them on at the top of my voice) means you either end up proven delightfully wrong or else you were correct. Even with all this in mind, I just cannot see us beating France. Scratch that, actually. I cannot see us not losing to France.

I think everyone recognises that this French team - having woefully underperformed so far in the group - is due a big performance. This is an absolutely crucial game for them. We coped so well against them in Paris because we were able to overrun their midfield. We had Zinedine Kilbane playing the game of his life against the overrated Dacourt, and Fookin' Cheese Sandwiches comfortably running the show against the teenage debutant Mavuba. Gallas cancelled Duff out on our left just as Stevies Finnan and Carr cancelled Henry and Pires out on our right. However, with a completely overhauled midfield - the outstanding Makalele in the holding role, allowing Zidane and Vieira to attack more - it will be an entirely different kettle of fish as far as our ability to dictate the game is concerned. I just cannot see us overcoming this sort of quality, whether we are at home or not. With the Roy Keane of 2001 perhaps I might see it differently - we cannot expect him to stem the flow of Zidane and Vieira singlehandedly, while also keeping an eye on Henry. There will just be too many distractions in terms of their attacking threat. Robbie and Clinton will be full of energy, but with Thuram back in the centre for the French, I can only see them floundering.

The only reason for optimism I can eke out of my entrenched doomsday stance is France's miserable display against England in Euro 2004. England ran the game and had the French in their pocket for 89 minutes. England aren't that different or better than us - they certainly weren't then. What bothers me is France's ability to be so utterly clinical when it comes to capitalising on unforced errors - all it took was one stray pass late on from Stevie Gerrard for the whole fabric to come undone. As evidenced throughout our campaign, we are highly prone to making just those sort of errors. We are weak on defending setpieces. Kerr's tactical shortcomings have been exposed by lesser sides than France. And I keep on having premonitions of a 3-0 debacle, all first half goals, with George Hamilton doing his 'oh no - disaster' routine I have grown so accustomed to.

So far I have been able to blow any optimistic ripostes to my position out of the water. I don't want to be able to do this. I want to be proven wrong. I want real reasons to hope. I love my team - this current one in particular - and will cheer them on regardless of my lack of belief that we can hold it together against opposition of top quality. But the pain and exasperation and hurt of the result against Israel burned very, very deep. Please, if there is anyone out there who can offer anything by way of real reasons to hope, I want to hear them.

Because as it stands I can't see past a French victory. :(

[concanta]

I am one of Irelands more optimistic fans... at the moment I am not confident about beating the French but our chances are no worse off now.... Ireland always perform better as underdogs and we will definitely be underdogs for this game. I know that doesnt mean we will win or have no problems but if th eright team is picked and we go about the game properly I think we can win the game. Our team in my opinion is superior quality than when we beat the Dutch 4 yrs ago, its all about getting the right mentality for the game and we should not panic if we go behind or even ahead.....it sounds silly to panic when we are ahead but we have done in the past ( against israel 2 times)

My prediction ( hand on heart ) is a 2 2 draw

[superfrank]

1-0. Don't ask me how I know, it's just a feeling!

PS. I will come back here and admit I'm wrong if final score isn't 1-0.

[thejollyrodger]

my prediction is

best peformance yet under kerr and Ireland beat France by a goal.

[sligoman]

Either team can easily win this but I honestly think it will be a draw. But then again, with Barthez out, you never know;), we might just get a goal or two :cool:

[thejollyrodger]

its some of the negative thinking above (which has no base in reality) that has cost us so dearly in irish football

[mountie]

Listen lads I keep hearing that the French are due a big performance, but so are we. We have an outstanding team of premiership footballers, who in my opinion have not performed to their potential. I see this game as a fast hard tackling premiership type game. I believe with the right attitude of respecting the French but not fearing them and performing as we can we will get the result we want. The return of Zizou and co. smacks of desperation and a French team in turmoil. I have always thought this group was down to us and the French and I believe we are the equal if not the better of France at the moment. I suggest that a vocal home crowd will also be important to us. Prediction is a nail biting game with a 2-1 home win or 1-1 draw at least.

[thejollyrodger]

were due a big performance now, our team is going to be really fired up for this, its a big game, we need the 3 points unlike before, we play our best football against the better sides. Plus the team is starting to settle, we all know the starting best 11 and we have home advantage.

