Gibraltar (H) - Sat, 11th Oct. / Germany (A) - Tues, 14th Oct.

[OwlsFan]

We badly need a Roy Keane figure in the locker room to force us to believe we can hang with these teams. Enough of this poxy, lily-livered attitude that has seen us go over 10 years without beating a half-decent team in competitive football.

"A Roy Keane figure" - the same man who presided over 10 league defeats in 14 matches for Ipswich, a sequence which resulted in his team dropping to 19th place in the Championship table. Yes we need that type of figure ok.

Over the past 10 years (excluding the last two) (in fact I'd say 20 years) we have way out performed your heroes in Scotland and Norn Iron (who lost at home to Luxembourg recently I think). Our record against the bigger teams as regards wins is not great ok but it has nothing to do with attitude. What we have done (excluding the past couple of years) consistently is beat our lessers, equal our equals and equal/lose to our betters. If every team can do this we'll qualify for tournaments or be there or there about. I have never seen an Irish team roll over except arguably against Italy/Spain in Poland countries and Germany in Dublin (due mostly to errors for every goal), all nearing the end of Trap's reign.

I am not sure what you mean about our boys in Paris?

[Kingdom]

"A Roy Keane figure" - the same man who presided over 10 league defeats in 14 matches for Ipswich, a sequence which resulted in his team dropping to 19th place in the Championship table. Yes we need that type of figure ok.

Over the past 10 years (excluding the last two) (in fact I'd say 20 years) we have way out performed your heroes in Scotland and Norn Iron (who lost at home to Luxembourg recently I think). Our record against the bigger teams as regards wins is not great ok but it has nothing to do with attitude. What we have done (excluding the past couple of years) consistently is beat our lessers, equal our equals and equal/lose to our betters. If every team can do this we'll qualify for tournaments or be there or there about. I have never seen an Irish team roll over except arguably against Italy/Spain in Poland countries and Germany in Dublin (due mostly to errors for every goal), all nearing the end of Trap's reign.

I am not sure what you mean about our boys in Paris?

I would say some of the performances and/or against the better teams and equals has been entirely down to attitude, either from the presiding manager, or the players. Bulgaria, Slovakia and Austria are just some of the examples that come to mind.

[ArdeeBhoy]

It seems they have been seeking out eligible players behind the scenes, but how far should they go? David McGoldrick seems the only one who's responded positively. What else can they do really? You can't tie down a player if he doesn't want to commit and begging the likes of Mark Noble (or Stephen Ireland, for that matter) to come play for us is just demeaning. O'Neill's attitude with, say, Noble and Ireland, is spot on (the ball is in their court) and I get the impression he's in tune with the supporters generally on this matter; he's perceptive to the reality that the fans won't take very well to us chasing desperately after pretenders and mercenaries who couldn't really give a toss about representing Ireland.

O'Neill is by a (country?) mile the most articulate football intelligent manager we have had .... ever. Doesn't mean he is the best ever manager but oft times he is seriously underestimated by self appointed experts, much to his chagrin.
So far, O'Neill's expressed attitude has been spot on as regards the potential 'plastics'. What has muddied the waters were various reports and our own fears/suspicions raring up as they do, it is a sensitive area where there are undefined boundaries to be regarded. His respectful attitude to Grealish and his dad was well appreciated by them both and if it did come down to Grealish being inspired by the sentiments of the manager, we can trust that O'Neill could express exactly what was required at that moment in time.

Fair points both, but reckon we'll regret this in about 5 years time (if not sooner!), when we're even more mediocre than we are now...

Oh well, luckily wasn't overly interested in qualifying for the next 3 tournaments, unless the next 2 WC venues change.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I never said anything about Roy Keane's managerial prowess. I said we need a Roy Keane figure among the players. And Roy did a fantastic job as manager of Sunderland and his presence has had an invigorating effect on Aston Villa this season.

