Strange, looks different to me: http://sky.thesportspredictor.com/fo...e/1954/IrelandQuote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
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Strange, looks different to me: http://sky.thesportspredictor.com/fo...e/1954/IrelandQuote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
that gives a blank wallchart for me? share mightn't be working right yetQuote:
Originally Posted by joe_denilson
Yep that's what I got yesterday.
Interesting. I got an email of an excel page the other day, where you can predict or just write in the actual results and it updates points and stuff for you. I just randomly threw in fairly realistic results. I wasn't overly kind to ourselves, only giving us two draws against Sweden and Italy and losing to Belgium. We still made it through as the fourth best 3rd placed team, having finished ahead of Sweden on goals scored in our group. Coincidentally (or maybe not so much) we were also paired against Spain in the last 16. It just showed how achievable qualification from the group actually is and how beating Sweden in the opening game could nearly do it by itself alright. Obviously they'll be thinking the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Never mind skysports, you can get a predictor spreadsheet from one of our own clubs here:
http://www.finnharps.com/fhfc/?p=3119
Harps are running a great prediction competition, have done so for the last number of tournaments. The spreadsheet is on that page above and is easy to use, and updates tables & the next round of games as you fill it in.
Sure why not stick in an entry while at it, it's only a tenner :-)
True, Gibson is a favourite of mine and in reality two months ago I didn't think there was a chance in hell that he would be anywhere near the squad. It's the hope that kills!Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Like I mentioned it's not just based on last night. I think that last night might have swayed it in Gibson's favour (something different, giving it a go), however I think Roy said that even if he scored a hat-trick he wasn't going to make it and the decision had been made.
I still find this hard to understand on the past evidence that I've seen. Go back to that Scotland game in November 2014. Gibson like now hadn't had much football then and was given the nod over Meyler. Like I said, Meyler has never started a competitive game in midfield. Gibson had 3 appearances (186 minutes) in the qualifiers and 5 unused sub. Meyler had 4 appearances (202 minutes) and 5 unused sub. 2 of Meyler's appearances (180 mins) were at RB including a fine performance in Germany. Since we have 2 RB and 2 CB who can play RB I don't see Meyler playing here during the Euros (he may not even play at all). Maybe a case could have been made to have Meyler over Christie and take 7 defenders.
I just don't really see any concrete Meyler plusses in this 1 v 1 (Heck, in reality maybe it was Gibson vs. Quinn or something else entirely for the last spot, O'Kane vs. Meyler). Versatility is a plus for Meyler but since it is unlikely to be needed, it cancels itself out for me. Even recent fitness is hardly overwhelmingly in his favour.
I don't think it's proven that Gibson had any choice in moving at all. It's possible but it's not what was said at the time. If Everton decided they needed to keep Gibson then there was nothing he could do. Besic got an injury near the end of January and the line at the time from the local press was that Gibson was being kept. Maybe O'Neill has other information that has affected his decision but we don't know for sure if there was even an option to go on loan. Game time in general has almost certainly come into it though.
Again the attitude thing is largely vague and speculative. I didn't see much wrong with the euro 2012 episode but I know others did. However, I don't think O'Neill would be calling up someone to play in these last two games if they had an attitude problem. Now whether personality came into sizing up the players in the manager's final decision, it's possible but we don't really know anything about that at all.
Apart from Wilson, Gibson and Forde were the only players to start a qualifier to miss out. Someone had to and lack of game time is the biggest reason that has cost both. Gibson has appeared in 5 qualifying campaigns with no finals appearance. It would be interesting to see who else since the Charlton days had such a record. Given his injury record, I wouldn't be surprised if his new club (if he gets one!) leaned on him to pack in the international game. And the sad truth is that we wouldn't miss him much at all.
Anyway, onwards and upwards. That's enough time on this post squad selection autopsy for me. Hopefully the lads can give it their all in France and make us proud.
Roy Keane's comments today were justifiable enough, but had me once again fearful that he/the media or some combination of the two are going to get some stupid controversy going over in France. All it'll take is some off the cuff criticism and it'll be laid on thick in headlines like a squad meltdown is occurring.
