Russia v Republic of Ireland - Tuesday, 6th September 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

I was very happy with most of the players. McGeady was getting flak from Ray Houghton for running the ball around his own box. But he can do that. He got himself out of trouble and gave a good ball to Whelan who gave straight back to a Russian. Kelly and O'Dea really put in a great shift. Robbie played well got better as the game went on. Held the ball up nicely a couple of times and gave the defense a breather. Doyle came more into the game and I was surprised when he went off but Cox did very well. Can't fault Whelan and Andrews for effort but their just not good enough. Can really look forward to the Slovakia game now and roar on Armenia.

Well that was some sort of miracle.

All eyes on Slovakia-Armenia now. Let's hope our friends can do us a favour and draw with/beat Slovakia. If they drop any points, it means qualification is in our own hands.

If we manage to stumble into a play-off we will be beaten because we still don't have capable central midfielders. Thats the bottom line. A Depressing night regardless of how lucky we were because hand on heart I know we can't qualify unless we change the personel in there. Maybe Gibson / McCarthy is a solution but anything, ANYTHING would be better than what just went on for the last 90 mins - its was a horror show. How a manager with the wealth of experience that Trap has can't see this is mystifying. 7 clean sheets in a row - thats the only beacon of light.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I was really impressed by O'Dea. Dunne was the star but best supporting actor from an unfancied player was O'Dea.

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I was also, but he made some basic mistakes towards the end which almost cost us goals. So down from an 8 to a 4.5 for those....

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Originally Posted by zero

do i understand correctly that if we win our next two games we will finish at worst second?

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I'm not really thinking straight atm but I think there exists the possibility of Slovakia and Russia conspiring to draw their game, which might screw us over.

When Dunnies in the zone theres no better centre back in the world, smashing game.

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Originally Posted by Sullivinho

They are decent and they did rip us apart.


They just didn't score.

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Their finishing was as woeful as our central midfield. And they're not a decent side.
Which makes many of our performances are worrying.

Concentrate on the play-offs for 2014 and end the illusion of 2012. It's the hope I can't stand.

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Originally Posted by Sullivinho

I'm not really thinking straight atm but I think there exists the possibility of Slovakia and Russia conspiring to draw their game, which might screw us over.

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If they did that and we all finish on 21 don't Slovakia top the group? Why would Russia willingly accept playoffs?

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Originally Posted by Sullivinho

I'm not really thinking straight atm but I think there exists the possibility of Slovakia and Russia conspiring to draw their game, which might screw us over.

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Then can and will unless the Slovaks drop some points before hand (hopefully beginning tonight)

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Originally Posted by Sullivinho

I'm not really thinking straight atm but I think there exists the possibility of Slovakia and Russia conspiring to draw their game, which might screw us over.

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i thought it went head to head in that scenario, in which case we finish above the slovaks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Eu...ifying_Group_B

anyway as i've said elsewhere i reckon there are a couple of more twists to come.

Roy Keane was credited with a massive performance at home to Portugal - a draw. It was the finest individual performance by an Irishman since Brady at home to Bulgaria and McGrath in NY. Dunne's individual performance tonight was better.

Dunne put in one of the best performances I've ever seen for Ireland. Unreal. He deserves to qualify for the Euros as a one man team!

O'Dea proved a lot of us wrong tonight. Ward improved in the 2nd half but his delivery from the flanks was terrible. We need Cunningham to come along soon I think. Kelly also done ok.

Midfield - well, same story. Good work from the wings and very little offered from the middle. Andrews did track back well in fairness though.

Given was a hero.

So, do we have a decent shot at qualifying or it is all looking grim now?

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Originally Posted by zero

i thought it went head to head in that scenario, in which case we finish above the slovaks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Eu...ifying_Group_B

anyway as i've said elsewhere i reckon there are a couple of more twists to come.

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I think so too. In fact I can see us getting 0-0 in Andorra.

I'm still in awe of that performance from Dunne.

Let's never forget it and make sure our grandchildren never forget the one we call HoneyMonster.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I think so too.

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rte are saying otherwise. talking absolute rubbish though.

dunphy seems to have a partial handle on it.

Superb result. Doing basic maths here and presuming Ireland, Russia and Sloavakia win all their games against the Armenia, Macedonia and Andorra, then the only way we can be denied at least a play-off is if Russia and Slovakia draw. Result probably means we lose out on automatic qualification, but really we didn't throw that away today, the two games against Slovakia is were the finger can be pointed on that front. If all three teams are level on points at the end, we lose out, and my concern is that Russia and Slovakia will know this and conspire to play out for a draw.

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Originally Posted by zero

do i understand correctly that if we win our next two games we will finish at worst second?

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Actually no. If we win our final two games and the Slovakia-Russia game ends in a draw and they win their other games, we will all finish on 21 points with us in 3rd after the tie breakers.

I'm actually hoping Armenia can get something out of their game against Slovakia today as they are still in with a shout if they win their 3 remaining games.

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Originally Posted by zero

rte are saying otherwise. talking absolute rubbish though.

dunphy seems to have a partial handle on it.

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Dunphy hasn't a clue " hold on Bill - I know this" :)

Given - 9
Kelly - 8
Dunne - 10
O'Dea - 8
Ward - 5
Duff - 6
Andrews - 6
Whelan - 5.5
McGeady - 6.5
Keane - 6
Doyle 5.5

Hunt - 7
Cox - 7

If I was Slovakia I wouldnt play out a draw v Russia with a trip to Macedonia to come. I wouldn't go all out for the win either I suppose.