We have NO chance of qualifying.
Some Eejits commenting on this thread.
Great away trips possibly?
#CorruptFIFA********s
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We have NO chance of qualifying.
Some Eejits commenting on this thread.
Great away trips possibly?
#CorruptFIFA********s
Ah shut the f×ck up ya plankQuote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
For recent qualification draws, I have had a kind of "ah f**k, it's over before it even started" feeling when I saw the draws we got.
This time I didn't get that feeling.
As good as we could reasonably have hoped for.
Thats not a bad bet, they def will get a bounce with the success of the u20 teamQuote:
Originally Posted by Bungle
Why is everyone so sure recent U20 success will immediately translate into senior success?
Pished when we wrote that...Quote:
Originally Posted by back of the net
The point stands. We won't qualify, but given the venue is no bad thing...
I'm not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
But look what their last underage world champions did. And it's a hell of a lot more than we have.
(Aware that our third place u-20 team largely did nothing at senior level)
Wasn't Croatia away TV3's first game?Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Suker scored in the 93rd minute. I was watching in the UCD Sports Bar and the feed cut out a couple of times - I think TV3 were broadcasting on the same signal as the campus info channel or something?
We'd just played Yugoslavia at home (which was a rearranged game - they were denied visas to enter the country) and then went off to Malta (and nearly lost)
Assuming you mean any draw not including one of the other 'big seven' (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands), both the two above and Germany have avoided this in the last eight qualifying tournaments. France are the unluckliest (three close rivals since 2000, for Spain, italy and the Netherlands it's twice each).Quote:
Originally Posted by Cymro & Shakermaker
England's second seed this time (Switzerland) outpointed them in 2014 qualifying; Slovakia this time are on current form their equal best team in Europe.
We know!!!
The under 20's success guarantees very little but it's obviously worth noting. Even if one of those players becomes world class it would give them something we don't really have, just look at Alaba and Ibrahimovic in the last campaign. They made the difference really and Wales have their guy in Bale as well, although it kind of bugs me when Ramsey gets thrown into that bracket, who is far from world class but a clever, skillful footballer nonetheless.
It's an absolutely dream draw, all things considered. We're still up against it, we're fourth seeds for a reason, but I really was fearing the campaign being over before it started. We have a fighting chance of challenging every team in the group. If we have a reasonably good campaign we could almost finish top as easily and second, given the evenness of the teams involved. We're probably fourth best but there is everything to play for. We're clearly going to need to improve, but any improvement at all should see us mixing it with the other three until the end. That's more than anybody could have hoped for.
When are the fixtures announced? Aren't they computerised now instead of a sit down, or is that just the Euro qualifiers? An early trip to Vienna would be welcome I think and maybe a later visit to Tbilisi, when they've lost some of their early enthusiasm.
Aye, but we're not going to improve, we have No decent players coming through!
I think they may have had all the away games in that campaign? And Yugoslavia was the first if memory serves, could be wrong though. I really thought Yugoslavia away had to be rearranged as well but, again, a bit foggy about it. Something in my head about TV3 having to wait longer for their first game.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Fixture dates.
2016
Monday September 5: Serbia away
Thursday October 6: Georgia home
Sunday October 9: Moldova away
Saturday November 12: Austria away
2017
Friday March 24: Wales home
Sunday June 11: Austria home
Saturday September 2: Georgia away
Tuesday September 5: Serbia home
Friday October 6: Moldova home
Monday October 9: Wales away
Yeah, they had all away games; you're right. And Yugoslavia was our first away game - so you may well be right there.
We had three away games to finish the way it ended - Croatia, then Malta, then Macedonia
Funny, I can remember exactly where I was watching all those games (UCD Sports Bar being frustrated at the feed cutting; at home trying to spot my mates' flags while I was studying for the repeats that meant I couldn't go out; in Lonnegan's just about starting to celebrate come that final corner), but I'm drawing a complete blank on the Yugoslavia game.
Wiki doesn't give details of rearranged games, but Yugoslavia away was played early enough and on the same day as another group game, so doesn't look like it was rearranged. There was no other games on the same day as Yugoslavia at home (which I know was rearranged)
Abiding non-Ireland memory of that group was this red card -
We have decent players playing already for which there is plenty room for improvement. We've a £12m PL striker that's sitting on our bench, a £7m PL winger at left back, a PL right back valued at £25m, a PL central midfielder considered indispensable to his club, the Championship goalkeeper of the season sitting on the bench also... That should be a strong enough base to work from if management could up their own game (or step aside!).Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Indy on Sunday did a group by group, team by team synopsis. They listed our Star Player as Robbie Keane. Kind of says it all.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
But hey, I say this every time. Outside the elites - none of which is in our group - there's not that much between the rest. As DeLorean says, we're 4th seeds for a reason but the likes of Denmark show what can be done without a team oozing Champions League quality. Any given football match is there to be won.
