Predictions for the big Games

[Torn-Ado]

Jeez, i though I was a pessimist. If you're doing that reverse physcology thing, fair play to you.

Realistically we should hope for a win and a draw.

Realistically we should hope for that.

But we are brutal away from home and I'm not naive enough to believe that eveything is going to turn on its head over the next seven days.

Like the Irish teams we have seen over the last five or six years, they will sh!te their pants and come back home from the East without a point and out of the competeition. Thats my prediction anyways.

I hope I'm wrong.

[Irish_Praha]

I reckon it will be 3 or 4 points. A narrow win against Slovakia and a draw or a loss against the Czechs. It's just unthinkable that we could get 6 points. If we do lose against the Czechs I reckon it will only be by a goal or two and not a hammering. I can't see them being overly adventurous if they go 1-0 up. I reckon they will be happy to hold onto what they've got but might possibly nick a goal on the counter-attack if we are chasing the game. Actually I see a them going one nil up against the run of play mid way through the 1st half and then us coming out for the second half and throwing everything we have at them.
So my score predictions are:
1-0 in Slovakia
1-1 in CR

[Sligo Hornet]

We'll lose them both.

By one in Slovakia and a hammering in Prague.



???..:eek:.....can I have your tickets for Prague?.....seems a shame to waste them!:rolleyes:

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

I think we'll win 1-0 in Bratislava and draw 0-0 in Prague. Four points would be a great return for us. Six points is unthinkable.

[Paddy Garcia]

Jason Gavin, Graham Gartland, Barry Ferguson, Colin Hawkins, Alan Bennet.

Hold on a minute, they r Irish....my mistake

true - enough said.

[Fergie's Son]

We'll lose both I think. We just do not travel well.

Anyone know what time the match is (GMT) on Saturday?

[Stuttgart88]

I think we're turning a corner and have grounds for optimism in general but I'd be more confident if Finnan was definitely playing. I'm not sure we can put out a good enough central midfield to compete and defensive cover seems a bit bare. Kelly and/or Foley may have to step up to the plate, and even Gibson may have to be thrown in at the deep end.

My optimism is clouding my judgment. My heart says we'll be right up for it and we'll get at least 3 points, but deep down I think we'll draw in Slovakia but will lose to the Czechs.

[co. down green]

Beat the Slovak's 2-0. Keane tap in from close range after keeper fails to clear Andy Reid's rasping 25 yard volley & McShane header from corner, late in the second half to seal the 3 points.

1-1 against the Czech's. Go in front with a controversial penalty award after Steven Hunt goes down on the edge of the box. Late Czech equaliser after a mix up between O'shea & Kilbane lets Rosický in for an easy equaliser.

4 points, yes please.

[jjppc]

1-1 and er 1-1 isn't it always so ?

[Ordinary Fan]

Selection, attitude and Luck.

Selection may be in the lapp of the Gods due to injuries but Stan must be Brave in Midfield and give Reid 70 minutes to give ua a chance of winning.

The players must for get the past and believe they can win.

We also need a slice of Luck.

With these 3 we will win in Slovakia and at worst draw against the Czech's.

Other wise a draw and defeat

[billydoneit]

Jason Gavin, Graham Gartland, Barry Ferguson, Colin Hawkins, Alan Bennet.

Hold on a minute, they r Irish....my mistake:eek::eek:

That has to be a joke.

[danonion]

No one predicts us losing to the Slovaks and beating the Czechs? It could happen. Better than 4 points coming from a win against Slovakia and a draw against the Czechs.. Surely Slovaks are out of the hunt? Either way, Having watched Spurs a few times, Robbie is showing the ability to be a game winner in the eastern bloc.

**** the begrudgers and COME ON IRELAND

[Dallasirish]

dont see them really being a problem if we are firing on all cylinders. When we get to slovakia i think we will be surprised by there lack of interest in there national team and with us on our Summer holidays and roaring from the stands in big numbers it will translate into high tempo attacking play with a load o chances of which we will bang in two. Andy Reid and Keane involved in both.
Ireland 2 Slovakia 0

The momentum from the above game will roll down the tracks at 12.25 Monday to Prague. AFTER winning SIX games in a row the czechs (a team of auld fellas) will not know what hit them. Doyle ends his dodgy spell o form in prague with a goal after a long range effort from Andy reid that is spilled by "czech". We go radio rental in the stands and begin an agreesive savings plan for our 2nd ever appearance in the tournament after our 20 year absence.
The only thing missing in Austra will be England after under estimating our Jewish friends in Wembley.

