Ireland v Switzerland - Pre-match discussion

Well we got the three points tonight by hook or by crook as Brady would say. Hardly a convincing win by any strectch of the imagination. Still Cyprus didnt lie down for any side that went there and it was only a factor of match fitness that got Switzerland those two late goals. We never did well away from home so Im just glad for the three points.

Israel have just beaten the Faroe Island 2-1 and France have just taken the lead against Switzerland. So it looks like we are fighting for a play off place next wednesday unless switzerland make a big come back which seems unlikely.

I think a defeat with the Swiss would be a bigger boost for ireland than a win for them. I dont think we could ever beat them by more than 2 goals to top the group. A one goal victory would be enough to hope for. The play off's are a complete lottery though.

Our main concerns for Wednesday are Duff and maybe Kilbane but hopefully the swiss have a few booking and they dont have Hakin Yakin.

I understand the Swiss didnt pick up any suspensions this evening. Is this correct?

Ireland are currently -150 at the bookies to win the match. Unreal. I think we'd be lucky to beat the top beer league team from Switzerland after todays performance.

Assuming Kilbane and Duff are out


Irelands line up will probably look like this:

Shay Given

S Carr K Cunningham R Dunne I Harte

S Finnan G Kavanaugh A Reid J O'Shea

C Morrison R Keane


subs: M Holland, S Reid, G Doherty, S Elliott, D Connolly

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vega007

Ireland are currently -150 at the bookies to win the match. Unreal. I think we'd be lucky to beat the top beer league team from Switzerland after todays performance.

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I haven't got a clue what -150 means I doubt anyone else has either.

Sorry man. Don't think the midfield four will look anything like that. For my money both Holland and Steven Reid made cases for their inclusion on Wednesday. Not saying they were outstanding. But they certainly competed alot more than messrs Finnan and Duff. Kilbane is out for the game. Did I miss something. Assuming he is out Kerr may well go with.

Given

Carr Dunne Cunningham O' Shea (Would dearly love to see him replaced personally, but can we really trust Ian Harte:eek:)

S. Reid Kavanagh Holland A. Reid

Keane Morrison

I for one, reckon Holland was an improvement in midfield there today.

Yes Holland did make an impact, the slating of Holland on this board has been over the top. I was disappointed with Kavanagh today but I know he can do better on Wednesday, so Holland-Kavanagh is the most probable line-up.

I'm disappointed that Alan Quinn is not in the squad, I don't think there is much between Steven Reid and Quinn, though Quinnis definitely a more positive and creative player. Reid's passing has always been too square but I do like his physical style.

-150 is the same as 1.66 or 2/3

it's american style pricing, much more convenient than decimal or fractional odds. one of the few things the americans have gotten right.

a draw is 5/2 or +250
a swiss win is 10/3 or +333

kapiche?

Even if fit, Kilbane should not play on Wednesday. He was atrocious. Reid can compensate for him on kick-outs.

We're going to lose to the Swiss on Wednesday and lose badly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

Even if fit, Kilbane should not play on Wednesday. He was atrocious. Reid can compensate for him on kick-outs.

We're going to lose to the Swiss on Wednesday and lose badly.

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thats the spirit!!!!

dont think we'll lose badly - would predict a draw more than anything - the swiss are no great shakes. this has been discussed to death i know!!

youll watch the game then Fergies son??? enjoy it!

My mood or attitude (good or bad) won't make a difference.

Of course I'll watch the match! I've been at 3 of the matches in this qualification series despite living in the US.

It just that I have seen nothing to suggest that we are good enough to beat the Swiss or even score on them.

Kerr insists on playing Kilbane. We have little to no creativity. Where are the goals going to come from? We can't defend so the Swiss are likely to sore. It just does not augur well. I tend to trust the money-people as well, the bookies and they are not at all positive.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vega007

a draw is 5/2 or +250
a swiss win is 10/3 or +333

kapiche?

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Well thanks for that, I didn't mean to be rude but I have never understood
how such prices work, seems to be the winnings from a 100 point stake,
where the 100 is figure plucked out of the air.
Also the -150 is particularly obscure, 66 would have made more sense (I think).I can't say its any better than fractional odds like 7/4 5-1 4/5 rtc..
Anyway regardless of their merits most people here will simply not understand them. I didn't and I am more familiar with such things tthan most.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vega007

Assuming Kilbane and Duff are out


Irelands line up will probably look like this:

Shay Given

S Carr K Cunningham R Dunne I Harte

S Finnan G Kavanaugh A Reid J O'Shea

C Morrison R Keane


subs: M Holland, S Reid, G Doherty, S Elliott, D Connolly

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That's what the team will probably look like or what u would like the team to look like?

I've can't remember Kerr ever playing O'Shea as left midfielder. It's highly unlikely he'll play Andy Reid in the centre too. Let's assume that we go with your train of thought and Kilbane and Duff are unavailable. Let's also follow the usual Kerr selection policy (conservative) and this is what I' would expect:

Given
Carr Cunningham Dunne O'Shea

Finnan Holland Kavanagh A.Reid


Keane Morrison


Subs: Kenny, O'Brien, S.Reid, Elliott, Connolly

the only difference in our two teams is you have holland in instead of Harte.

you're probably right though

thats really bad odds for us at home. I dont think the Swiss will beat us Wednesday but I can really envisage a victory for us either. We are so crap its incredible. A draw is probably a more likely outcome. I really dont know how we are going to grap all three points at home :S

Personally I am thinking of dropping O Shea for Hearte. I used to think Josh was the better option but the more I see him the more I realise he is useless and a liability. At least hearte can pick out a man with a pass and can score from set peices.

I'd go for:

Given

Carr - Dunne - O'Brien - Finnan

S Reid - Kavanagh - O'Shea - A Reid

Robbie - Clinton

With Elliott coming on for the knackered Clinton after 60 mins or so.

I think we missed O'Briens calmness in defence (he almost always plays the ball along the ground out of defence instead of lashing it) and to be honest Kenny C looks increasingly past it.

I agree Brine, I'd drop Kenny. He looks old and out of form. My ideal team would be this.....

Given

Carr O' Brien Dunne O Shea

S Reid Holland Kavanagh A Reid

Clinton R Keane

Ireland will win,there was alot of pressure on ireland against cyprus.cyprus had nothing to lose.
wednesday will have 2 teams needing to win playing against each other and france needing to win.
ireland will do it

I wouldnt drop kenny until after this world cup, wherever we end up, be it next wednesday or next July. Dunne and O Brien are incredibly bad at making mistakes. At least Kenny tries to give some leadership.


Should Elliott get the start instead of clinton with clint coming on later ? Elliott is playing at a higher level and has scored in the last game and seems to work ok with robbie. Plus Eliott runs all afternoon.


I would start with the following : -

Given

Carr Cunningham Dunne O'Shea

Finnan Holland Kavanagh A.Reid

Keane Elliott

With Morrision coming on if things dont work out or Connolly. Finnan to start since Duffer is injured. S.Ried coming on for him if things dont work out there.

Ive slated Mr Invisible for being Mr Invisible on so many games but he did seem to bring a slight semblences of stability to the midfield so he should start instead of either Kavanagh or Kilbane.