Will Ireland Qualify for WC2010??

[Hibernian]

Do you guys think we will be seeing South Africa in 2 years time at this stage?

Personally I think we can do it but me thinks it will be through the play-offs.

What are your reasons for thinking we will/wont get there??

All opinions welcome and what do you think needs to be changed for us to be successful in reaching our fourth World Cup??

[Greenforever]

Do you guys think we will be seeing South Africa in 2 years time at this stage?

Personally I think we can do it but me thinks it will be through the play-offs.

What are your reasons for thinking we will/wont get there??

All opinions welcome and what do you think needs to be changed for us to be successful in reaching our fourth World Cup??


Yes we will qualify as it's so far away....

Seriously we need to tighten up our defence and learn how to defend a 1-0 lead when neccessesary.

This I believe will be Trap's strong point.

We have a lot of potential goalscorers and Im confident that we will score in all our qualifiers with the exceptions of Italy & Bulgaria away.

I can see us off to a flyer with 12 points on the board before the critical double header of Bulgaria home and Italy away next March / April. A home win there would be huge.

I reckon we should get 2nd spot and an outside chance of winning the group. Remember our managment team are made up of winners and to them 2nd will be failure if they don't win a play off.

[seanog2001]

i reckon we can qualify alright but its going to take alot of effort and a vast improvement in front of goal at both ends Trapp will sort the defence out its the strikers we should worry about when they fail to score where do the goals come from??

Also people seem to be underestimating how hard a group this actually is Montenegro are no pushovers and they are bottom seeds also Bulgaria have some excellent players the two petrovs and berbatov if will dont qualify it will be deemed failure but its going to take a lot of effort and a hell alot of luck

[Kingdom]

As far as I'm concerned its all about how we do against Bulgaria and Italy. Primarily Bulgaria.
Obviously its all about what the players do on the pitch, but I really feel we've a manager who will instill a positive attitude into our players against the lesser nations.

what would worry me is that Kerr tried to instill a professional approach in the squad and ultimately it backfired with players sniping to the press.

[Hibernian]

Yes we will qualify as it's so far away....

I reckon we should get 2nd spot and an outside chance of winning the group. Remember our managment team are made up of winners and to them 2nd will be failure if they don't win a play off.

Great point I was thinking the same thing there.

Our Management team wont be just happy to get to the World Cup they will want 1/4 final at best and I think that winning attitude that they have can only help Ireland in the short term.

[bellavistaman]

yes,. if he doesnt do what stan did, if he can get robbie and duffer back to their best, and id love to see a midfield with the creativity of a reid and S. Ireland with steven reid or carsley sweeping up. 3-5-2 the way to go IMO.

[Greenforever]

Great point I was thinking the same thing there.

Our Management team wont be just happy to get to the World Cup they will want 1/4 final at best and I think that winning attitude that they have can only help Ireland in the short term.

One of only 2 tournaments Trap has not won, the other being the Euro championships, I reckon he honestly believes we can win the Euros. If that mentality gets through to the players it is possible, look at Denmark and Greece.

[bwagner]

I think we will see a lot of our players shine and sure there true potenial ..Hunt , Dolye ,Mc Geady, Kelly and the like , we need Ireland back for goals and the extra option of a quality ball player. The like of Finnan , Dunne and Kiely will be vital .I cant see shay playing in many of the 1st games. So Kielys return is a pure godsend,He is a quality keeper who has been there and done that.
Who knows what other players may emerge in this campaign ..somebody like Hoolihan or Rowlands can never be ruled out.
The 1st two games are so important and i think max points will be taken.

[Hibernian]

I think a key will be the fact that Trapattoni will want to win all games. He wont be going to Italy and Bulgaria and looking to play for draws (of course he will take them) but his attitude will be to try and win and settle for point if needs be.

[jbyrne]

think we can make the play offs but not convinced we will qualify i'm afraid. we have a good management in place but that guarantees nothing if we simply dont have the players. hope i'm wrong obviously

[Morbo]

Definitely maybe. I'd give us a little better than a 3-1 shot, maybe rising to 2-1 if we get Finnan and O'Brien back, I expect us to be competitive, with us and Bulgaria competing for the 2nd spot all the way to the last game, I'd be very surprised if we were effectively eliminated with 3 games to go again.

[Kingdom]

I cant see shay playing in many of the 1st games. So Kielys return is a pure godsend,He is a quality keeper who has been there and done that.