Ireland 1-Czechs 0.
Isreal 1 - Engerland 0

Stan an International miracle worker
Mc Claren sacked

Come on Ireland!

[NeilMcD]

dont see them really being a problem if we are firing on all cylinders. When we get to slovakia i think we will be surprised by there lack of interest in there national team and with us on our Summer holidays and roaring from the stands in big numbers it will translate into high tempo attacking play with a load o chances of which we will bang in two. Andy Reid and Keane involved in both.
Ireland 2 Slovakia 0

The momentum from the above game will roll down the tracks at 12.25 Monday to Prague. AFTER winning SIX games in a row the czechs (a team of auld fellas) will not know what hit them. Doyle ends his dodgy spell o form in prague with a goal after a long range effort from Andy reid that is spilled by "czech". We go radio rental in the stands and begin an agreesive savings plan for our 2nd ever appearance in the tournament after our 20 year absence.
The only thing missing in Austra will be England after under estimating our Jewish friends in Wembley.

Ireland 1-Czechs 0.
Isreal 1 - Engerland 0

Stan an International miracle worker
Mc Claren sacked

Come on Ireland!

Did the Czechs not draw with the Welsh and lose to Germany not too long ago.

[Cymro]

I think it's clear from the general tone of Dallasirish's post that he's not living in the real world anyway, so it's hardly surprising to see him get his facts wrong. ;)

Yes, the Czechs drew against us.

[BaZmO*]

I think 4 points is essential. Could still qualify with less but it'd be nigh on impossible imo.



Secondly, I hope Israel do to England what they did to us. Im looking forward to some of the worst acting performances since my junior school christmas play. Hopefully by the time we kick off I will have managed to have a smug revenge on my friends who wound me up after our Lansdowne shambles in the 2-2 draw.
Paddy Power have Israel to win at 10-1 and the draw at 7-2 which are great odds considering how much the English are underestimating Israel.

I remember watching the build up for the Israel-v-England on BBC back in March and it was laughable to see how much they had the 3 points down as a formality. Israel certainly have the abilty to grind out results.

[Wolfie]

dont see them really being a problem if we are firing on all cylinders. When we get to slovakia i think we will be surprised by there lack of interest in there national team

Underestimating the Slovaks would be a fatal move. It's no longer about what you've done in the group so far - as opposed to what you're going to do between now and the end of November.

Germany, as Jim Bowen from Bullseye would say, "are safe". Therefore, its a race for second and until your mathematically out of it - you're going to compete.

I think the Slovakia game will be just as difficult for us as the Czeck game.

I'd expect the Slovaks to bombard us from the start with high tempo moves and a "shoot on site" policy that Eastern European sides have when playing at home.

Shay Given is going to be busy. It won't matter how creative a midfield we put out if we don't have the ball.

1 - 1 with the Slovaks (and lucky to get that).

The Slovak result will result in a "win or bust" tie with the Czechs.

Ireland to narrowly win, 2 - 1 following a hellish, Alamo style last 10 minutes.

That's my optimistic version!!!!! ;)

[Stuttgart88]

a "shoot on site" policy that Eastern European sides have when playing at home.They missed arrowly with a few long rangers at Croker.

[Supreme feet]

We should be able to grind out a win in Slovakia, but suspensions and injuries could hinder us in Prague. I'll say a 2-1 win in Bratislava and a 1-1 draw, after coming from behind, in Prague.

[Stuttgart88]

PRAGUE, Sept 5, 2007 (AFP) - Czech striker Milan Baros is
doubtful for the upcoming Euro 2008 Championship qualifiers against
San Marino and the Republic of Ireland after sustaining a back
injuring during training.
"We will see what the doctors say, and possibly we will at least
prepare him for the match against Ireland," Czech manager Karel
Bruckner said at a news conference.
The Czechs will confront minnows San Marino away on September 8
before hosting the Irish four days later in Prague.
The 25-year old former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker, now
playing with French champions Lyon, has been capped for his country
58 times and scored 31 goals.

[Sligo Hornet]

PRAGUE, Sept 5, 2007 (AFP) - Czech striker Milan Baros is
doubtful for the upcoming Euro 2008 Championship qualifiers against
San Marino and the Republic of Ireland after sustaining a back
injuring during training.
"We will see what the doctors say, and possibly we will at least
prepare him for the match against Ireland," Czech manager Karel
Bruckner said at a news conference.
The Czechs will confront minnows San Marino away on September 8
before hosting the Irish four days later in Prague.
The 25-year old former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker, now
playing with French champions Lyon, has been capped for his country
58 times and scored 31 goals.