France are a mess, their best players are old and past their best, domench is still looking for new blood and going through a tough period of transition. France havent played well yet and the players and fans dont trust this France team. :D

I cant see anything but a nail biting win for ireland. Call a spade a spade.

[Cowboy]

Lets get fired up and roar the boys home !

[The Stars]

im going for France 3-1 Ireland.

[sligoman]

its some of the negative thinking above (which has no base in reality) that has cost us so dearly in irish footballAre you saying what I said was negative? :confused:

[Closed Account 2]

Think we'll get a draw vs the French. Even though were at home, they will have a much stronger team in terms of starting players than last time we met. I'd take a draw at the moment, I can see us winning in Cyprus, but the big fear for me is not putting the Swiss to task at home. They have become somewhat of a jinx side for us, and we need to voodoo the hoodoo if we want to get to Germany.

[Cowboy]

im going for France 3-1 Ireland.

We are playing at home so Ireland score come first, how can you call yourself a fan with a losers mentality like yours? Guys who believe they will lose usually do

[sligoman]

how can you call yourself a fan with a losers mentality like yours? Guys who believe they will lose usually doEveryone is entitled to their own opinion. Every fan doubts their teams chances every now and again. If you dont agree with other people's opinions then fair enough but no need to criticise it!

[Anto McC]

I'll go for a rather exciting 0-0

[thejollyrodger]

Are you saying what I said was negative? :confused:

Nil, Terry Phelan and the stars are negative. 3-1 to France ? hello ! :rolleyes:

[Cowboy]

From Websters dictionary : Main Entry: sup·port·er
Function: noun
: one that supports or acts as a support.

Why cant I criticise an opinion? is the view taken so weak that it cannot withstand debate? Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion as I am free to attack a view that i take exception to. Far too much negativity on here which is ill founded given previous results.


Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Every fan doubts their teams chances every now and again. If you dont agree with other people's opinions then fair enough but no need to criticise it!

[Qwerty]

I don't think it's negativity from the lads it's just pre-match nerves which all supporters suffer from time to time. I recommend breathing exercises and avoidance of caffeine, and yes use the forum to vent and cry, don't bottle it up now :D . Remember you should be focusing on the Italy game and use it as practice and fine tuning for the big game against the Les Frogs. Before going to sleep use mental visualization to imagine Les Frogs as a bunch of butter slurping, chain-smoking, pot-bellied rude and mustachioed oafs who speak with funny accents, this will calm you down and allow you a restful nights sleep. Sweet dreams :D

[geysir]

So far I have been able to blow any optimistic ripostes to my position out of the water. I don't want to be able to do this. I want to be proven wrong. I want real reasons to hope. I love my team - this current one in particular - and will cheer them on regardless of my lack of belief that we can hold it together against opposition of top quality. But the pain and exasperation and hurt of the result against Israel burned very, very deep. Please, if there is anyone out there who can offer anything by way of real reasons to hope, I want to hear them.

Because as it stands I can't see past a French victory.

You are a pessimist albeit self confessed, even if offered tangible hope it wont make a bit of difference to you.
You mention the hurt against Israel, yes of course it hurt but to some who have been following Ireland since way too long, it was a mere scratch, the group is still there to win.
To recount the amount of hurt suffered following Ireland over the decades would require pages and pages. Maybe we can start a matt talbot type of thread and get it all out once and for all with flagellative force. It wouldn't be for the fainthearted.
You asked for some real reasons of hope.
Since I have been following Ireland we have always beaten the French at home in Qual. games. They have come with star studded teams and against the odds we have prevailed, beating them fair and square. For the last 30 years they have been a class team with class players playing the most attractive football yet we have always played well against them. I expect the same to happen in September.

The only option I have for watching the game is via satellite, I could go to a pub but I like to stay sober/nervous while watching Ireland. I could invite a few friends and watch at home. But deep down I know they are genetically pessimistic while at the same time will cheer Ireland. I know they fear the worst and are prepared mentally to survive the worst possible outcome - loosing - and that is expected. Then I prefer to keep them out of sight and watch it my teenage kid who isn't at all shackled by such complexes. I expect us to qualify, if not, its gonna hurt, numb for a few weeks and then the pain kicks in in a bad way around May. Then the whole rigmarole starts again in the following autumn. I can get over loosing, thats why I want us to win and celebrate in style.