First and foremost I want to say how much I respect Shay Given as a keeper and that I'm glad he is our #1.
But, when it emerged a while back that he took umberage at being dropped for friendlies and made his feelings known about this to the relevant managers I have to say I was surprised and to be honest, angered.
Who the fcuk has the right to dictate to any manager who should play or who should not play in a friendly. For one it contributed to Kiely retiring early. Shay is our number 1 and I'd imagine the other gk's would readily admit this, but friendlies are for testing out alternatives.

[Razors left peg]

Ive never be so excited with our potential going into a qualifying campaign.I do think Italy, Bulgaria and Montenegro are good teams with some top players but I think they are all vunerable too, and we have some top players ourselves. Berberatov is obvious quality but Robbie has more goals and more assists than him for Spurs. The majority of out first team will be Premiership players and I dont see why facing players from an inferior Serie A should hold any fears for them when they are used to coming up against some of the best players in the world week in and week out.Also as has being said already on here we have a management team of real winners.

[Greenforever]

First and foremost I want to say how much I respect Shay Given as a keeper and that I'm glad he is our #1.
But, when it emerged a while back that he took umberage at being dropped for friendlies and made his feelings known about this to the relevant managers I have to say I was surprised and to be honest, angered.
Who the fcuk has the right to dictate to any manager who should play or who should not play in a friendly. For one it contributed to Kiely retiring early. Shay is our number 1 and I'd imagine the other gk's would readily admit this, but friendlies are for testing out alternatives.


while i understand where you are coming from, the other side is his desire to play for his country. if we had more like him!

[carloz]

I have this horrible horrible feeling that we will be the team that finished second but doesnt get into the playoffs

[Greenforever]

I have this horrible horrible feeling that we will be the team that finished second but doesnt get into the playoffs

dont go there

[Paulie]

I reckon that we'll end up second to Italy. No great revelation there I know. I also think that Montenegro will have a big say in the outcome of this group. The only reason they are a bottom seed is because they are a newly established independent state so they haven't yet played competitive games. Having had a quick look at their squad it seems as though the majority of their players play in Eastern Europe while they also have a few players in the likes of Italy, Portugal and France etc. I think a combination of the pride they will have in being able to compete as an independent nation in WC qualifiers for the first time and also having some pretty handy players is going to make things very difficult for teams travelling to Montenegro. I know that on the back of the last campaign that some people are saying Cyprus will probably end up 4th in the group but I full expect Montenegro to end up either 3rd or 4th. At least Bulgaria have to go there in their first home competitive match. I'm not trying to make them out to be World beaters or anything, I just think that particularly at home, they are going to cause teams a lot of problems.

http://www.fscg.cg.yu/en/igraci.php?sel=1

[Bungle]

Georgia 1 Ireland 2
Montenegro 0 Ireland 0
Ireland 2 Cyprus 0
Ireland 2 Georgia 1
Ireland 1 Montenegro 0
Ireland 2 Bulgaria 1
Bulgaria 0 Ireland 0
Cyprus 1 Ireland 1
Ireland 0 Italy 1
Italy 2 Ireland 0

total 18 points.

My prediction should see Ireland go through to the play off. Who we get will determine whether we qualify.

Italy will win the group easily enough, though they could drop points to someone like montenegro. Bulgaria and ourselves will slug it out, but overall I think we are the better team. Many of their players play in the Bulgarian, russian and turkish leagues, while by and large our lads play in the premiership.

could really see montengro being a complete banana skin and the trips to georgia and cyprus will be uncomfortable.

[zenokelly]

To qualify we can't afford many injuries, if any in defense throughout the campaign. However injuries are always inevitable but to lose Dunne for even 1game could be extremely harmful. I hesitate to think about what our central defense woulkd be up to without him in there, and with the risk that A O Brien won't return.

By the way I would be very happy with a good 4 points from our opening double header and hopefully that will put us on our way.

[back of the net]

To qualify we can't afford many injuries, if any in defense throughout the campaign. However injuries are always inevitable but to lose Dunne for even 1game could be extremely harmful. I hesitate to think about what our central defense woulkd be up to without him in there, and with the risk that A O Brien won't return.

By the way I would be very happy with a good 4 points from our opening double header and hopefully that will put us on our way.

agree with that - defensive injuries will make us or break us

And for the players to actually go out and play against the smaller nations and beat them home and away without making a complete f**k up of it.

Also depends on italys performance in the euro's - european success on top of the world cup win would surely mean a lot of retirments from their side and them coming into the WC quals with less experience.

But all in all - we will qualify i think.