Scotland and NI are not my heroes. I am just showing some concern about our complete inability to beat teams of a comparable standard to us and this culture of talking up draws against teams like Slovakia and Sweden. It's ingrained in our Intl. footballing mentality now - in no small part due to Trapattoni. Fair enough we can equal our equals but we are going to have to beat one of Poland, Scotland or Germany to get into Euro 2016. It's as simple as that. Can anyone reasonably expect us to do that on the basis of our performance against Georgia and Scotland's performance against Germany?

People on here are saying the October games are formalities. I don't want to hear that. Far worse teams than us have embarrassed teams like Portugal in recent past and inferior teams have given Spain and Germany harder tests. And yes, frankly, I do think a little of it comes down to attitude.

Sorry if I belittled the emotions of our boys in Paris - that wasn't my intention. But the sad fact of the matter is if we didn't show an abject France side so much respect we could have got something from the first leg and if we had the bottle to take our chances in Paris, we would have got more than one goal. They were a daunting task in name only - as was proven by their performances immediately prior and immediately after our two games.

[SwanVsDalton]

I know you've already clarified your comments but...

We badly need a Roy Keane figure in the locker room to force us to believe we can hang with these teams. Enough of this poxy, lily-livered attitude that has seen us go over 10 years without beating a half-decent team in competitive football.

...ahhh don't we have the Roy Keane figure in the locker room?

Also I fully expect us to lose to Germany, but we're not playing in the match. I'd expect the players to have a different attitude. What the fans think and what the players think should never be mistaken as the same thing.

Can anyone reasonably expect us to do that on the basis of our performance against Georgia and Scotland's performance against Germany?

Yes. Scotland defended like jokers. I expect our expert finishers to show those profligate Germans where the net is.

[DeLorean]

Sorry if I belittled the emotions of our boys in Paris - that wasn't my intention. But the sad fact of the matter is if we didn't show an abject France side so much respect we could have got something from the first leg and if we had the bottle to take our chances in Paris, we would have got more than one goal. They were a daunting task in name only - as was proven by their performances immediately prior and immediately after our two games.

Your point still made no sense because Scotland lost the game where Dailly's rant was caught on air. It proves nothing in terms of how little they respected the Germans on the pitch and it would seem they didn't have the bottle to take their chances either.

[WexCar]

Oh well, luckily wasn't overly interested in qualifying for the next 3 tournaments, unless the next 2 WC venues change.

Thats an odd POV (IMO). Whoever the hosts are wouldnt usually factor so heavily into a persons interest in qualification, apart from your more extreme bandwagoners/fairweather fans who attend just so they can say they attended.

[Stuttgart88]

I doubt very much Keane and O'Neill will be taking a defeatist attitude to Germany. We're up against a different class of team but they'll be looking at the likes of Ghana and USA who gave them a tough time. So did Algeria. It's different to expect Germany to win the group and to publicly say so, because that's pretty certain I'd say. It's not certain they won't drop points in doing so. O'Neill may not be famous for his sophisticated brand of football but he is renowned for motivation.

I still don't read too much into Scotland's performance in Germany and ours to Georgia. On another night Scotland might have lost 3-0. We need to improve on our Georgian performance but I don't see why we can't. Scotland are a year further into their project than we are into ours. There's more capacity for us to get better. I think we've got better players except for goalkeeper and left back.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Thats an odd POV (IMO). Whoever the hosts are wouldnt usually factor so heavily into a persons interest in qualification

Because we shouldn't live in a bubble...
Russia (not exclusively) have a pretty lamentable record re.their minorities, racism and LBGT issues amongst others and a certain predilection to invade their neighbours. as confirmed by Georgians recently.
As for Qatar, that was a decision primarily based on backhanders and corruption. Plus the weather conditions are entirely unsuitable.

No fan of China (see Russia) but they deserve it a 100 times more than Qatar. Even Saudi Arabia do, though Morocco or Australia would be my preferences.

[Stuttgart88]

I agree with all of that AB, but I'll still be elated if we qualify. Always better to qualify than not, even if the host country has lamentable rights standards. One of my favourite ever WCs was Argentina, then under military dictatorship.

Hopefully Qatar will lose theirs and FIFA will be held to account for its cronyism and corruption long beforehand.

