I've been campaigning for Doyle to be dropped in favour of a target man for literally years now on this forum, and even if fit, I'd consider leaving Folan in the lineup.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fly
I love Kevin Doyle and his attitude, but to get the best out of Robbie, a proper target man is required.
Doyler is a great finisher, and good in the air for his height, but he simply doesn't bring that physical dimension up top that the likes of Folan can bring.
Based on what?Quote:
Originally Posted by MeathDrog
Why? Keane was nowhere to be seen most of the time when Folan knocked it down for him!Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fly
Yes it will be interesting to see who the front two are when the next competitive match kicks off. Folan has palyed well. I think the spot beside Robbie Keane will depend upon injuries and performances in the friendly
Just based on the fact that we're not very good. We could pull it off on one game but usually 2 games gives a fairer reflection of who is a better team.Quote:
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
If we're unlucky, we could be put against a fairly decent team and that could be the end for us.
So will you be at Croker tomorrow?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheridan
So we can't hope then? Playoffs are a lottery. One moment of inspiration, or a mistake, can decide it all. As for our historical record, I wouldn't worry too much; I doubt Paris '65 or Anfield '95 are going to weighing on our player's minds. We knew we were probably not going to top the group anyway, so being comfortably in the playoff spot - in June - is a huge success.Quote:
I'm sorry to **** on everyone's parade, but I can't see us beating another 2nd placed team over 2 legs. People are assuming that 2nd place is our ticket to SA. Far from the case, and we need no reminder about our poor record in playoff matches.
It's been a recurring theme on this forum that this team can only get better. With Reid back, and who knows; maybe McCann or McCarthy in the fold (Trap has shown he's not afraid to throw good young players in), we'll be well able to compete.
Tonight was always going to be a test; we've come through it, despite our general inexperience in vital areas. Two away draws against the top two seeds. Much better than the qualifiers for Euro 96, France 98, Euro 2000, 2004, or 2008 when we lost all of those corresponding fixtures, and missed out as a result. The hardest bit is done now, and we're still in the running for top spot. Well done Trap, and well done Ireland.
MeathDrog, don't fall for Sheridan's 'Croke Park' tagline. It's just the usual awkward 'let's make everyone feel guilty' thing that most pseudo-intellectuals try to enforce on their would-be audience.
So stop bothering us Ireland fans on the Ireland forum then and p*ss off to the LOI one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheridan
One of the hardest points we have achieved in a qualification process in ages. If you don't value that, then there is very little appreciation of European qualification competitive football when the group hits the point of no return.
Relieved we got the point, too tired and emotional to be anything more than that.
Trap has the scent of South Africa firmly in his nostrils.
Overall that was a good review you wrote.Quote:
Originally Posted by drummerboy
But McGeady did well enough with that effort, created the opening and hit a decent shot.
I wouldn't be too hard on Kilbane.
I suspect Bulgaria would have equalised regardless.
I would also attribute the lack of Bulgarian spunk, in the last 1/4, down to
Irish resolution and fitness, the Bulgarians ran out of steam.
Thats really bad news, because as far as i can tell fate is propelling us towards a play-off with the north at a rate of knots.Quote:
Originally Posted by MeathDrog
should all LOI fans pee off there to the other forum then or what? :(Quote:
Originally Posted by youngirish
No but we can get 2 draws and go through on away goals!Quote:
Originally Posted by MeathDrog
We drew our first 4 games in Italia 90 and still got to the QFs :)
No, just the ones who don't have an interest in the national team. It's simple really - if people aren't that bothered in LOI then they don't go onto the LOI forum and same should apply to the the Ireland International forum. I doubt YI goes on to the LOI forum with a disparaging tone.
Personally I love the way this group is shaping up.If at the start we were all told that if we beat Italy in Croke park we would top the group we would have all been delighted. We have come a so far under this manager and yet there are still people not happy. Yes I would have loved if we could have continued the way we started the first half hour of the Bulgaria game and gone on to score a few more goals last night but to come away with a point in a hostile atmostphere like that in the summer heat is excellent.I dont think we generally have a good record in games at this time of the year either so Im delighted
Still unbeaten in compeditive games.....In Trap I trust!
We just seem to be able to get that competitive away win against major opposition. Careless mistake but then our goal was soft as well.
Thrilled that we got away draws in both Italy and Bulgaria.
Positives: see above and the performance of Sean St. (we knew Dunne was class) and Folan and Hunt who worked so hard. Bulgarians, despite all the possession, just had one half chance for Berbatov. Superb defending
Disappointment: couldn't hold the lead. Nothing to do with "falling back". Just a silly mistake. We were bound to be under the cosh for much of the game with two relatively weak midfielders. Some people think because we had a good spell at the beginning, the whole game should continue like that. Doesn't work that way when you have an average side.
I worry about Italy at home. We haven't played well at home in any of our games. We're set up for away games. I'd be amazed if we beat Italy at home. But then again I was amazed we got draws away to Italy and Bulgaria ;)
We played well in that spell, but Bulgaria played badly. They didn't really start the game at all, first couple of minutes aside. Getting the equaliser injected momentum and inevitably they played better.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
I fully appreciate the difficulty of that point but I still think that looking back on a lot of the games - most notably Bulgaria at home - we've left a little bit out there.
How close was McGeady's effort? The cameraman missed it, or else the pub telly hadn't a wide enough screen.
If we win next 3 games we'll win group I reckon.
I'd love it for obvious reasons but also to promote football back above egg chasing as the sport of the moment! How on earth can Free State Cheethas vs a Lions non-test XV with some Irish in it even come close to Bulgaria vs Ireland as a sporting conversation piece this weekend?
My post match review forgot to mention the ref last night. He was outstanding. Top drawer official. Another ref might have bought their diving and rolling around. I don't think he made 1 error last night.
Does anybody know if the play offs will be seeded or are they waiting to see how many 'big' teams feature?