Wales Vs. Czech Rep 2nd June

[Cymro]

I think the ROI now have a great chance to finish second. The Czechs are mediocre these days; no idea why, but the team I saw on Saturday was nowhere near the side I saw beat the USA 3-0 in the first match of the World Cup.

Since then it's really gone downhill for them and although they'd still be most bookies' favourites to qualify along with the Germans, I wouldn't be so sure. Still I'd never write off a side with their talent.

If you lot can sort yourselves out you can qualify for these championships, as believe it or not Slovakia did not look that good against us either-the scoreline really flattered them. They scored three very good long range strikes and Paul Jones made two howlers. On another day that game coul;d well have ended in a 1-1 draw.

It's just a matter of whether your top players perform-the quality is there.

I'm still hoping we do you at the Millenium though

[Stuttgart88]

I actually think we're better against better teams. Germany away had its flaws but the same level of commitment with a central midfield that's at least functional will give us a chance. Most other parts performed well.

The challenge has been thrown down. The September games will be a test of Stan's motivational skills & the players' application if nothing else. If the team is set up properly and they play like they have to win then I think we can be good enough. I think Geysir's right - there are some signs that we've turned a corner.

I think in Duff's absence the team is almost picked. I'm sure Hunt will start on the left, Kilbane & Carsley in the middle, Doyle & Keane upfront, Dunne & McShane at CB.

I'm not a fan of KK in the middle but it's what I expect. At least he won't be afarid to get stuck in and it's a good position to have one of the few leaders we have.

The only gaps are who plays RHM and how he configures the full backs. Potter has a chance in Aarhus to play himself into the team, moving KK left.

I'd actually be tempted to play Carr RHM, and Finnan and O'Shea at full back, but I'd be happy with Finnan RHM and Carr and O'Shea at full back, like in Paris. This way we can take a grip on the game and if the goals aren't coming any of the younger lads are an option, as is a shape change (which Stan seems to be understanding better). Murphy, Keogh, Stokes or Long, Stephen Ireland or Andy Reid if fit and on form can be utilised. On recent form I'm not inclined to advocate McGeady.

[SUB of the day]

Looking at it objectively, we have NO chance.If winning in Glasgow 20 years ago was our last serious scalp on the road, then wins in Bratislava Prague and Cardiff, from a team humbled in Cyprus and San Marino, are highly unlikely.Avoiding defeat to the Czechs is key to us remaining competitive in the group My predictions are, draw in Bratislava, defeat in Prague, draw with Germany, win v Cyprus, draw v Wales......19 points 3rd in group....enough to save the World Class management.

[RogerMilla]

i will go for draw in bratislava , defeat in prag , beat the germans cyprans and welsh

[paul_oshea]

unfortunately i see sub_of_the_days prediction as the most realistic ones, however thats not to say the czechs dont slip up as well though. However I have tickets for the euro finals, and I cant afford them so im pretty confident we will qualify.....somehow.

[RogerMilla]

paul o'shea , ireland are at 5-1 to qualify so all you need to do is find one fifth of the price of the tickets and then put that money on ireland to qualify , tickets covered

[NeilMcD]

I actually think we're better against better teams. Germany away had its flaws but the same level of commitment with a central midfield that's at least functional will give us a chance. Most other parts performed well.

The challenge has been thrown down. The September games will be a test of Stan's motivational skills & the players' application if nothing else. If the team is set up properly and they play like they have to win then I think we can be good enough. I think Geysir's right - there are some signs that we've turned a corner.

I think in Duff's absence the team is almost picked. I'm sure Hunt will start on the left, Kilbane & Carsley in the middle, Doyle & Keane upfront, Dunne & McShane at CB.

I'm not a fan of KK in the middle but it's what I expect. At least he won't be afarid to get stuck in and it's a good position to have one of the few leaders we have.

The only gaps are who plays RHM and how he configures the full backs. Potter has a chance in Aarhus to play himself into the team, moving KK left.

I'd actually be tempted to play Carr RHM, and Finnan and O'Shea at full back, but I'd be happy with Finnan RHM and Carr and O'Shea at full back, like in Paris. This way we can take a grip on the game and if the goals aren't coming any of the younger lads are an option, as is a shape change (which Stan seems to be understanding better). Murphy, Keogh, Stokes or Long, Stephen Ireland or Andy Reid if fit and on form can be utilised. On recent form I'm not inclined to advocate McGeady.

I think we should keep the back five from the games against the Welsh and the Slovaks as we kept two clean sheets. I think this is the way that Staunton may go. I think he will want to play Kilbane and Carsley and ireland and Doyle and Keane. Hunt is bold enough and

So

Given

O Shea Mc Shane Dunne Finnan

Carsley

Hunt Ireland Kilbane


Keane

Doyle


Personally I would have Andy Reid or Stephen Reid bac in there instead of Kilbane but thats not going to happen.

[Paulie]

I think that nearly despite ourselves we've crawled back into a situation whereby qualification is in our own hands. The most encouraging thing for me at the moment is the poor form of the Czechs in this group. They started very well by beating Slovakia away easily enough but that performance aside I don't think they have been very impressive. At home to Wales it took a last minute goal to beat them 2-1 after Wales missed 3 or 4 one on ones during the game and they were far from impressive in Cardiff on Saturday. They were lucky to get a draw at Lansdowne. At home to Cyprus they scraped a 1-0 win and at home to Germany they were beaten 2-1. I know that we haven't been great in the group ourselves but I'm just trying to point out that it appears this Czech team is one in decline. If we can get 4 points from the double-header, which I believe we are capable of getting, then I reckon we have a great chance of qualifying. There's still a long way to go in this group yet.