I wonder if he hurt his back trying to "lift his attitude";)

[RogerMilla]

1-1 and er 1-1 isn't it always so ?

i would happily settle for that although a 2-2 with the czechs would be better for the head to head..

[ken foree]

I wonder if he hurt his back trying to "lift his attitude";)

he'd need a jcb! but seriously 31 in 58 games is excellent for an international striker.

[carloz]

Everyone is talking about getting 3 points against the Slovaks and 1 against the Czechs as a good weeks work. Generally it wouldnt but we ****ed awa y any chance of that in Nicosia. plain and simple we have to beat the Czechs, a draw or loss against the Czechs and we are gone IMO. I feel we could qualify even if we lose in bratislava but win in Prague. yes Slovakia still have San marino to play twice but its hard to see them being there come the last set of matches. id love to know what the opinion is among the czech population now. They were talking about sacking the coach a few months back while their players were off visiting prostitutes. The Czechs are a finished side and are not a patch on the side that terrorised so many team between 2000-2005. Building them up will gain us noting, we have to realise we are playing two distinctily average sides. Deep deep down i cant see 6 points happening though :( I feel a dreadful mistake or a terrible piece of luck against us will cost us 2 points in Prague

[Stuttgart88]

Which is better: 4 points including a win in Slovakia, or only 3 but winning in Prague?

It's probably the latter isn't it?

[carloz]

Which is better: 4 points including a win in Slovakia, or only 3 but winning in Prague?

It's probably the latter isn't it?

IMO getting three against the Czechs. That would turn it into a 3 horse race for second but if we do our business we should get there. If we drop points in Prague then Second place is the Czechs to throw away

[Stuttgart88]

Agreed, though the Slovaks really need max points from here, including a win in Czech Rep. If we win in Slovakia and lose in Czech Rep at least it pretty much knocks Slovakia out of it.

If that happens, we can still overtake Czechs by beating Germany (and winning the others) at home and hoping Czechs don't beat Germany.

[Curtains]

In my opinion I think we will get a draw in slovakia, more than likely a 1-1 draw with a flukey goal from a set-piece from o'shea or dunne. Having not played well then the support in prague brings an unthinkable win and then the 4 points(a win over the czechs rather then the slovakians is what is required to leave us in a better position. A 1-1 draw or a 0-0 draw against the czechs and its over anyway IMO) will leave us in a super position and its bring on the germans!! Must go and pack!!!:D

[Paddy Garcia]

I'd worry that Stan would make a silly selection but with Andy Reid on the form he's on and a very clinical front pairing in Keane and Doyle and hell, can you ask for a better defence than Dunne and Given? They shouldn't get anything less than 6 points. They just need confidence in themselves.

Doyle is very off form though. Hopefully he wil turn it around, but the omens are not good.

[The Legend]

Doyle is very off form though. Hopefully he wil turn it around, but the omens are not good.


Yeah, no confidence at the moment. I'd be tempted to throw Keogh up with Keane... very tempted.

[IsMiseSean]

I'd love to say 4 points, but i reckon we'll only manage 1 and that will come against the Czechs, i cant see us scoring
0-2 and 0-0 (MOM Shay Given)

[Ordinary Fan]

I am off in the morning and putting on the green colored glasses.

2:1 in bratislava
1:0 in prague

Madness!

[Littlest Hobo]

I'm sticking my long neck out and saying 1-0 victory over slovakia. They are missing about 4 experienced players, who have played throughout the campaign. Even with Carr and Finnan out, we have enough in defense to stop what little attack they have.
Reckon it'll be a 0-0 stalemate in prague. This will favour the czechs on head to head, but there will still be chance with another 9 points to play for.

[tetsujin1979]

football365's take on things: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8750_2709601,00.html

Group D - The End For Stan's Brave Boys?
This weekend could spell trouble for Ireland.

Already lagging behind thanks to that shambolic 5-2 loss to Cyprus in October, Steve Staunton's men face a mother of a struggle in this round of games, with tricky trips to both sides of Czechoslovakia.

While they struggle to a draw or narrow win against Slovakia, the Czech Republic will be filling their boots in San Marino, who have shipped an impressive 37 goals in their seven games, scoring just the one (against Ireland, natch).

And if that wasn't enough, Stan will drag his motley crew to Prague to play the Czechs, a game which could leave them seven points off qualification with three games remaining.

It really isn't looking good for the Irish. In past years they could cling on to third place and sneak in through the play-offs, but that route has been scuppered this time by that pesky dual-hosting business, as both Austria and Switzerland will stroll in to the finals without qualifying.