[geysir]

I don't think it's negativity from the lads it's just pre-match nerves which all supporters suffer from time to time. I recommend breathing exercises and avoidance of caffeine, and yes use the forum to vent and cry, don't bottle it up now :D . Remember you should be focusing on the Italy game and use it as practice and fine tuning for the big game against the Les Frogs. Before going to sleep use mental visualization to imagine Les Frogs as a bunch of butter slurping, chain-smoking, pot-bellied rude and mustachioed oafs who speak with funny accents, this will calm you down and allow you a restful nights sleep. Sweet dreams :D

Dreams, sweet dreams!, I have had 2 football dreams in my life so I suppose I'm not in a serious way.
The first was the night before that infamous game in Liechenstein, I woke up with the horrible image of 0-0 imprinted in headlines on my brain.
The next one was the night before the game in Iran, it was 2-2 and Ireland were crumbling, I woke up thinking that the curse had struck again. I went on line and checked the odds at Paddy power and on seeing 1/8 ireland to qualify I immediately felt kind of tranquil at that. Since then I have been cured.

[madjack]

5/2 to top the group (gamebookers) is a good deal I think, considering this: If we beat France, we will most likely top the group. I have an inkling if Robbie is fit that we can scrape a win - don't forget the French were underperforming bigtime the last time Zidane and Maka were in the team...
Ireland 2 France 1 :D

[Green Tribe]

i'm being my optimistic self and going for 1-0 to Ireland :D Morrison to score ;) in the 63rd minute. That is all I see in my crystal ball..... :D

[thejollyrodger]

Ireland to win by a goal

[Green Tribe]

Ireland to win by a goal

you using the same crystal ball as me? :D

[NeilMcD]

1-0 to Ireland courtesy of our own legend and top scorer Robbie Keane. I think it will be backs to the wall after he scores in the early part of the 2nd half but we hold out due to great defending by King Kenny and great goalkeeping by Shay Given. But then again did any of us predict 2-2 against Israel after being 2 nil up.

[Dublin12]

I'm going for a 1-1 result,with the French to score first and us to equalise early second half and then it's us defending an onslaught for the last 20 minutes as the French roll us over in midfield,we'll hang on but it will be close.

[drinkfeckarse]

If we can recreate the atmosphere like the Holland game then I can see a famous 1-0 victory.

Saying my prayers already ;) :D

[Donal81]

This is a former great French team, not a great French team. They have achieved nothing in football since 2000 except the honourable distinction of losing to Senegal. They were muck in 2002 and muck in 2004 and couldn't beat Greece, whose only real talent was in organisation and belief.

I couldn't give a toss if Zidane, Makelele and Thuram are back. All these greats only retired after Euro 2004 when they had presided over the decline of one of the best teams of our era.

Yes, they're due a really great game but so are we. If we don't produce it at home against France, then we're never going to.

We can take absolutely anyone in Lansdowne and I expect us to beat them as we have the players, we have the belief and the home advantage. I will be disappointed if we don't beat them as there is no reason for us not to.

1-0 to the boys. Allez les irlandais.

[Lionel Ritchie]

If we can recreate the atmosphere like the Holland game then I can see a famous 1-0 victory.

Saying my prayers already ;) :D

We rode lady luck like she was the cheapest wh0re in all Kansas in that Holland game.

Yes France are due a good game and who knows ...maybe so are we.

Probably since Switzerland and the two Israel games I've concluded my expectations of this team are simply too high and, premiership players all or none, that as a unit they simply aren't as good as we'd like to think they are.

Maybe that's defeatist ...or maybe I've just smacked my last beer can off the TV and given up on this batch being a great team.

I don't think we'll win this game and I don't think we'll win the group. Just so long as they do their best -which they didn't in the three games referred to -I'll settle for that.

[joeSoap]

0-0 draw for me....Zinedines dead brother telling him to put a last minute penalty high into the south terrace cos he backed a 0-0 draw in Ladbrokes heaven office....

[brine3]

1-0 for France. But we'll whoop the Swiss and the Cypriots and the Israeli bandwagon will fall apart. Then we'll knock out the European champions in a play-off.

No bother.

[youngirish]

Lads I have to be honest after seeing Italy tear us apart at will last night in the first half I worry about our defensive frailities against the French. I know we came back into the game in the second half but Italy always sit back and try to hold leads and I reckon that had a lot to do with it. I'm trying to be positive but we have been s**t lately in Internationals and are particularly poor at converting our chances.