[paul_oshea]

paul o'shea , ireland are at 5-1 to qualify so all you need to do is find one fifth of the price of the tickets and then put that money on ireland to qualify , tickets covered

Who is this with? I am definately tempted. However if they dont qualify i would be doubly upset. I would rather bet against htem and lost my money and then qualify!!!!

[geysir]

Personally I would have Andy Reid or Stephen Reid bac in there instead of Kilbane but thats not going to happen.

Do you think they won't be fit enough by the time of the away games? or than Stan would go with Kilbane regardless?

I'd say he would start S Reid in the middle if he was fit.

[RogerMilla]

Who is this with? I am definately tempted. However if they dont qualify i would be doubly upset. I would rather bet against htem and lost my money and then qualify!!!!

they are 6.0 on betfair , yeah you could always bet against them but sadly the odds are poor

[shakermaker1982]

I think we should keep the back five from the games against the Welsh and the Slovaks as we kept two clean sheets. I think this is the way that Staunton may go. I think he will want to play Kilbane and Carsley and ireland and Doyle and Keane. Hunt is bold enough and

So

Given

O Shea Mc Shane Dunne Finnan

Carsley

Hunt Ireland Kilbane


Keane

Doyle


Personally I would have Andy Reid or Stephen Reid bac in there instead of Kilbane but thats not going to happen.

That is the team I think Stan will go for as well - injuries permitting. Like you I'd rather see Kilbane on the bench. If S Reid gets some game time under his belt though in August then he'd have a decent chance of contesting for a berth in MF.

[Stuttgart88]

Both Hunt & KK are terribly one footed - left - so can he play them both in that shape?

Logic would suggest a fit Steven Reid playing centre or RHS of a 3 man midfield in a 4-3-1-2, but Stan's "form" suggests anything but. His selection at RHM in a 442 in Stuttgart was a terrible choice in my opinion, one that hopefully has taught a harsh lesson..

[shakermaker1982]

Both Hunt & KK are terribly one footed - left - so can he play them both in that shape?

Logic would suggest a fit Steven Reid playing centre or RHS ofa 3 man midfield in a 4-3-1-2, but Stan's "form" suggests anything but. His selection RHM in a 442 in Stuttgart was a terrible choice in my opinion.

This is Stan we are talking about!

He might choose to play Keano upfront on his own which means losing Doyle to the bench. A travesty if you ask me. He'll then beef up the MF with Kilbane on the left, Hunt on the right with Carsley, Ireland and probably S Reid in the centre.

[NeilMcD]

Yeah I think Keane can play in the role that Stephen Ireland played against Slovakia. I would like to see Ireland in there beside him as he can pass a ball and score a goal all valuable assests from a midfileder. Hunt Carsley and Kilbane will work hard enough in the midfiled to compensate any perceived lack of work ethic ir bite from Ireland.

I agree Kilbane and Hunt are very 1 footed but I am sure that Hunt can play right side of midfield. I would rather that that Stephen Carr over there. I think its about attitude with this Irish team and the likes of Mc Shane, Doyle, Hunt Ireland and Carsley have give the usuals a bit of a shake up of late and they should be rewarded for that in my view.

[Noelys Guitar]

The only way Stan will drop Kilbane is KK not getting his game for Wigan. Darryl Murphy might be pushing for a spot as well if he continues to improve and shows it in the first month of the premiership. But I expect Stan to go with KK and Hunt if both playing and both fit.

[Ordinary Fan]

We are rubbish away under every manager.
We will be missing our only dreative player (Duff)
Our two CB's are on Yellow cards.

The swing in mood since March 28th is remarkable it migh be better if Wales had lost so we can keep our feet on the ground.

Wales have given us a chance but our home result against the Czechs will be the killer blow when the dust settles.

Sub of the day has called it about right

[Noelys Guitar]

This is Stan we are talking about!

He might choose to play Keano upfront on his own which means losing Doyle to the bench. A travesty if you ask me. He'll then beef up the MF with Kilbane on the left, Hunt on the right with Carsley, Ireland and probably S Reid in the centre.

I really hope he dosen't do that but you never know with Stan. Doyle looks like scoring in every game he plays. Very brave player. We would have a real goal threat with him and Keane up front. And that for me always trumps the 4-5-1 by keeping oppositon defenders in defence and not allowing them to settle.

[lionelhutz]

I would give Stan great credit if he put out a positive team in the two away matches in sep. A positive team would be;
Given
Finnan McShane Dunne O'Shea
S.Reid Carsley Ireland Hunt
Keane Doyle

Now i know this is highly unlikely cos he seems to be in love with Kilbane and his 7 million caps (no matter how much "experience" he has stan, he's still crap), but this would be such a refreshin change to whats happened wit previous irish managers such as charlton, mccarthy and kerr who've put out such negative teams in decisive away games

[NeilMcD]

It just goes to show are real problem position at the moment is right side of midfield.