Germany sit atop the group with 19 points, and they can't mathematically qualify in this round (they play just once while the rest line up twice), but if results go their way then only an epic feat of goalscoring from Ireland (stop laughing) can halt their progress.

[billybunter]

They missed arrowly with a few long rangers at Croker.

80% of those shots were taken by vittek - who is out on saturday.

[theworm2345]

Of course Tony Cascerino and David Connolly are a better Partnership than Doyle and Keane.
Finally someone agrees with me ;) (at least you spelled Connolly right, which still befuddles me how people on this site can get that name wrong (also Morrison, but that is a little more understandable), Cascarino is the correct way though :))

Connolly is a dick
Thought that was rather unnecessary, liked the other parts of that little passage though...anyway on to the topic. 0-3 against the Czechs with Koller scoring and Rosicky getting 2, 1-0 over the Slovaks with a goal from John O'Shea (don't ask me why).

Doyle is very off form though. Hopefully he wil turn it around, but the omens are not good.
I'm very worried about Doyle too, he scored against Slovakia last year during a rough patch maybe he can do it again...don't think he will in either of these games as I said up there though. I'd certain have him over Long still anyday though

[youngirish]

I'd be a lot more confident with Finnan in the team to be honest. Our full backs are pretty poor and this could cost us. Kelly is quite prone to making mistakes and JOS as we all know is shocking for Ireland. Hopefully Finnan recovers for the Czechs and is fit to play.

Have the Slovaks got any decent players in the wide positions does anyone know?

[Stuttgart88]

Have the Slovaks got any decent players in the wide positions does anyone know?
I think that’s a key question.

It’s all well & good to say pick our best XI and go for it, but with a rookie full back on either side and with lightweights ahead of them on the wing we could be inviting trouble. With Finnan out, it makes the task quite a bit harder if they have good wide players.

My recollection in Dublin was that most of their attacking was through the middle. They used the width of the pitch moving the ball around but any efforts on goal were the result of shots or through balls.

In fact I thought they looked vulnerable out wide. Duff played really well and Hunt caused problems when he came on. McGeady got plenty of the ball but didn’t use it well.

I also thought they were vulnerable from set pieces. We scored from a wide free kick and nearly scored when Long’s header from a Hunt corner was cleared off the line.

[ifk101]

I think that’s a key question.

It’s all well & good to say pick our best XI and go for it, but with a rookie full back on either side and with lightweights ahead of them on the wing we could be inviting trouble. With Finnan out, it makes the task quite a bit harder if they have good wide players.

My recollection in Dublin was that most of their attacking was through the middle. They used the width of the pitch moving the ball around but any efforts on goal were the result of shots or through balls.

In fact I thought they looked vulnerable out wide. Duff played really well and Hunt caused problems when he came on. McGeady got plenty of the ball but didn’t use it well.

I also thought they were vulnerable from set pieces. We scored from a wide free kick and nearly scored when Long’s header from a Hunt corner was cleared off the line.

I thought that Finnan was our weak spot against the Slovaks in Dublin. Seemed he cut in from a left full position on his right foot every time he tried to clear the ball out of defence. This resulted in a hurried clearance down the middle of the pitch and hence why most of the Slovak attacking was through the middle.

Our best player is a winger so I always feel that when Duff gets the ball there is an element of panic in the opposition, regardless of who we are playing.

[tetsujin1979]

I think that’s a key question.

It’s all well & good to say pick our best XI and go for it, but with a rookie full back on either side and with lightweights ahead of them on the wing we could be inviting trouble. With Finnan out, it makes the task quite a bit harder if they have good wide players.

My recollection in Dublin was that most of their attacking was through the middle. They used the width of the pitch moving the ball around but any efforts on goal were the result of shots or through balls.

In fact I thought they looked vulnerable out wide. Duff played really well and Hunt caused problems when he came on. McGeady got plenty of the ball but didn’t use it well.

I also thought they were vulnerable from set pieces. We scored from a wide free kick and nearly scored when Long’s header from a Hunt corner was cleared off the line.
They seemed to tire a lot late on as well, Hunt broke and crossed for Long on the far post and it went over.

[greendeiseboy]

Hate to be a pessimist but 0-0 tomorrow and 4-0 to the czechs on wednesday.

Sorry

[ofjames]

football365's take on things: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8750_2709601,00.html


Group D - The End For Stan's Brave Boys?
This weekend could spell trouble for Ireland.

Already lagging behind thanks to that shambolic 5-2 loss to Cyprus in October, Steve Staunton's men face a mother of a struggle in this round of games, with tricky trips to both sides of Czechoslovakia.