[micls]

Hopefully cos I'm going :)

[back of the net]

Hopefully cos I'm going :)

we are all going mate


come on ireland

[stojkovic]

Georgia 1 Ireland 2
Montenegro 0 Ireland 0
Ireland 2 Cyprus 0
Ireland 2 Georgia 1
Ireland 1 Montenegro 0
Ireland 2 Bulgaria 1
Bulgaria 0 Ireland 0
Cyprus 1 Ireland 1
Ireland 0 Italy 1
Italy 2 Ireland 0

total 18 points.

My prediction should see Ireland go through to the play off. Who we get will determine whether we qualify.


If we drop 12 points we'll be lucky to make the play-offs.

[FarBeag]

I think we have a wonderful chance once we can get the team right and keep the main players fit. If we get Finnan and O' Brien back to partner Dunne and Kilbane/Delaney at the back. Keep the two Reid’s and McGeady fit. Get Duff back on form and get Robbie doing what he does best then we have a great chance. Can’t wait for the upcoming friendlys.

[Qwerty]

If we are lucky with injuries and Trapp can tighten up the team defensively and minimize our weaknesses then we have a shot. I think we can get back to the level that Kerr had us at in the last WC campaign - and if we can add a bit of luck and composure then we can do it.

Dunne & Keane really need to show better leadership and guidance on the field, frankly I think neither is a great leader but they will be the guys who influence the team most. I think a lot depends on them.

[elroy]

Georgia 1 Ireland 2
Montenegro 0 Ireland 0
Ireland 2 Cyprus 0
Ireland 2 Georgia 1
Ireland 1 Montenegro 0
Ireland 2 Bulgaria 1
Bulgaria 0 Ireland 0
Cyprus 1 Ireland 1
Ireland 0 Italy 1
Italy 2 Ireland 0

total 18 points.

My prediction should see Ireland go through to the play off. Who we get will determine whether we qualify.

Italy will win the group easily enough, though they could drop points to someone like montenegro. Bulgaria and ourselves will slug it out, but overall I think we are the better team. Many of their players play in the Bulgarian, russian and turkish leagues, while by and large our lads play in the premiership.

could really see montengro being a complete banana skin and the trips to georgia and cyprus will be uncomfortable.


Agree with most of this but if we are to qualify we cant lose to Italy at home so need a draw there and i think we'll beat cyprus away, with revenge very much on the cards.

[Morbo]

i think we'll beat cyprus away, with revenge very much on the cards.
Don't talk like that, remember what happened the last time Stan and Keane talked about getting revenge on Cyprus?

Anywho its a tough task for Trap, I can see us doing well at home but we have been brutal away from home for a long time now, 1st game against Georga away I feel will be crucial if we are going to change this losing menality away from home

[Hibernian]

Agree with most of this but if we are to qualify we cant lose to Italy at home so need a draw there and i think we'll beat cyprus away, with revenge very much on the cards.

I think we will beat Gerogia away and at home. I agree also think we will beat Cyprus this time around as we will be organised much better this time around. I think we have to get 4 points from Bulgaria to be honest this will be vital.

We have to at least beat Italy at least once if we want to top the group maybe two draws will do also. This might be a bridge too far I would take play-off right now if I was given it.

[Kingdom]

I think we will beat Gerogia away and at home. I agree also think we will beat Cyprus this time around as we will be organised much better this time around. I think we have to get 4 points from Bulgaria to be honest this will be vital.

We have to at least beat Italy at least once if we want to top the group maybe two draws will do also. This might be a bridge too far I would take play-off right now if I was given it.

This is a good post. I'm not disappointed we've drawn Cyprus again. Hopefully it will show whether or not the mindset amongst the players has changed.
I think Trapattoni has indictated that professionalism is required while making the players feel less pressure also, a halfway house between the last two managers. He definitely made reference to giving them small concise info on opponents rather than subjecting them to hours of footage.
I'm hopeful for this campaign but thats all it is, hope.

[Bungle]

for me, the first games against georgia and montenegro are crucial. if we were to get 6 points (i expect 4) then I would fancy us to beat Cyprus away.

Also, I do feel we are due a really huge win; ie beating Bulgaria away or beating italy at home. I didn't put these type of results in my predictions, but I think with a guy like Trap, were we to get an early lead we would have the discipline to hold on.

[Hibernian]

Also, I do feel we are due a really huge win; ie beating Bulgaria away or beating italy at home. I didn't put these type of results in my predictions, but I think with a guy like Trap, were we to get an early lead we would have the discipline to hold on.

I know our away record is bad (ok shocking) but as you say we are due an away win sooner rather then later and I think it may just come against Bulgaria and why not.

