If the fixtures were reversed, i.e. we started badly, lost to Serbia at home, drew with Georgia away, while Wales kicked off with a winning streak, before fading while we won in Austria and beat Georgia at home, would people's opinions be the same?
If the fixtures were reversed, i.e. we started badly, lost to Serbia at home, drew with Georgia away, while Wales kicked off with a winning streak, before fading while we won in Austria and beat Georgia at home, would people's opinions be the same?
No, definitely not, but then fans are always going to live in the moment and momentum is a big thing. Right now we feel like Scotland must have done in the last campaign, leaving a good opportunity slip through our fingers. The most deflating thing is knowing that even winning the remaining games will probably not be enough for a playoff spot.
And regardless, no matter the outcome or any other possible outcome from that game between Irl and Serbia, Wales would still have to win their last two games.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
If Coleman said those word about preferring an Irish victory v Serbia, it's that such an outcome would have left a slither of a chance for Wales to top the group.
Unfortunately for Wales, they tend to stutter at the end of a campaign, when the gift horse of qualification is staring them in the face.
Kevin Doyle to miss out anyway...
Irish Times Sport Tweeting that he's retiring from football on medical grounds.
EDIT: Doyle posted the following on Twitter:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DK1GPmFUIAAcr2w.jpg:large
MON names him in the provincial squad on Tuesday, he retires on Thursday...
This is amateur hour stuff ffs.Quote:
Originally Posted by IsMiseSean
Apologies, I'm blaming auto correct for confusing provincial and provisional. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
He managed to retire at the top, after being named in the intl squad and before he could have been shunted out in the cull.Quote:
Originally Posted by IsMiseSean
Very strange that MON named a footballer on the verge of retirement from football in the provisional squad.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Colorado's season is still under way and Doyle was playing regularly until early this month. This was strange timing for the announcement and I don't think it was an expected one. I'd give O'Neill the benefit of the doubt here.Quote:
Originally Posted by TrapAPony
Well presumably he hadn't thought to ring up all 32 players and ask them if they'd be retiring before the Moldova match.Quote:
Originally Posted by TrapAPony
Maybe he's over-egging it a bit, but his comment isn't that unusual in light of the context. It's fairly standard rallying-cry stuff as we near the end of the campaign and badly need positivity and momentum if we're to have any chance of scraping into the play-offs.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Also, the interview was with FAI TV; I'm sure his employers reminded him beforehand that the match isn't yet a sell-out (i.e. tickets still need sold).
But wouldn't you expect there to be at least someone at the FAI who verifies the availability of proposed call-ups in advance of the publication of a squad-list, just in case of injuries and whatnot? O'Neill knew to omit Walters, for example. I know Walters' issue was already publicised, but you still need to make sure everyone on your squad-list is available before publishing it, surely. You can't just assume availability. For me, it's not criminal, but it is embarrassing and is indicative of shoddy communication. At a time of heightened levels of frustration and disenchantment amongst supporters, the optics of it aren't good for the FAI and management team at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
I remember Nigel Worthington selected Shane Duffy in an NI squad to play Albania back in 2010, only for Shane to then declare his unavailability and "withdraw". Worthington was ridiculed and justifiably so.
I don't know, but as you know he has form with selecting injured players. Still, for all we know when O'Neill announced the squad Doyle had no intention of retiring. I don't know his personal situation but I know many players across different sports have retired overnight on medical advice. It's not necessarily a decision you need to take a lot of time with when your long-term health is at stake.
Exactly Charlie, we don't know when Doyle went for these tests, or when he got the results. It's entirely possible O'Neill spoke with Doyle, or management at Colorado, before naming the squad and was told the striker was available.
Perhaps it was a nice touch to include Kevin Doyle in the Squad . Had he not then there would have been speculation about stuff .
Easy to tell things aren't going well on the pitch!
It's possible, and Charlie and tets make fair points too, although the last time Doyle was in a Rapids match-day squad was when he played against LA Galaxy on the 2nd of September. He wasn't even on the bench for their three games since. It was already publicly-known that his absence over the past month was due to a head injury. Here's a preview for the Rapids' game against Houston Dynamo a week after the Galaxy game which confirmed that Doyle was to miss out due to a head injury: https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2...olorado-rapidsQuote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
In light of that, there should have been at least questions over his availability. Of course, it's possible that these questions were asked of Doyle in advance and it's also possible that Doyle had said he thought he would be available before then changing his mind, but I just don't sense that's likely for some reason. I accept it's a pure hunch on my part though.
Heh, maybe so. It can be easier to give the benefit of the doubt when things are rosy.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Think I'd be using this game to blood Declan rice,hes likely our future box to box midfielder.we're short at the moment with injuries to McCarthy and Arter and the reality is probably that qualification has gotten away from us in this campaign.i would have given him a run out with Meyer whose been exceptional whenever called upon,chance to build his confidence with little to lose
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrapAPony
Maybe Martin knew and named him so so Kevin could go out on a high so to speak?
Hard to know where Rice will eventually end up, be it centre half or centre mid. He has the physique for a centre half but the technique for centre mid.
Meyler with a goal and an assist today. Bodes well. Delighted for him.