Hopefully both Elliot and Morrision will get a few games in the premiership before the match and develop a bit more sharpness in front of goal.

[Juz the Hoop]

im going for France 3-1 Ireland.

OH youll pay for that especailly the purple monkey diswasher remark :D

Anyways. To be honest Im slightly worried. IMO were too slow at the back and cisse's pace could destoy us. However I remeber after the Croatia friendly in 2001 saying the same thing and we went on to beat Holland just after that so I dunnop what it is I just have a feeling. My Head says draw but my heart says a 1-0 win lets wait and see.

KOH

JUZ

[thejollyrodger]

I think this game will defintely have scores in it. Im almost 100% it wont be 0-0 after 90 minutes going by the two teams need for points.

I still think (after last night) that we will beat or draw with France. I know they won 3-0 but they were hardly playing against quality opposition.

We have a big performance left in us too. I know we played 4-3-3 and didnt get anywhere but once we went back to 4-4-2 we started to show what we can do and that was missing 2 key players. We always raise our game against quality opposition and all the players will be well up for it.

France will play very well but so will we. 3-2 to ireland. Clinton to score first. I think it might be a cracker of a game.

[Fair_play_boy]

... 'cos I just can't get it out of my head. ;) Fellow posters, I am admittedly the most pessimistic Irish fan alive. Probably. I always fear the worst. As most of you can probably understand, however, it is usually a strategy of indirect reverse-psychology: constantly willing your team to defy your doomsday predictions. At the very least, adopting a generally resigned attitude towards Ireland's chance of success (while obviously cheering them on at the top of my voice) means you either end up proven delightfully wrong or else you were correct. Even with all this in mind, I just cannot see us beating France. Scratch that, actually. I cannot see us not losing to France.(Brilliant post, TerryPhelan.
Deffo contender for POTM, IMHO.

[Fair_play_boy]

you using the same crystal ball as me? :DI reckon he was using the same crystal ball that told him Shels would beat CCFC 5 - Nil last Monday. :D ;) :p

[tarzan_bray]

remember
Sep 99 2-1 v Yugoslavia ( Kennedy magic strike)
Sep 01 1-0 v Holland (McAteer magic strike)
Sep 03 1-1 v Russia (Duff magic strike, missing Robbie and Roy Keane)
Sep 05 I think we will win 2-1 but who gets the magic strike I'll go with Clinton

[Lionel Ritchie]

remember
Sep 99 2-1 v Yugoslavia ( Kennedy magic strike) Yugoslavia were a decent team and it was indeed a great goal -but we should expect to win matches against their ilk.



Sep 01 1-0 v Holland (McAteer magic strike) Unforgettable. But lady luck couldn't sit for a week after it.



Sep 03 1-1 v Russia (Duff magic strike, missing Robbie and Roy KeaneIt wasn't enough -we needed the win.



Sep 05 I think we will win 2-1 but who gets the magic strike I'll go with Clinton I hope you're right. I'm actually more confident after last night. It might just be the wake up call we needed. While I'm disappointed for Clinton that his perfectly legit goal wasn't allowed stand -I think it might be better for our lot psychologically that we didn't "get out of jail". I'd hate to think of anyone going into this game going "ah sure we'll be grand" or "we'll scrape through in the end" -me may very well not scrape through.

Whatever about our outfield defensive shortcomings -we've a keeper who's certifiably on fcukin fire!!! Add to that the fact we kept going right to the final whistle -which we haven't been doing in quite a while (Paris excepted) and there's light at the end of the tunnel (let's just hope it aint a TGV :eek: )

[NeilMcD]

Sep 05 I think we will win 2-1 but who gets the magic strike I'll go with Clinton[/QUOTE]


Dont turn up to Lansdowne on the 5th of September expecting Ireland to win. In fact I will bet 1 million Euro that the Senior Irish International Team will not beat France and Lansdowne Road on the 5th of September.

[TerryPhelan]

Brilliant post, TerryPhelan.
Deffo contender for POTM, IMHO.

