The France Prediction Thread
... '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. :(