Tough start. The key is to still be in the mix going into 2017. I bet anything O'Neill is already thinking of a draw in Belgrade. I want us to be looking to win these games.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfman
Don't really like the look of that. Possibly the worst time to go to Serbia as they'll be raring to go after their dismal showing this time around. Austria should be over any potential Euro hangover by the time we go to Vienna also, and they may really need a result if they've slipped up early on. Finishing in Cardiff far from ideal also but no point in worrying about all that I suppose, if we're good enough we'll pick up the points.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfman
I tell you something, first glance says that's a nice fixture list.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfman
i thought it was a very good fixture list, just marred by having to face Serbia, right after a long trip to Georgia in September.
They should just ditch the mid June fixture completely.
I suppose getting the away trips to Serbia and Austria out of the way early could be seen as a positive, a huge positive if you pick up a result or two. The last two times we qualified we got the two very tough away fixtures out of the way early, picking up four draws as only we can do! The scoreless draws in Copenhagen and Seville for 1994 qualification and the draws in Amsterdam and Lisbon for 2002. Hopefully a good omen. Obviously we'll have Cardiff to negotiate this time too but that will have a different feel to it and, all going well, we'll be already qualified :p
That's as good a fixture list and group as we could have hoped for. A top-heavy stack of away fixtures always reminds me of our best campaigns.
"From what I hear the serbs are fanatical about their showers."
"Not from the footage I've seen."
It also compliments our propensity to draw away games. Pick up two points or over away to Serbia and Austria and things are looking rosy from the player's perspectives and, if supplemented by two wins in the easier fixtures in 2016, from a table standings aspect.Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
Lose two and win two in 2016 and it ain't all that bad but does make things tougher.
Had a good look at the Austrian squad there. Not many frightening names on paper. Obviously Alaba is quality, Dragovic has been linked with some bigger European sides, Janko is huge and Arnautovic has been hot and cold at Stoke. A few defenders that have been signed by PL clubs but we have enough players in that league too. The manager has been in charge for 4 years, obviously continuity has reaped benefits in this campaign. That's why I'd like to see MON get another crack at the whip. With this draw, he'll fancy it.
Robbie Brady, James McClean, James McCarthy, John O'Shea, Seamus Coleman, Shane Long, Aiden McGeady.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Saying Keane is our star player is taking the mick TBH.
Not pished all....currently in California ....there's a thing called ...time differenceQuote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Whether ur point is valid or not....doesn't give u the right to call ppl Eejits for giving theirs
watch the txt spk botnQuote:
Originally Posted by back of the net
Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Fair enough
Cheers
Not, but its definitely a positive, only need to unearth one or two gems.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
We havent done a whole lot recently in any age group
Their U20 success is evidence that something good is functioning within the structure of Serbia football. Half this squad are with teams in the local league and have a full season of top flight football behind them. But I think these WC qualifiers will come a bit too soon for the more talented ones, who are around 18 and 19 years old.
This could be a tight group. I wouldn't say it's a great group but it's the best we could hope for. I reckon the Welsh, Austrians and the Serbs are just as happy as us. If you were an neutral you'd find it hard to call the top two.
The only downside is that we are a poor team lacking in confidence with a manager who hasn't got the any believe in the team or himself. But if we can get someone in like Mick McCarthy then I'd be confident of getting at least second. A lot can change between now and then.
Minor detail.Quote:
Originally Posted by GypsyBlackCat
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crosby87
WestwoodWilson Christie Keogh ColemanMeyler McCarthy ArterBrady Long McCleanIn a 4-3-2-1. For some reason I can't do the formation with the players.
Not really. If a team is lacking in confidence they won't play well. They tend to play bad balls and go missing during games. You can see it week in week out with teams. A new manager with fresh ideas and new faces will make the world of difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
That's the great thing about being a football fan.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Never mind that we've just about blown the euros, the here and now, we still look to the future with hope in our hearts.
Even if we were drawn in a tough group I'd still look forward to it.
The Secret Journalist's reaction to the draw: http://www.thesecretfootballer.com/a...etite/#slide-4
Quote:
Group D
Wales, Austria, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Moldova, Georgia
Excellent group for both Wales and the Republic of Ireland, nothing to be overly feared anywhere. The games in Cardiff and Dublin will be eagerly anticipated.
Serbia are on the slide, beset by on- and off-the pitch problems, but Austria are on the rise. They are unbeaten in six Euro qualifiers and lead Group G, four points ahead of Sweden.
Wales are heavily reliant on the continued good health of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. Should they be unavailable, manager Chris Coleman must have a Plan B or C.
Ireland have yet to shine consistently under boss Martin O’Neill and it might be a qualifying campaign too far for 35-year-old Robbie Keane. When he’s gone, who’s going to get their goals?
Top two: 1, Austria, 2 Wales
Read more at http://www.thesecretfootballer.com/a...d-cup-appetite
It's actually going to be kind of weird not knowing who to shout for in the other games amongst the contenders. Usually we have a heavy hitter that we want to beat all our 'actual' rivals. Germany have let us down in this regard the past two campaigns.