Thanks. Sadly our performance against the Italians in the first half (which, in friendlies, is the only real barometer of a performance you can have, given the deluge of tinkering and substituting that goes on in the second) gave me no cause for comfort. They literally strolled through our defence God knows how many times in the first 20-25 mins. Henry, Cisse et al are much faster than a permanently rubicund Vieri who, let's not forget, has not even started his season yet, and the game will be well over after 5 minutes if we commit the same mistakes against France. Our central midfield, apart from looking confused, were anaemic and were shown up by a classier, faster outfit. Gamebreakers like Pirlo had acres of space in our half - I tread to think what Zidane would do to us there. Generally our defence was shown up to be flatfooted and blunt whenever a quality team really presses us. I noted it first in the Romania friendly, how we panicked whenever they launched balls or ran players towards our central defenders. My resignation about a defeat to the French (another Basle 2003) hasn't been lifted at all, I'm afraid... :(

[Stuttgart88]

Dont turn up to Lansdowne on the 5th of September expecting Ireland to win. In fact I will bet 1 million Euro that the Senior Irish International Team will not beat France and Lansdowne Road on the 5th of September.
That's true Neill but I think Tarzan was referring to the year ('05) not the day!

[laurent]

2-1 or 0-3 :(

[Condex]

Player for player they are a much better team, in the past we did we'll against big teams by being well organised, hell of a work rate and having a set system of play.

Under Kerr we don't seem to have any of these :(

[Superhoops]

2-1 or 0-3 :(
Tend to agree, a scrappy 1-0 win or a drubbing by several goals.

[Volcán Masaya]

I don't feel optimistic either. Watching Cunningham and Dunne play this weekend made me even more nervous. Now, they both had decent games for their respective clubs, they're solid journeymen, but the lack of pace was so glaring. You can get away with that against the like of Man City and Brmgham strikers, but Cisse and Henry will have both of them for lunch.
And I can't see where our goals will come from. Maybe a screamer from Andy Reid. Don't think Robbie K will get much of a sniff. Duff will more than likely be out on the wing and won't have many scoring chances, unless we go with a Chelsea style 4-5-1/4-3-3, but we don't have the central midfield for that, nor the speedy right winger/forward a la Robben.

The thought of a French midfield composed of Viera/Makelele breaking up play and with Zidane sitting in front is scary.

I'd break the probablity down like this...
Irish win.... 20%
Draw........ 40%
French win 40%

[Stuttgart88]

And I can't see where our goals will come from. Maybe a screamer from Andy Reid. Don't think Robbie K will get much of a sniff. Duff will more than likely be out on the wing and won't have many scoring chances, unless we go with a Chelsea style 4-5-1/4-3-3, but we don't have the central midfield for that, nor the speedy right winger/forward a la Robben.

Duff on the wing makes us MORE likely to score goals in my opinion and I think we've got two very quick & dangerous wingers - Duff & Reid - who interchange in exactly the same way as Duff & Robben do, so I don't share your pessimism. Robbie & Clinton WILL get chances. Let's not get too pessimistic about this game. Recently we beat Portugal at home let's not forget.

Duff & Robben appear to have their flair being coached out of them at Chelsea. But the French should be wary of a free-flowing Duff in September.

[Stuttgart88]

And for those thinking that the return of the ageing French 3 will make an improvement certain, bear the following in mind (from The Times). Note that the article focusses on the French team & their future chances in general, not specifically in the context of the Irish game. Also, there's no certainty they'll all be fit or in form or even fully match sharp as Italian & Spanish seasons start later than England. Their equivalent of the Charity Shield was this weekend.

(I've highlighted in bold the points I think are most relevant).

Zidane lifeline could prove hard to grasp
By Gabriel Marcotti
A legend's return to the colours may end in tears

JORGE VALDANO ONCE REMARKED that with his weary, sunken features and powerful physique, Zinedine Zidane reminded him of a boxer. Indeed, there was something rather Rocky Balboaesque in the Frenchman’s decision to return to the international scene.
In Rocky IV, the eponymous Sylvester Stallone character witnesses his friend, Apollo Creed, get beaten to death in the ring by Ivan Drago, the fearsome Soviet amateur, and decides to return to the squared circle to exact his vengeance. In Zizou MMV, our hero, together with his pals, Claude Makelele and Lilian Thuram, rides back on to the scene to rescue Les Bleus from the embarrassment of missing out on the 2006 World Cup.


Last Wednesday, in Montpellier, France played Ivory Coast in a friendly and Act One of the script played out to perfection. Makelele slotted back into his usual watchdog role in front of the back four. Thuram, winning his 103rd cap, marshalled the defence majestically (at least until the 24th minute, when he came off injured). But there was no doubt who was the hero of the night. Zidane’s every touch, indeed his every shimmy, saunter and stare were greeted with rapturous applause.