I thought his dig at McGeady was a bit unnecessary, the "story of his career" bit. Maybe McGeady needs to hear that in private but I don't think it's very helpful to borderline humiliate him in public. I think the guy has been through enough this season. Good management is about knowing when to put an arm around and guy and when to kick him up the hole. I think McGeady is probably in a fragile enough state confidence wise right now without adding to it. To be fair to Keane he did give him some little bit of praise also but undid his good work with that throwaway remark, even if it is bang on!
I don't mind the criticism of the players collectively so much, but it's not nice when it's personalised. I know he was asked directly about McGeady, but there were a million better ways to answer it I think.
Exactly, he shuold have been guaranteed a place, instead he was busting gut trying to secure a a place and ended up crocked.Quote:
Originally Posted by TrapAPony
No wonder nobody was making much effort in the second match.
Why is it players seem to get injured more in training and uncompetitive matches?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Yea didn't sound too clever to me, even if it is at least partially true, however I was not too impressed with McGeady on the night, and some
times he flatters to deceive. Not sure how McGeady will see it, but whatever the case he should be seeking to do better.
I guess all the players are well aware of what Keane is like so hopefully he will not be too offended by it.
Let's face it there are not too many people Roy has not slagged off in his career so he is in a pretty big club,
pretty much everyone bar Eric Cantona. :)
In fairness Martin tried the arm around the shoulder approach 6 months ago and it didn't work.
Kick up the hole approach correctly applied for me.
Look McGeady has rarely delivered for us, and im sure its always been a case of behind closed doors giving him a kick, this might be exactly what he needs, along with the arm around him. McGeady is a sulker, sulkers need a bit of public humiliation to get over themselves. I think it will work well for McGeady to be honest. O'Neill will put the arm around him and know how to help him privately. Publicly he has deserved this for quite a while.
Keane did come out today saying he was joking with some of the remarks, so perhaps Martin had a slight word. I still think what Keane said was pretty much bang on, but you have to give McGeady credit for going to Russia - I don't think keane was at this, I think keane just meant he hasn't delivered on his potential. Again its constructive criticism, reverse pyschology when all the other pyschology up until now has not worked.
Just Read B2Walsalls comment above! Bang on what i was saying, in far fewers words :D
There might be something in that in fairness, okay, I'm converted.
Do you agree that people who sulk, usually want personal attention, think of the baby in the corner, its a similar approach, they want to be mollycoddled, they need to get over themselves and be made aware of this. I'd happily argue that nothing much has worked for McGeady up until now and this could well be worth a try. If he goes into training thinking "how dare he do taht to me in public, ill show him" then thats exactly what Keane will want. If he sulks and doesn't get better? Keane was right, and we don;t notice any difference. I think its a win win - it can't get any worse than it already is, McGeadys performance was atrocious(save 10=15 mins spell in the second half when he at least tried).
So, a couple of reports from the Belgian press to catch up on. This is the first:
http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/E...4765/1.2672097 - Basically they say that the international press thinks they have gone back 10 years in how the play 'When we could not be Kazakhstan' Ok, so a good defense can keep them quiet....
http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/16076/De-Ro...rgenkind.dhtml - This means 'Defense is going to be a serious problem' (literally means a 'problem child') Some points about the article: Our midfield never came out of own own half - Fellaini takes nobody on, he his not able to handle them technically (However if hoofball is played against him, he should be able to deal with it) - De Bruyne showed he has indeed class but not enough - Defence simply not good enough and is a huge worry
Who's actually going to win this thing? Germany are showing no major signs of breaking free from their WC hangover. Italy look to have one of their weakest squads in living memory. Spain probably still the best bet in terms of talent but a long way off their peak of four years ago. France will hardly do it without their first choice centre backs and Benzema. It's a good opportunity for potential dark horses like Portugal, Austria or even England to do something. I'd probably give my vote to Spain though, the World Cup will have hurt them and they've freshened up their squad.
England worry me to be honest.
Suspect defensively maybe, but better going forward than I ever remember them. The issue of how to fit both Lampard and Gerrard is gone too.
spain for me or maybe home advantage to count for France.
