Printable View
As far as I know, Colgan was only included because he was doing the goalkeeping coach duties as Alan Kelly has an injury.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie
But still, don't know how the FAI didn't get some non-playing member in to act as goalkeeping coach for a week and a half?
Slovakia scored 2 wonder goals and had Paul Jones in our goal to thank for their two others. Other than that, they were no better than us over the 90 and it honestly could have been 1-1 on another day.
If Steve Staunton does his homework and tells your players to not let them get in shots from the edges of the box where they can be dangerous I can see you getting a result. A draw at least, if not a win.
As for the Czechs, we were able to contain them and get a draw and actually looked fairly good at times against them, but that was one of best performances in yonks, no doubt due in paret to the fact it was Giggs's last game, and the Czechs still looked their old dangerous selves on the counter. They aren't finished yet and I'd still make them favourites to qualify from our group along with the Germans. That said a draw is a realistic result against them as for all their play they seem to have trouble putting the ball in the back of the net.
Good Summary there Cymro. I watched both the Welsh matches you talk about and I agree. Wales were really good against Slovakia for periods but they were hit by a few wonder goals and a terrible performance in goals from Jones. You were very unlucky against the Czechs too not to win it. I think if we go with the right positive attitude we can do it. Two 1 nil victories for me please.
As usual you're talking the same old rubbish. Just disagreeing without really knowing why. Connolly is a poor player and can't even get into the squad now (he was playing for Watford in league 1 when he first broke into the Ireland team in the timeframe mentioned) and Cascerino was way past his best after USA 94 playing in the second division in France (he was never brilliant even at his best when playing for Millwall IMO anyway). Kelly as good as Finnan? Can someone explain to this man about the game we support? That argument alone should show to everyone how ill-informed you really are. Terry Phelan brilliant? Good God.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie
So again what's your point? Do you have one? Have you ever watched a football match or even kicked a ball?
We'll lose them both.
By one in Slovakia and a hammering in Prague.
This bull from the boy who consistently can't even spell CascArino. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by youngirish
Connolly is a dick and Stan doesn't appear to like him ...but on the measure of merit that gets three of that five strikers in the squad he should be in there.
Now fold your uniform and away into your jim-jams.
After the fact as far as I know. He'd named the four keepers in the squad, Alan Kelly only then pulled out and only then was Nick Colgan was told he'd be carrying the traffic cones.Quote:
Originally Posted by zenokelly
So much for supporting your country through thick and thin:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by finnpark
If we lose either game then its game over, 4 points is the minimum. If it goes down to head to head with the Czechs we're going to need a 2-2 draw or a win in Prague.
Impossible to predict, but I think we have the upper hand on Slovakia, their home record is equally as bad as our away one, so who knows.
The Czechs aren't what they were, get at them, we should've beaten them with a makeshift side so its possible. God I wish i wasn't coming home after the Slovakia game :(
Have to say its saddening, yet unsurprising, to see some people will be happy for us to lose. Shame on you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Torn-Ado
Jeez, i though I was a pessimist. If you're doing that reverse physcology thing, fair play to you.
Realistically we should hope for a win and a draw.
This is for whatever gob****e thinks we're better now than we were thirteen years ago.
Here's the team I'd pick based on all the available players we've had since 1990, playing at their peak
-------------------------Given-----------------------
Finnan-----------McGrath---------Babb----------Irwin
Houghton-------Keane-----Townsend-------Sheridan----Duff
----------------------------Robbie Keane-------------------
That's only three players from our current squad who'd make it into the team (in my opinion). Duff is out injured and I personally think that his career is over so he doesn't count for today's players. You could even make the argument to move Denis Irwin to his natural right full back, put Staunton in at left back, and omit Finnan altogether. That'd leave you with only two players from today's squad, only one of which is an outfield players, Robbie Keane! When you're up against the likes of a 30 odd year old Aldridge and Scottish League superstar Tommy Coyne that's really not saying much is it?
Babb started for Liverpool every match, one of the top three clubs in the mid nineties, along with Man United and Villa. As much as I love him, Richard Dunne is currently mucking it with Manchester City and will never play for a top four club.
Face it, we don't have the players and that's why we'll be dead lucky to get more than one point from this road trip. Just look at who we'll be playing in central midfield for heaven's sake. We don't have a fit central midfielder that is an established starter for ANY Premiership side. I don't want to hear Stephen Ireland's name, that's laughable.
