Just to remind everybody, Ireland have NEVER won a competitive game away in either the European Championships or World Cup against any of the major European teams - Italy, Spain, Germany, England, Portugal, France. That's NEVER. Czechoslovakia are probably the biggest team they've managed to defeat - and that was in 1967. It's an extraordinarily poor record. To win tonight would be the greatest ever away achievement. Not much grounds for optimism. 2-0 to Italy is most likely.
I forgot to add Holland to that list... and Belgium.
We are going to get mullered. I don't care how many players Italy have got out tonight, they could put out Serie B players and they'd still run riot against McShane and Keogh down our right side. I would rather have Kevin Foley or Joey O'Brien (if he's fit) playing right back, and Andy Reid has more ability than anyone playing in that midfield, at least he might create something. Chris McCann and Owen Garvan should also be in the squad. Keogh isn't a bad player but he cannot play right midfield.
I wasn't confident before we had all these injuries, now I think we'll be lucky to get away with a 2-0 defeat tonight. I cannot believe anyone seriously thought we would win in Italy. As Straightstory has correctly stated, the last time we won away against a major nation in a qualifier was in 1967. Not beating Bulgaria at home will be the defining moment in this group. We had a chance to knock them out and secure second place on Saturday night and we blew it. If we had won on Saturday, tonight's defeat wouldn't have mattered as much.
I think a draw would be a fantastic result for us. It would be a marvelous achievement given the players at Traps disposal. I agree Keogh is a good player but will not do himself justice playing out on the right.
I think Bulgaria will struggle to beat Cyprus tonight. Reckon it will be a draw. We will know the result before our game as it kicks off at 5.
It's bad when we're looking for Indian signs and superstitions.
It's going to be a turkey shoot.
Connacht GAA :)
I really thought that was an April's fool!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_denilson
We have to shore up that midfield. Robbie must drop back and help them more.
Italy are no world beaters... err, yes they are :D
But they won't win all their games in the group.
This might be 1 where things don't go their way. Let's live in hope that we can frustrate them and limit them to crosses from a long way out where Dunne and O'Shea will dominate. Trap's plan might help us to counter attack more than usual. Set pieces will also be important for us.
C'mon Given - show us you are better than Buffon!
We're not the greatest but win, lose or draw they're still my team. C'mon Ireland!!!
We're saved! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by shakermaker1982
If we had S. Reid, Duff and McGeady; I would actually fancy our chances against that Italian team, which is one of the weakest I've seen for years.
As it stands, I expect us to play up for the occasion, but still lose 1-0.
Eleven-a-side have a good April fools joke related to the game:
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/worldcu...ws.asp?n=36272
Pity it's not true
:D
*******s got meQuote:
Originally Posted by Irish_Praha
No mention as yet on RTE website. Mind you if you look at the web address, then it's an obvious hoax. Got me!!Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_denilson
Hopefully he is called up coz Andy Reid is the answer to the recession and the meaning of life , to anyone who actually watches the game he is an average footballer who can pick a pass , Id say Italy are ****ting themselves
Well done ! ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_denilson
Dunphy on RTE this morning:
Italy aren't great - missing better players; they didn't impress on Saturday
Grosso a threat
Pirlo biggest threat
McShane a weakness; Keogh not the right guy to replace McGeady
Keane & Doyle will provide a chance of scoring
We have "great players who love playing for their country"
He & many in the game are disillusioned with Trap, despite his initial excitement at the appointment. Feeling is he's not working hard enough and is becoming eccentric. Says Thursday morning is the time to comment further though.
Dunphy concedes that many of the selections are marginal, including Reid & Carsley, but that if they played we'd have a better chance.
Hopeful we can get a draw.
YES, NICE EDIT !!!!!!!!!!!! "Obvious HOAX" TO MOST OF US.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
I dont put any store in what Dunphy says. He recently said that we had 5 or 6 players that would get in to any side and then failed to name 3. He is a rabble rouser and has consitently criticized Irish managers,except John Giles.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
What a dipstick!
Caught on two now today , well done , my point still stands thoQuote:
Originally Posted by Scram
On the evidence of Saturday's performance - nobody can be confident we'll secure anything from the game. Yet stranger things have happened..............Quote:
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
I think there will be a conscious effort by the team to show a bit more composure on the ball and try and retain possession.
Hunts performance will be crucial tonight as he has the ability to alleviate pressure on the back four by carrying the ball deep into the oppositions half.
I'm hoping Andrews can weigh in with a big performance tonight also.
McShane's inability to use posession to an even limited degree could disrupt our attempts to keep the ball but it appears we have to live with it until Finnan is back to the fold.
Lets just see how things unfold. Very few appear to give us an earthly of a chance but the rewards are there if we can emerge with even a point tonight.