Estonia V Ireland - Friday, 11th November 2011 - Euro 2012 Play Off 1st Leg

**paul_oshea** · 02/11/2011, 3:13 PM

My sentiments exactly geysir.

**elroy** · 02/11/2011, 3:23 PM

You would think that Estonia do a little bit of homework, they will adopt a tactic and formation similar to what Russia did when they destroyed us, in both games. I suppose the big question for them is could they adopt such tactics without leaving themselves open. It is probably more likely they will play a defensive strategy with an initial aim not to concede in the 1st leg. Against half decent sides, we have not always been so good at breaking them down when the onus to attack is placed on us.

**SwanVsDalton** · 02/11/2011, 3:31 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

The reassuring sound of the deck chairs being reshuffled back to where they were.

At least with Dunne in the team, we're going through the iceberg.

**French Toasht** · 02/11/2011, 3:34 PM

Think about this from an Estonian point of view. What score do they realistically need from the first leg to progress to the Euros? The simple answer is a victory. There's a lot of talk about them keeping it tight and that they would be happy with a 0-0 and no conceded away goals. I think if it ends 0-0, the tie has massively swung in our favour. They are going to have to go for it in the first leg and inevitably this is going to leave gaps to be exploited. If we can capitalise on those chances, then we stand a great chance having all the spade work done by the time the Dublin leg comes around.

**tetsujin1979** · 02/11/2011, 4:38 PM

Originally Posted by elroy

You would think that Estonia do a little bit of homework, they will adopt a tactic and formation similar to what Russia did when they destroyed us, in both games. I suppose the big question for them is could they adopt such tactics without leaving themselves open. It is probably more likely they will play a defensive strategy with an initial aim not to concede in the 1st leg. Against half decent sides, we have not always been so good at breaking them down when the onus to attack is placed on us.

Why would Estonia change a formation that has served them well throughout the qualifiers?
Same question can be applied to us though.

**Crosby87** · 02/11/2011, 9:55 PM

Elroy you think the Stonies have enough talent to have the ball the whole game like Russia did?
Not good if so.

**tetsujin1979** · 03/11/2011, 9:24 AM

FAI review of the players used in the qualifying series: http://www.fai.ie/international/senior-men/102191.html

**SwanVsDalton** · 03/11/2011, 9:40 AM

Long's not looking good. No surprise there.

**pineapple stu** · 03/11/2011, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

FAI review of the players used in the qualifying series: http://www.fai.ie/international/senior-men/102191.html

Simon Keogh? Presume that should be Andy Keogh? Good aul FAI.

**jbyrne** · 03/11/2011, 10:06 AM

and after scoring over 50 international goals robbie keane must be wondering what he needs to do to get his name spelt correct

**Murfinator** · 03/11/2011, 10:17 AM

He's used 26 players total, considering he'd need to name 23 for Euro 2012 should we qualify its probably fair to say there won't be room for outsiders barring injury. (Including the likes of Coleman and Best aswell as the uncapped)

**elroy** · 03/11/2011, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Crosby87

Elroy you think the Stonies have enough talent to have the ball the whole game like Russia did?
Not good if so.

Nah not saying that, though more so I really can't say much about their team. But if you were an outsider looking in at us, you would note that we are not a particularly gifted group of players but we are organised and have an excellent defensive record. The team/tactics that greatly exposed us in recent times is that adopted by Russia.

Having said all this, I would like to see Estonia play like that as they are unlikely to have the players to be effective it.

I def don't want a nil nil from the first leg, really think we should aim to get a goal over there.

**Serb** · 03/11/2011, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Simon Keogh? Presume that should be Andy Keogh? Good aul FAI.

They also spelt Robbie Keane's name wrong in the list of appearances at the end of the article.

**geysir** · 03/11/2011, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

My sentiments exactly geysir.

That goes without saying Paul, Ward in or out would not make a dint in your sense of impending doom

but i'm sanguine about these play offs, within the limits of having a reasonable team available on the pitch.
I'm not unduly concerned about both Kelly and Ward playing together in the back 4, but would be concerned about McShane playing, mainly because he hasn't been getting game time since his return from injury.
We have an experienced team who believe they can beat Estonia. Pressure does things to teams, we saw that with Armenia in Dublin. Consider their goalie's panic compared with Shay's cool experience when he had to come out and smother the advance of their player.
Also for the first time, we have the away leg first and I'm inclined to think this will work in our favour.

**tetsujin1979** · 03/11/2011, 2:04 PM

From the FAI's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status...10405337223168

You heard it here first-Leon Best has been called up to the Irish squad to face Estonia next week #IrlEst

**SwanVsDalton** · 03/11/2011, 2:08 PM

'You heard it here first'? FAI twitter feed starting to get a bit Woodward and Bernstein on it.

**Sullivinho** · 03/11/2011, 3:50 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

'You heard it here first'? FAI twitter feed starting to get a bit Woodward and Bernstein on it.

It was supposed to be texted directly to Leon but someone mucked up the punctuation and tweeted it instead. FAI incompetence or easily made mistake? The message as it should have read:

"You heard it here first Leon Best. has been. called up to the Irish squad to face Estonia next week!"

Harsh, but possibly motivational also.

**geysir** · 03/11/2011, 7:55 PM

In his first press conference, Trap will no doubt remark upon and claim the credit for Leon's improved work rate.

**BonnieShels** · 03/11/2011, 9:30 PM

Foot.ie ten years ago had this discussion about us playing Estonia... Looking back in time is mightily scary especially Gaz's comment on page 2.

**paul_oshea** · 03/11/2011, 9:45 PM

What happened Stauntons ability to articulate himself coherently from that time period. Reading some very well constructed stuff on that link. "Sometimes you'd get a bit pedestrian about it all, but after not being involved at Liverpool for so long I tend to be grateful for every game now. I think I've learned to play every single one as if it's my last

I was reading and thinking about Best's appearances for Ireland, in the past I think he didn't work nearly as hard as the other forwards when he got his chances, but those chances were nearly a year ago at this stage. I think its more proof of Trap not keeping up to date with players, and just going on what he saw - whether it was yesterday or last year.

Geysir Pressure works both ways - and we know how the Irish love the pressure of being over-cats