[ArdeeBhoy]

2016 is possible despite my rampant pessimism. If those WC venues stay the same, won't be that disappointed if we end up missing out.
Hopefully they will both change if the FIFA clowns ever get their act together?

Unless we get the luckiest draw ever, a jump in our seeding pot (or two) and/or a massive influx of new players, think we can write off the next two WC's anyway, hopefully the U-17's et al can give more optimism for 2024 & beyond.

[Stuttgart88]

Much as we can deride McClean for his attitude and one dimensional style of play, the raw pace he displayed against Ipswich last week has me thinking we should play a 433 of sorts in Germany, with McClean and McGeady flanking Long, and a solid midfield 3 led by McCarthy, with two of Hoolahan, Whelan, Meyler and Hendrick. I'm not sure Gibson is ready yet.

This is premised on Germany playing a high line and being vulnerable to pace, like they were against Algeria. Of course Mertesacker is no longer in the team but Scotland's goal was scored from a break from deep and Germany were caught out by pace.



------------------Keeper --------------
Coleman - O'Shea - Delaney - Wilson
----------McCarthy ----- Whelan
McGeady ------ Hoolahan -------- McClean
----------------- Long ---------------

[ArdeeBhoy]

Get rid of Whelan and we have a deal...

[Kingdom]

Much as we can deride McClean for his attitude and one dimensional style of play, the raw pace he displayed against Ipswich last week has me thinking we should play a 433 of sorts in Germany, with McClean and McGeady flanking Long, and a solid midfield 3 led by McCarthy, with two of Hoolahan, Whelan, Meyler and Hendrick. I'm not sure Gibson is ready yet.

This is premised on Germany playing a high line and being vulnerable to pace, like they were against Algeria. Of course Mertesacker is no longer in the team but Scotland's goal was scored from a break from deep and Germany were caught out by pace.



------------------Keeper --------------
Coleman - O'Shea - Delaney - Wilson
----------McCarthy ----- Whelan
McGeady ------ Hoolahan -------- McClean
----------------- Long ---------------

That's not bad, and it's a plan that could definitely bear fruit. Is it likely? Possibly, but really I just don't believe any word from O'Neill about being positive against Germany away. The statement that Wes will feature more at home (can't provide link, but pretty sure it was widely reported) rather than away was telling for me. I think he'll now look to use McGeady in that role behind the lone striker, and utilise Walters as the workhorse out wide.

Just looking at those players you've picked above.

--------------------------------Keeper

-------------OShea-----------Delaney---------Wilson

Coleman---------------------------------------------------McClean
------------------------------- Whelan

=----------------McCarthy-----------------Hoolahan

-------------------------------McGeady

---------------------------------Long

I wouldn't actually mind seeing O'Neill use whatever friendlies he has next year at trying out his 5-3-2 formation that worked initially for him at Celtic.
That's the position I think McClean would be best utilised in. Coleman is a natural wing-back. The midfield three is probably more natural with Gibson, or Quinn/Hendrick at a push.

[DeLorean]

Get rid of Whelan and we have a deal...

------------------Keeper --------------
Coleman - O'Shea - Delaney - Wilson
-----------------McCarthy --------------
McGeady ------ Hoolahan -------- McClean
----------------- Long ---------------


Funnily enough... it actually looks a stronger team

[Predator]

Get rid of Whelan and we have a deal...

We'd hardly beat them with 10 men!

[DannyInvincible]

Is there any reason why we shouldn't experiment with the Zeman 2-0-8 against Gibraltar?

[ArdeeBhoy]

We'd hardly beat them with 10 men!

Agreed, but with Ward or Whelan, we might as well have ten...

[ArdeeBhoy]

Something about Coleman/McCarthy being out for these two games, not it matters overly, though couldn't find a working link...

So all those people saying we shouldn't have called up Naughton & Noble could well be wrong...

[Stuttgart88]

Are you saying your pessimism about our chances in Germany would be removed if we had Noble and Naughton instead of Coleman and McCarthy, despite the latter being better players?