Realistically we should hope for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Legend
But we are brutal away from home and I'm not naive enough to believe that eveything is going to turn on its head over the next seven days.
Like the Irish teams we have seen over the last five or six years, they will sh!te their pants and come back home from the East without a point and out of the competeition. Thats my prediction anyways.
I hope I'm wrong.
I reckon it will be 3 or 4 points. A narrow win against Slovakia and a draw or a loss against the Czechs. It's just unthinkable that we could get 6 points. If we do lose against the Czechs I reckon it will only be by a goal or two and not a hammering. I can't see them being overly adventurous if they go 1-0 up. I reckon they will be happy to hold onto what they've got but might possibly nick a goal on the counter-attack if we are chasing the game. Actually I see a them going one nil up against the run of play mid way through the 1st half and then us coming out for the second half and throwing everything we have at them.
So my score predictions are:
1-0 in Slovakia
1-1 in CR
Quote:
Originally Posted by Torn-Ado
???..:eek:.....can I have your tickets for Prague?.....seems a shame to waste them!:rolleyes:
I think we'll win 1-0 in Bratislava and draw 0-0 in Prague. Four points would be a great return for us. Six points is unthinkable.
true - enough said.Quote:
Originally Posted by finnpark
We'll lose both I think. We just do not travel well.
Anyone know what time the match is (GMT) on Saturday?
I think we're turning a corner and have grounds for optimism in general but I'd be more confident if Finnan was definitely playing. I'm not sure we can put out a good enough central midfield to compete and defensive cover seems a bit bare. Kelly and/or Foley may have to step up to the plate, and even Gibson may have to be thrown in at the deep end.
My optimism is clouding my judgment. My heart says we'll be right up for it and we'll get at least 3 points, but deep down I think we'll draw in Slovakia but will lose to the Czechs.
Beat the Slovak's 2-0. Keane tap in from close range after keeper fails to clear Andy Reid's rasping 25 yard volley & McShane header from corner, late in the second half to seal the 3 points.
1-1 against the Czech's. Go in front with a controversial penalty award after Steven Hunt goes down on the edge of the box. Late Czech equaliser after a mix up between O'shea & Kilbane lets Rosický in for an easy equaliser.
4 points, yes please.
1-1 and er 1-1 isn't it always so ?
Selection, attitude and Luck.
Selection may be in the lapp of the Gods due to injuries but Stan must be Brave in Midfield and give Reid 70 minutes to give ua a chance of winning.
The players must for get the past and believe they can win.
We also need a slice of Luck.
With these 3 we will win in Slovakia and at worst draw against the Czech's.
Other wise a draw and defeat
:eek::eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by finnpark
That has to be a joke.
No one predicts us losing to the Slovaks and beating the Czechs? It could happen. Better than 4 points coming from a win against Slovakia and a draw against the Czechs.. Surely Slovaks are out of the hunt? Either way, Having watched Spurs a few times, Robbie is showing the ability to be a game winner in the eastern bloc.
**** the begrudgers and COME ON IRELAND
dont see them really being a problem if we are firing on all cylinders. When we get to slovakia i think we will be surprised by there lack of interest in there national team and with us on our Summer holidays and roaring from the stands in big numbers it will translate into high tempo attacking play with a load o chances of which we will bang in two. Andy Reid and Keane involved in both.
Ireland 2 Slovakia 0
The momentum from the above game will roll down the tracks at 12.25 Monday to Prague. AFTER winning SIX games in a row the czechs (a team of auld fellas) will not know what hit them. Doyle ends his dodgy spell o form in prague with a goal after a long range effort from Andy reid that is spilled by "czech". We go radio rental in the stands and begin an agreesive savings plan for our 2nd ever appearance in the tournament after our 20 year absence.
The only thing missing in Austra will be England after under estimating our Jewish friends in Wembley.
Ireland 1-Czechs 0.
Isreal 1 - Engerland 0
Stan an International miracle worker
Mc Claren sacked
Come on Ireland!
Did the Czechs not draw with the Welsh and lose to Germany not too long ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dallasirish
I think it's clear from the general tone of Dallasirish's post that he's not living in the real world anyway, so it's hardly surprising to see him get his facts wrong. ;)
Yes, the Czechs drew against us.