While they struggle to a draw or narrow win against Slovakia, the Czech Republic will be filling their boots in San Marino, who have shipped an impressive 37 goals in their seven games, scoring just the one (against Ireland, natch).

And if that wasn't enough, Stan will drag his motley crew to Prague to play the Czechs, a game which could leave them seven points off qualification with three games remaining.

It really isn't looking good for the Irish. In past years they could cling on to third place and sneak in through the play-offs, but that route has been scuppered this time by that pesky dual-hosting business, as both Austria and Switzerland will stroll in to the finals without qualifying.

Germany sit atop the group with 19 points, and they can't mathematically qualify in this round (they play just once while the rest line up twice), but if results go their way then only an epic feat of goalscoring from Ireland (stop laughing) can halt their progress.

Stan's brave boys? His motley crew?.... The continued arrogance of the british press is astonishing. They refer to us like a team of paralympians, not professional athletes.

Besides, the claim regarding Ireland 'clinging on to 3rd place' is factually incorrect. When has 3rd place ever been awarded a playoff??

Also, the disappearance of the playoff system has absolutely nothing to do with the dual-hosting. Afterall, didnt we lose to Turkey in a playoff for Euro 2000 in Belgium/Netherlands. The dropping of the playoff route is due to the drawing of 7/8 team groups instead of 5/6 team groups, meaning less groups are required, thus allowing each group to be awarded 2 qualifying spots as opposed to 1.5 spots.

Furthermore, I reckon 365 should take a closer look at our recent record in qualifying tournaments before making such lazy comments.

For Euro 2000, in Group 8 (the group of death containing Yugoslavia & Croatia) we finished just a point behind Yugoslavia, and would have topped the group by a point if not for Macedonia's injury time goal in the last minute of the final game of our campaign.

For WC 2002, in Group 2 (again the group of death containing Holland and Portugal) we finished joint top on points, finishing second only be virtue of goal difference.

For WC 2006, only for the two f*ck up's against israel, two games we undoubtedly should have won, we would have topped group 4 by four points with only 3 games left.

[Wolfie]

Stan's brave boys? His motley crew?.... The continued arrogance of the british press is astonishing. They refer to us like a team of paralympians, not professional athletes.

Besides, the claim regarding Ireland 'clinging on to 3rd place' is factually incorrect. When has 3rd place ever been awarded a playoff??

Also, the disappearance of the playoff system has absolutely nothing to do with the dual-hosting. Afterall, didnt we lose to Turkey in a playoff for Euro 2000 in Belgium/Netherlands. The dropping of the playoff route is due to the drawing of 7/8 team groups instead of 5/6 team groups, meaning less groups are required, thus allowing each group to be awarded 2 qualifying spots as opposed to 1.5 spots.

Furthermore, I reckon 365 should take a closer look at our recent record in qualifying tournaments before making such lazy comments.

For Euro 2000, in Group 8 (the group of death containing Yugoslavia & Croatia) we finished just a point behind Yugoslavia, and would have topped the group by a point if not for Macedonia's injury time goal in the last minute of the final game of our campaign.

For WC 2002, in Group 2 (again the group of death containing Holland and Portugal) we finished joint top on points, finishing second only be virtue of goal difference.

For WC 2006, only for the two f*ck up's against israel, two games we undoubtedly should have won, we would have topped group 4 by four points with only 3 games left.

Good points - its not as if England haven't got it all to do themselves.

[billybunter]

Hate to be a pessimist but 0-0 tomorrow and 4-0 to the czechs on wednesday.

Sorry

change that to handleto 'orangeDeiseboy"

[as_i_say]

I noticed that paddypower bet for 10/1 israel win last night-put a few quid on them to win (even though still hate the baxtards for their cheating antics 2 years ago).

[gustavo]

draw with slovakia
lose to czech rep

[greendeiseboy]

change that to handleto 'orangeDeiseboy"

in the words of another "great irishman" ....never, never, never

[Stuttgart88]

RTE says the pitch is in terrible nick, raining for 2 days

[billybunter]

I noticed that paddypower bet for 10/1 israel win last night-put a few quid on them to win (even though still hate the baxtards for their cheating antics 2 years ago).

took a bit of that myself... - with a 28/1 double with the boys in green.

[ken foree]

Stan's brave boys? His motley crew?.... The continued arrogance of the british press is astonishing. They refer to us like a team of paralympians, not professional athletes.

i'm with you but F365 is a bit more tabloidy than other sites. guardian had a decent piece on mcshane's similarity to kevin moran earlier in the week.