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Actually, whereas earlier I was worried Gib away might be a festival of nationalistic fervour if it was their first game, we could be playing Scotland in their first home game after a yes result in their referendum! If George Osborne keeps antagonising them it'll be a landslide.
I don't know why people are acting like Germany are going to blitz the group. I could see Poland and Scotland taking points off them. IDK about us. Think we might need a collective attitude transplant first.
We should take heart from Scotland's performances against big teams in the recent past. It could be that they do us a favour if we can't do it ourselves.
Poland and Scotland are probably thinking exactly the sameQuote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
People are saying that because they should blitz it. All the Per Meteresacker's in the world don't change them being lights years ahead of everyone else in the group.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks
But of course, there's nothing to say we can't get a result out of them but it'll be seen more of a bonus. Don't want to be playing them with points needed.
Because they just will. Ourselves, Poland and Scotland would all be happy with one point from six against them. Even in the off chance all three do take an unexpected point from them, they'll still win the group easily. Even if we beat them and lose to them, they'd still finish well ahead of us because they won't drop many more points, whereas it's pretty certain that we will.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks
Scotland have it in them to get a decent scalp (home or away) but their inconsistency will be their undoing. They could beat Poland at home & then lose to Georgia away from home. I'd be confident about picking up 4 points over the 2 games. Gonna be a cracking atmosphere and our players will be up for those 2 games.
Poland - would rather them than Serbia or Turkey. They do have some talented individuals but again 4 points isn't out of the question.
Germany is obviously a big ask but they will steamroller everybody else. 20 points needs to be the target.
Our game in Tbilisi is actually the very first match of the whole qualification campaign. A win there would be a really brilliant start. I wonder where the German's will entertain us this time around... hopefully Munich or Berlin. The Oktoberfest will be just over though :(
Euro 2016 Qualifying Fixtures
It will be interesting to see where the sfa pick to host our game. Hampden will still be out of action in November after commonwealth games. Basically either parkhead or ibrox. Neither ideal with some of the idiots on both sides. Would like to see murrayfield but unlikely .
Interesting. I hadn't thought about Hampden being out of commission.
Who will you be supporting?Quote:
Originally Posted by davey
Well they aren't going to face us in Celtic Park surely ?
That's a bit of a disaster is it? Edinburgh would have been much more appealing.
Overall, I am equally daunted & excited by the group, it's not impossible, no reason we can't get second, but the margins between second & fourth may be squeaky ones & it will require the side coming of age to close out games against teams pretty much equal to them for much of the 90. But the group also presents an opportunity to do so. On the upside, I think a blotted copybook in a game wont represent the end of the campaign, as in recent previous campaigns, there were results which effectively ended the hopes relatively early on. I feel Poland and Scotland will produce big results but will stumble at times too leaving space for us to recover. Hopefully :)
Most of all, some matches I am really looking forward to, it will be an exciting campaign. Roll on September.
It really is amazing that England consistently get such easy groups, regardless of seeding.
They do indeed have it fairly handy. Again.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks
Yep, as Crafty says, I think it's unlikely Scotland or Poland will take charge of things. Well all be leaving the door open for each other at times I reckon.
And yes, this situation requires a coming of age from many players. I said the same thing in a different way in another post earliest. The Serbia home game is the place to start. I hope that by now O'Neill has a very firm idea of what he wants to do and that the players deliver. I really hope there are no frivolous withdrawals and everyone turns up pumped.
The team Scotland least want to play at their home is us.
We have the edge on Poland. Unless both those teams undergo some freak metamorphosis, we have them beat.
If I was predicting results tomorrow this is how I think they'd go;
Georgia 1 ireland 1
Ireland 2 Georgia 0
Scotland 1 Ireland 1
Ireland 1 Scotland 0
Ireland 3 Gibraltor 0
Gibraltor 0 ireland 2
Poland 1 ireland 1
Ireland 1 Poland 1
Germany 3 ireland 1
Ireland 0 Germany 2
I think Poland and Scotland will drop points against the Georgians. The only game where the Germans might drop points would be Poland away, but I think they'll win that game myself.
I reckon Northern Ireland could get a Playoff place.
Gibraltar manager targets playoffs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26316110
Stop snickering at the back.