Bulgaria are no world-beaters by any means, it will be difficult to beat them but I think they will say the same about us when they come to Croker. This is where I think the Trapattoni factor will come in big time he will look at games like this and set out the game plan to get results and hopefully nick a win at places like Bulgaria rather then setting out just to hope for a draw.

We actually do have the players to do a good job even if some play in Championship in England. We just have to look at teams like Czech Republic who would have players playing in some cases lower leagues and standards then our boys here and they can go to Germany and win 3-0.

A little self belief I think is what our players need and maybe we now have people in charge who can provide that which we have not had since Big Jacks days.

[Colbert Report]

A large number of things will have to go our way in order for us to be successful in qualification. First off, we need to avoid major injuries to our key players of Dunne, Hunt, the two Reids, Carsley, and Keane. I've given up on Duff at this point, sad to say.

Clearly we need to aim for second place and hope that Italy can clear the table. This is even more important that us beating the minnows. If Italy can take six points off Bulgaria and we can nick a draw at home against the mob then we'll be alright I think.

The third, and most important thing, is avoiding the embarassment we suffered at the hands of Cyprus last time out. We can't afford to lose to anyone except Italy and we must get at least two points off of the Bulgarians.

I'd love to seem Trap blood one or two young players, but no more than that. I think he should call up young Jamie McCarthy from Hamilton and let us see what all the fuss is about. We need to cap him while we can, he must be under tremendous pressure to switch to Scotland.

[Philbert]

Simply, no

[Emmet]

It's too early to tell what sort of an impact Trapp will have as we have not even had any friendlies under him yet. We need two or three competitve matches before we'll have some idea. Please don't anyone underestimate Cyprus - they've embarrassed us already and are a better side than many people give them credit for; if we disrespect them again, then we will get turned over again. As to whether or not we will qualify - we definitely have the talent to make the playoffs but the manager really does need to make a very positive impact before that becomes a realistic possibility. As someone has already said, I am hopeful but nothing more (right now).

[Torn-Ado]

Third again. We don't have enough leadership in the middle of the field to win the big games.

[Paddy Garcia]

Remember our managment team are made up of winners and to them 2nd will be failure if they don't win a play off.

Our players are in the main losers.

If they finish above Cyprus they will have done outstandingly well for the level they are at. Above Montenegro even better.

[Hibernian]

Our players are in the main losers.

If they finish above Cyprus they will have done outstandingly well for the level they are at. Above Montenegro even better.

Yep I take that beating Montenegro and Cyprus into first place will do fine thanks.

[SkStu]

while i think Paddy Garcia is a wee bit over the top in his projection i do believe that we need to be realistic of our quality and prospects for this campaign. I think a close third may be the most realistic result. Anything better and Trap has worked wonders.

[jmurphyc]

We can qualify for the tournament, but we're going to need an awful lot of good fortune to do so IMO. There are so many factors riding against us. I don't mean to have a go at the man again, and it's not all his own fault but Staunton really did leave the team in an awful state. We have very little back up for the defence, and very little back up players in attack who play regularly.

However, the most alarming thing for me is the lack of partnerships that his stewardship produced. Under Kerr we had an extremely stable squad and first eleven - perhaps too stable - but now we have very little continuity and there are no players who have played that much together. The amount of different players we used in each position has left us with far too many weak options and not a lot of good ones.

Trapattoni has a massive job on his hand, and if we do qualify it will be a wonderful achievement by him. That said though, we do have quality within our ranks and it is achievable if we go about things the right way.

[Greenforever]

Our players are in the main losers.

If they finish above Cyprus they will have done outstandingly well for the level they are at. Above Montenegro even better.


So Stan was a good manager it was just the players, why did we bother replacing him??

No disrespect you're a pessimist.

My Projections


Italy Home Draw Away Draw 2 pts
Bulgaria Home Win Away Loss 3 pts
Montenego Home Win Away Draw 4 pts
Cyprus Homw Win Away Win 6 pts
Georgia Home Win Away Win 6 pts

Total 21 points

[Paddy Garcia]

So Stan was a good manager it was just the players, why did we bother replacing him??

No disrespect you're a pessimist.


No worries, no offence taken. I'm an optimist, I have watched every Irish game in the last x number years, so I must be one. :D

Anyway Stan was total crap, worst manager I have seen anywhere & at any time. In any sport. The funny thing is usually when you get two negatives you get a positive :confused:

[SkStu]

Wonders??? Bulgaria Georgia Montenegro and Cyprus.. To finish above these to you is wonders??? I expect it. And why shouldn't we? Up your expectation level man for God's sake.

yes, to finish second and qualify for the WC would be a super achievement by Trap and the players. I have a feeling this is what may happen but im jst warning people against getting so carried away that they dont look at things with perspective. Sure we have an experienced manager who has seen it all and we have some good prospects but i think that the 2012 Euro Champs and the 2014 World Cup would be a more realistic target. Put it this way, i would "expect" to qualify for 2012 or 2014 more so than 2010.