I think 4 points is essential. Could still qualify with less but it'd be nigh on impossible imo.
Paddy Power have Israel to win at 10-1 and the draw at 7-2 which are great odds considering how much the English are underestimating Israel.Quote:
Originally Posted by wallis
I remember watching the build up for the Israel-v-England on BBC back in March and it was laughable to see how much they had the 3 points down as a formality. Israel certainly have the abilty to grind out results.
Underestimating the Slovaks would be a fatal move. It's no longer about what you've done in the group so far - as opposed to what you're going to do between now and the end of November.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dallasirish
Germany, as Jim Bowen from Bullseye would say, "are safe". Therefore, its a race for second and until your mathematically out of it - you're going to compete.
I think the Slovakia game will be just as difficult for us as the Czeck game.
I'd expect the Slovaks to bombard us from the start with high tempo moves and a "shoot on site" policy that Eastern European sides have when playing at home.
Shay Given is going to be busy. It won't matter how creative a midfield we put out if we don't have the ball.
1 - 1 with the Slovaks (and lucky to get that).
The Slovak result will result in a "win or bust" tie with the Czechs.
Ireland to narrowly win, 2 - 1 following a hellish, Alamo style last 10 minutes.
That's my optimistic version!!!!! ;)
They missed arrowly with a few long rangers at Croker.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfie
We should be able to grind out a win in Slovakia, but suspensions and injuries could hinder us in Prague. I'll say a 2-1 win in Bratislava and a 1-1 draw, after coming from behind, in Prague.
PRAGUE, Sept 5, 2007 (AFP) - Czech striker Milan Baros is
doubtful for the upcoming Euro 2008 Championship qualifiers against
San Marino and the Republic of Ireland after sustaining a back
injuring during training.
"We will see what the doctors say, and possibly we will at least
prepare him for the match against Ireland," Czech manager Karel
Bruckner said at a news conference.
The Czechs will confront minnows San Marino away on September 8
before hosting the Irish four days later in Prague.
The 25-year old former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker, now
playing with French champions Lyon, has been capped for his country
58 times and scored 31 goals.
I wonder if he hurt his back trying to "lift his attitude";)Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
i would happily settle for that although a 2-2 with the czechs would be better for the head to head..Quote:
Originally Posted by jjppc
he'd need a jcb! but seriously 31 in 58 games is excellent for an international striker.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet
Everyone is talking about getting 3 points against the Slovaks and 1 against the Czechs as a good weeks work. Generally it wouldnt but we ****ed awa y any chance of that in Nicosia. plain and simple we have to beat the Czechs, a draw or loss against the Czechs and we are gone IMO. I feel we could qualify even if we lose in bratislava but win in Prague. yes Slovakia still have San marino to play twice but its hard to see them being there come the last set of matches. id love to know what the opinion is among the czech population now. They were talking about sacking the coach a few months back while their players were off visiting prostitutes. The Czechs are a finished side and are not a patch on the side that terrorised so many team between 2000-2005. Building them up will gain us noting, we have to realise we are playing two distinctily average sides. Deep deep down i cant see 6 points happening though :( I feel a dreadful mistake or a terrible piece of luck against us will cost us 2 points in Prague
Which is better: 4 points including a win in Slovakia, or only 3 but winning in Prague?
It's probably the latter isn't it?
IMO getting three against the Czechs. That would turn it into a 3 horse race for second but if we do our business we should get there. If we drop points in Prague then Second place is the Czechs to throw awayQuote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Agreed, though the Slovaks really need max points from here, including a win in Czech Rep. If we win in Slovakia and lose in Czech Rep at least it pretty much knocks Slovakia out of it.
If that happens, we can still overtake Czechs by beating Germany (and winning the others) at home and hoping Czechs don't beat Germany.
In my opinion I think we will get a draw in slovakia, more than likely a 1-1 draw with a flukey goal from a set-piece from o'shea or dunne. Having not played well then the support in prague brings an unthinkable win and then the 4 points(a win over the czechs rather then the slovakians is what is required to leave us in a better position. A 1-1 draw or a 0-0 draw against the czechs and its over anyway IMO) will leave us in a super position and its bring on the germans!! Must go and pack!!!:D
Doyle is very off form though. Hopefully he wil turn it around, but the omens are not good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia
Yeah, no confidence at the moment. I'd be tempted to throw Keogh up with Keane... very tempted.