The day after, the French press was filled with a celebration of the “Zidane Effect”. “The Light has Returned”, trumpeted L’Equipe. Thierry Henry summed up the prevailing mood when he said: “We have rediscovered our pace, our form and the pleasure of playing all together. Zizou brought us a great deal and we felt he was at ease with us.” Indeed, he looked extremely comfortable in the 3-0 thrashing of Ivory Coast. Yet the plain truth for France and Raymond Domenech, their embattled coach, is that things could well take a different turn when France return to competitive action next month in the World Cup qualifiers.

Les Bleus are in serious danger of watching the final stages of the competition on television, which is why Zidane’s return smacks of desperation. Their qualifying group was supposed to be a cakewalk: three minnows (the Faeroe Isles, Israel and Cyprus) and two average opponents (Switzerland and Ireland). Yet France lie fourth after a string of nightmare results. It has been more than a year since they won a competitive match against anyone other than Cyprus or the Faeroe Isles and they failed even to score at home against Ireland and Switzerland.

On the surface, Zidane and the other two musketeers bring an instant psychological lift. But their presence is bound to have a knock-on effect on the rest of the team.

For starters, it will be nearly impossible for Domenech to drop any of them, even if they lose form. After all, they are the heroes who came back for love of country. Of course, if they play to their ability there will be no need to contemplate such a thing. Yet Zidane and Thuram are 33 and Makelele is just a year younger. All three play for clubs who are likely to go deep into Champions League competition this year.Then there is the tactical issue. Thuram ’s presence in central defence forces William Gallas back in exile on the left flank (and we know how much he enjoys that). Makelele will partner Patrick Vieira, which means there is no room for the gifted Vikash Dhorasoo and Benôit Pedretti.
Having flopped out wide in Jacques Santini’s ill-conceived 4-4-2 system at Euro 2004, there is only one place for Zidane: in the hole. The question then becomes how do you fill the remaining three spots around him? Do you play Henry as a lone striker, with some combination of Jerome Rothen, Ludovic Giuly, Florent Malouda and Sylvain Wiltord out wide? If so, what happens to David Trezeguet, France’s only genuine centre forward and a man who, despite his injuries, has an absurdly prolific scoring record for both club (72 goals in 119 Serie A appearances for Juventus) and country (31 in 59 games), without a single free kick or penalty?

Or do you restore the Trezeguet-Henry partnership? In which case, you would have to add a third central midfield player and give up on wingers entirely, which is probably not a good idea since it means Gallas would have to cover the whole left flank on his own. The unpleasant truth is that France’s returning heroes are rather like gaudy wedding gifts from a mad aunt: you may not want to keep them around, but you have no choice because she’s coming over for dinner.
And it’s somewhat disturbing that of the three, the one who is most exposed is Zidane, who has blown hot and cold, both for Real Madrid and for France in the past few years. Sections of the Spanish press have accused him of not turning up against unglamorous opposition and Real acquired two more attacking midfield players over the summer — Júlio Baptista and Robinho — precisely because they plan to rotate Zidane in and out of the side.

Having said all that, you can’t help but commend Zidane and the others for putting themselves on the line. If France do not qualify for the World Cup, it will be a humiliation. And it’s far from an unthinkable possibility. France have four games left, two easy ones against Cyprus and the Faeroe Isles, and two tough trips to Switzerland and Ireland. If they fail to win at least one of those away matches, things will get very tricky indeed and even a play-off place becomes an unlikely proposition.

It would be an unpleasant end to the international career of three living legends. Still, the comeback worked for Rocky Balboa. Not only did he beat Ivan Drago, he got to deliver a speech about reconciliation and brotherhood. Then again, that was just a film . . .

[Cowboy]

Excellent article thanks for posting

[Stuttgart88]

You're welcome. If anyone has seen any other weekend articles from subscription sites such as The Tribune or The Examiner on Ireland can he/she pls post here? Alternatively, I'd be interested to hear the French reaction to the Ivory Coast win if anyone's based over there.

Let's face it, would we be getting all excited if we beat Ivory Coast 3-0 last Wednesday?

[Cowboy]

Let's face it, would we be getting all excited if we beat Ivory Coast 3-0 last Wednesday?

I would not be for sure and I think this result has in effect papered over the cracks in the French team