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Simple question, through some bargain with whatever deity of Evil you happen to worship, you find a way to guarantee the outcome of a draw VS Italy (without the pesky loss of your immortal soul).
Do you take the point, and almost certainly second spot and a play off, or leave it open to chance and the possibility of a loss, or a win?
Yay, or nay?
Mods, can we get a poll on this?
No. We can win it.
And even if we lost, I think we'd beat Montenegro anyway. What I haven't looked at is the overall "second place table" but I don't think we're in danger of being the one team that loses out on a playoff spot, are we?
Id rather take the gamble and go for the win than settling for a point before a balls even kicked.
A point would be fine as an end result, while I'd rather we went out to win it and really have a last go at winning the group in the grand scheme of things a draw would be a decent result. The important thing is not to lose.
A point against the reigning world champions? I'd bite your hand off for it.
People on here think we are better than we are. We have been extremely lucky thus far in this campaign.
If they go into the game looking for a draw they'll probably lose.
Can I answer the question AFTER Bulgaria have played Cyprus? It finishes before we kick off and if the Bulgars fail to win, then Yes would be my answer as it would guarantee a playoff spot... if we get even one more point and finish second we will have more points than Norway in the second place table.
Honestly I wouldnt take a point, I think we can win although if Duff & McGeady are out then I'll have to edit.
We should go all out for the win and even if we get whipped a win against Montenegro will get us into the playoffs.
If we go out with the mentality of getting a point from each of the two games to secure the playoff spot we probably won't get a thing from either of them.
Simple , win at all costs .................
Is there a ranking system for the playoff draw or is it an open draw? i.e. the team with the most number of points seeded 1st and the team with the least amount of points seeded 8th.
I would take a point but I would like to see Ireland giving it a go, it's a home game and Italy are not great at the moment.
I think we should go out and try and win our remaining two games. Who knows maybe Italy will slip up against Cyprus, stranger things have happened. It’s a safer option than waiting to see who we will get in the play offs.
What's the point of playing football (or any other sport)..if you're not going to try to win?...........might as well say, if they awarded you the World cup now without playing another match would you take it?...........pointless!
Of course i'd take a point, and we'll be lucky to get that. Trappaponi won't go for a win though. He is more concerned with not losing, than trying to win a match which may get us to a WC but i have my doubts.
This is not a debate, yet. Italy are almost certainly going to beat Cyprus and if Bulgaria fail v Cyprus away, then I would definitely, absolutely, nailed-on take a draw v Italy (it finishes before we start). Never underestimate the ability of any Irish team to fúck up. Remember how close the rugby team came to losing to Wales? I can envisage last minute Montnegrin penalties and the like, so yes, I would take a draw v Italy in the Cyprus getting something off Bulgaria situation. Otherwise I would say no, because it guarantees nothing and I'd like to go into the Montenegro game knowing qualification directly remains possible, but the sooner we seal a playoff spot the better. Also, if we can't beat Montenegro at home, I'd worry about our playoff hopes.
I hope I didn't contradict myself too much but I know what I want.... Bulgaria to fail in Cyprus.
i think the four teams with the most points will be drawn against the four other teams so we could very likely get france or russia?Quote:
Originally Posted by northwestexile
Supposedly, it will be an open draw, but I can't see France getting drawn against the likes of Croatia or Portugal.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Let's go for the win, its unlikely but not outside the realm of possibility.
Forza Irlanda e viva il allenatore!
No this will not be the case. FIFA had said it was an open draw however if they decide to seed it then it will be based on FIFA rankings. If Germany lose in Moscow it will definitely be seeded. I suspect it will anyway as they'll want France and Ronaldo in South Africa.Quote:
Originally Posted by Acornvilla
I would take a draw v Italy. I still hope we can win but see no chance of Italy not beating Cyprus at home.
I don't think a decision could be made til after the Bulgaria Cyprus match really. If Bulgaria win, then we'd have to be content with a point. But if they slip up I'd feel very stupid having agreed a draw with the Italians, with nothing really to lose by trying to win the match. To be honest, I think the group is settled already though.