Compare the quality of player now to that which got us to 90, 94 and 02. Its not even close. Qualifying for a WC from Europe is no easy task and for Trap and the players to do so would be working wonders. Why do you expect it?

maybe i should up my expectation levels but you need definitely need to be more realistic.

[Paddy Garcia]

Compare the quality of player now to that which got us to 90, 94 and 02. Its not even close. Qualifying for a WC from Europe is no easy task and for Trap and the players to do so would be working wonders. Why do you expect it?


Correct. Such is the gulf in class the 90 - 94 teams might even beat the current lads if they were to pull themselves out of their wheelchairs.

[boovidge]

i reckon we'll come third behind bulgaria. I don't think we'll get six points from the two early away games. I'd love to be proved wrong though especially as this is the first campaign i'll be able to go to all the home games and possibly some away too.

[Hibernian]

[QUOTE=Ruben Sosa;944846]I tell you why I expect it. Name 5 players playing for Bulgaria? Montenegro? Cyprus? Georgia? That's why... We have a starting 11 playing football in England and Scotland and mixing it week in week out with the top players from around Europe. QUOTE]

I tend to agree with this comment.

There is nothing that we should feel fearful about in this group other then Italy. I think second place is something that Ireland can achieve and I would be disappointed if they did not get it.

However every other team will feel the same way. This looks like a very open group and as someone pointed out I just hope we dont end up as the worst placed second team. Kick in the nuts if thats the case.

[finnpark]

My top 3 prediction;

1. Bulgaria
2. Italy
3. Ireland

I think a lot of people are under estimating the Bulgarians. If Trap gets this team to the world cup it will become a new wonder of the world.

I think Italy will exit the world cup early.

[finnpark]

My top 3 prediction;

1. Bulgaria
2. Italy
3. Ireland

I think a lot of people are under estimating the Bulgarians. If Trap gets this team to the world cup it will become a new wonder of the world.

I think Italy will exit the world cup early.

meant to say Euros, Italy will exit euros early at the hands of France.

My predictions: Ireland to pick up home draws against Bulgaria and Italy and nothing else against those two teams.

[youngirish]

Third place again though by a far smaller margin. I haven't seen anything playerwise to suggest that we can substantially reverse the decline in our fortunes over the previous 6 years.

However I do see a gradual improvement under Trap during the next campaign which let's be honest would be the least we should expect after our last manager.

Maybe at best we could make a playoff though we'll struggle to beat anyone we're likely to face over 2 legs (unless we get lucky again with the draw as we did with Iran in 2001).

[FarBeag]

meant to say Euros, Italy will exit euros early at the hands of France.

My predictions: Ireland to pick up home draws against Bulgaria and Italy and nothing else against those two teams.


Fairly pessimistic view but many of your posts are in relation to Irelands prospects in any sort of competition. I am sure you have supported Ireland for a while so I will ask you two questions. Have you ever been optimistic of Ireland winning anything or reaching a major tournament even in the good auld days? Do you think we will ever reach one again and if so/not, reasons for both and how you would change this so as to a achieve some sort of positive?

[SkStu]

I tell you why I expect it. Name 5 players playing for Bulgaria? Montenegro? Cyprus? Georgia? That's why... We have a starting 11 playing football in England and Scotland and mixing it week in week out with the top players from around Europe. We have a top quality manager to get the very best out of those players. I expect us to finish 2nd but maybe just maybe pip Italy for 1st. Am I being too ambitious?? Perhaps. But I'd rather be that than a pessimist.

its also fair to presume that your average Joe Montenegro, Joe Bulgaria and Johnny Georgia football fan havent heard of more than 5 of our current squad either and to suggest that it would be otherwise is completely and utterly deluded. Dont kid youreslf.

Essentially, we're reading from the same page Ruben as, if you read my post, i said i have a hunch we could come second (due to the guile of Trap).

NOT, i repeat, NOT due to the players we have. We have no right to "expect" to qualify for ANY world cup. Not with the current crop anyway.

edit: so, what makes me a pessimist then considering i think we may take second place? Sorry man, im a realist. I dont think we have the calibre of player that allows me to "expect" that we should qualify. To qualify would be working wonders.