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I am convinced we would have gotten out of our group. The weather and the timing of games would have suited us. Trap probably would have unearthed another 2 or 3 players. And we would have gone to South Africa with two draws and a win against the last two finalists under our belts. Real pity.
How would the weather have suited us exactly?
Don't think Trap would've called any more players up, I think he would have stuck with the lads that got him there!
Absolutely agree with Noelys Guitar. I think we would always have a good chance of progressing when we qualify for the finals. This is partly due to the nature of the draw (trying to keep the European teams apart to a certain extent) but mainly because, under Trapattoni, we have proved very difficult to beat which is really the requirement for first-round qualification.
Winter in South Africa.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
It all depends on how we'd play. If we play the way we did against France in Dublin, no way we get out of the group.
The way we played against France in Paris? We'd win the World Cup!
We are a tough team to beat, who knows who would have been in our group. It depends on a lot of things: form, injuries, weather, prepardness, etc.
I reckon we would have beaten the weaker African or Asian team in our group and drawn the stronger European and South American team. That might be enough to get us out of the group, it was in 2002. Then I think we'd be found out when we draw a group winner like Holland or Spain.
We'll never know. This thread breaks my heart.
Try driving past one of the Stadiums a couple of times a week, or listening to the constant adverts on radio for the "Big draw on December 4th right here in Cape Town" Was out last night and there was a tv on in the corner showing the preparations, it's like a knife in my heart.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
Back to the original point, Obviously it depends on the draw but there are some very weak sides in it, the Koreas, New Zealand, South Africa although we all know the hosts get an easier ride. We'd probably be in with one or 2 decent teams but the way we play I'd have fancied us to do what we did in '02 and not lose in the group and maybe sneak out with 5 points.
Last 16 with a relatively thin squad in terms of quality (imagine a suspension for Dunne or an injury to Keane) we'd do well to get to the last 8 and I couldn't see beyond that.
Ye id say quarter finals at least !
Id say quarter finals at least !
DONT like this thread because its hard to predict a game these days never mind anything else, whos to say if we got Nigeria in the WC Kanu would'nt handle the ball or if we got Hansen to ref our group game the pitch incline wouldn't miracously change to suit our opponents!
I would have fancied us to get out of the group stages and then it just depends on the draw. I think we would be capable of upsetting a lot of the big nations if our key player remained injury free and the only ones I'd really fear would be Spain and Brazil.
Would have been better to wait until December 4th to see what group France are in before making such predictions. However if it's not a group of death and has one weak team then I would have given us every chance to get to the second round with one win and two draws.
Would have been interesting to see if Traps tactics change slightly when it gets to the knock-out stage compared to group games.
Second round.
It all depends on how we'd play. If we play the way we did against France in Dublin, no way we get out of the group.
The way we played against France in Paris? We'd win the World Cup!
We would have won it of course. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever. Nobody can ever prove otherwise.
I actually think we wpuld have done very well. We have a good shape and have outplayed both France and Italy, two finalists in the last world cup, in their back gardens. We seem in much better shape that the 2002 team. I don't want to type any more because thinking about this is bringing up more anger:mad:
France will most likely be seeded, not a hope in hell we would have been. Quite likely France will get an easy enough groupQuote:
Originally Posted by Irish_Praha
Presumably we wouldve been second seeds?
Oh god this is even too painful to consider.
Anyone going to adopt a country for it?
I'm thinking of becoming an honourary Algerian. Basically because they play in Green and White, and once gave the French a good hiding.
I'm goin for spain
i cant handle this, its like breaking up with a girl before you felt she really gave you a chance and wondered what might have been and then you see her all over the place everywhere ye looking flaunting it and with another guy. Everytime you try and forget about her it comes back through some random small thing that makes you want to cry again. And then get angry.
:( heartbreaking :(