I fancy England to do well. They've new blood in there in Kane and Vardy, Ali Daei et al. who have no sense of entitlement to their place in the starting 11 and, much like the Dublin team now, nobody is guaranteed their starting place (except Rooney maybe). This makes for positive strong competition for places and they seem to be a fairly together squad. Think they're at 4/1 to win it last I saw. Not a bad bet.
I never bet against Italy. They turn up in their mid 30's, playing in the MLS, out of shape, out of form, racked with internal dissention and a bumbling buffoon for a manager and next thing you know they've just knocked Germany out on penalties in the semi and are shrugging at each other like it's no big deal and stating they'll be back on sunday to collect their trophy and when told they've France or Spain to see off first they make a note to purchase them a packet of hankies.
Is that the same Spain that tanked them 4-0 last time?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie
I agree with your point overall though, but they've had some disastrous campaigns over the past decade as well.
France are a bit of a dark horse for me, lot of shades of the world cup win in 98 - home advantage, poor recent results in tournaments, some of their top talent excluded from the squad.
You could hardly call them 'dark horses' though really. They're favourites in the bookies!
And they had a fairly decent World Cup.
are they? genuinely haven't seen any odds so far. Thought the usual suspects would be favourites - Germany or SpainQuote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Yeah 3/1, Germany 4/1, Spain 11/2 and England next at 8/1. (according to PP).
Walters sat out training today after getting a knock, but it's not thought to be serious: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36436532
McCarthy is back in full training though.
Robbie says he'll be definitely ready for the Belgium game, but isn't a certainty for Sweden.Quote:
Originally Posted by BBC
Quote:
Originally Posted by BBC
Big Jon up to his old tricks. Probably enjoying a Cornetto up in the visitor centre while the lads slog it out.
I'd certainly back the French this time. Beaten by eventual champions in 2014, and only 1-0 in the QF's, they could easily have accounted for such a shoddy Brazil team and then who knows against Argentina? A few years to improve, home field advantage, handy enough group stage. If they can make do without Benzema, they have a serious shot.
There are some seriously good players left out of their squads. Imagine leaving out Benzema?
Despite Spain's strength I couldn't believe Bellerin was only a late replacement.
Anyone see that Bruno Alves tackle in the England v Portugal friendly? Crazy stuff.
No, just saw he got a straight red... must have been bad to get a red in a friendly. Who'd he take out?
Worse than McAteer I think -
The Portuguese players blocking the ref's way should have been booked too.
Jesus... Kane took it like a beast.
Getting boring at this stage.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Stutts loves asking if we watched England. Any opportunity to mention he watched England, sorry to excuse himself.
I'm in a hotel room in north Eales on a short break. I can watch what I want! I barely saw any of the game as it happens, I was on foot.ie.
To be fair to McGeady he did put in a good cross which Murphy should have put away, if he had McGeady would have gotQuote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
more praise.
They are 8-1 or 9-1, I backed them at 9-1 EW a while back, I thought I was getting value for money. Would prefer if Danny Drinkwater was going for the Leicester effect.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
I also backed Belgium at 11-1, can't remember why.
And finally I backed Ireland at 150-1 EW, I don't think I am getting very good value there though, 5,000-1 would be fairer!!
Just realised I am backing against myself somewhat with Belgium, although in reality I am probably not if you see what I mean!! However I wish I had not put it on now!
I stand corrected. I backed Ireland at 125/1. Odds must have increased. Still, it'll be sweet when that €12.50 comes rolling into my bank account baby!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
Depend where you backed them, you can get odds of 150-1 125-1 and 100-1 at the moment I have two accounts and an exchange account for
match betting I normal do the best odd on the standard accounts as the exchange minimum bet is £2. I could sometimes get better odds elsewhere
but it is not worth the trouble of managing another account.
Anyway whether it is 125 or 150 is somewhat immaterial as it is highly unlikely you will get anything back, even as a supporter
I find it difficult to make any case for Ireland, I have been more optimistic in the past, however having said that we have beat Germany
recently, so who knows.
The real problem for Ireland seems to be the small teams such as Belarus. We normally do better against the bigger
sides, at least in qualification anyway, I will have to erase any memory of our last European adventure though!