Northern Ireland Qualifiers

[adamcarr]

They'll lose to the Slovaks and beat the Czechs.

[EalingGreen]

What will their starting XI be do ye think?

Normally the team pretty much picks itself, but there's some doubt over this one, though this is more to do with reasons of formation than personnel.

Under Sanchez, we settled on a straight 4-4-2, which generally served us well, esp because Healy needs a big guy for a partner up front (originally Quinn, then Lafferty). In the past we've tried 4-5-1, primarily due to an imbalance between defenders (plenty) and strikers (one), but it was a disaster (esp under McIlroy, God Help Us)

However, our weakness is still our away form, so it is tempting to just be realistic and grind out a few draws, in which case 4-5-1 still looks tempting. This is especially so since Lafferty, our only real Big Man to play alongside Healy, is out of the Slovakia game.

Moreover, Nigel used 4-5-1 (Laff also injured) in the recent 0-0 warm-up away to Scotland, where we performed tidily enough. So it may just be that our players have now developed the maturity and experience to be able to try a "Plan B".

Therefore, I suspect Nigel will go for 4-5-1, as follows:
GK - Taylor
RB - Evans
CB - Hughes (Capt.)
CB - Craigan
LB - McCartney

RM - Gillespie
CM - Davis
CM - Baird
CM - Clingan
LM - Brunt

STKR - God.

The personnel could change, mind. Evans was magnificent at CB against the Jocks (Hughes was injured) and our classiest CB pairing is Hughes and Evans. But Craigan is one of those players who raises his game for NI and Nigel had to admit his mistake in leaving out of his first couple of lineups last year.
Plus, we've no real settled right back, having tried Baird, Duff and McAuley in that position - all natural Centre Backs. And tbh, Evans is good enough to play anywhere.

As for midfield, although Baird has been awful for the last 12 months (Fulham and NI), Nigel picked him as covering midfielder against Scotland and he actually had his best game for ages. I have a feeling he might repeat the experiment on Saturday.

If so, I'm sure Nigel will fill the bench with attacking subs, inc. Feeney, Paterson and Shiels, so that we can switch to 4-4-2 (or even 4-4-3), if we go behind in Slovakia.

Tbh, a point would probably do us, especially since Lafferty might be fit for Wednesday, in which case we can go for it with our best 4-4-2 against the Czechs.

P.S. As I typed this, it was great to realise that we now have at least some options, unlike the past, when it was usually a scramble to put out an XI from the motley collection of waifs and strays who could be bothered to turn up!

[EalingGreen]

They'll lose to the Slovaks and beat the Czechs.

I might just take that, since I doubt the Slovaks have the consistency to put in a challenge over 10 games.

And if we are to squeeze in in 2nd place, I strongly suspect we will have to take 4 points each against the Czechs and Poles, hope that they cancel each other out, then rely Slovenia and Slovakia to nick the odd point from them.

[cheifo]

N.I. have had some highly impressive results at Windsor in the last few years playing what I presume is a tight 4-4-2 system.This works a treat when you have a striker like Healy who can be relied upon to score goals.

I think Trapp is going the same way with us with two combative midfielders who hold their position.

[Bottle of Tonic]

I see some of the NI fans took a batein in the Dubliner bar in Bratislava. (bbc website) Having been there this time last year i'm not surprised. They had four heavies kitted out in army gear as bouncers and wouldn't let any of us in when the place was only half full. Total cants.

[shakermaker1982]

I see some of the NI fans took a batein in the Dubliner bar in Bratislava. (bbc website) Having been there this time last year i'm not surprised. They had four heavies kitted out in army gear as bouncers and wouldn't let any of us in when the place was only half full. Total cants.

I noticed that. It's a pity they couldn't catch the culprits and drop them on the Shankhill Road for a laugh when they meet in the return leg.

Scumbags. Unprovoked as well.

[irishultra]

Unlucky NI, they deserved something from that game. I think Worthington is a good manager, just they were sloppy in defence. They got an average group, Poland are second seeds, and a poor second seed(on paper) and Czech Republic are an average team.

[OwlsFan]

Saw the highlights of the game. Norn Iron seemed the better team, denied an obvious peno, Healy missed a few chances and conceded from a set piece. Fair few supporters at the game as well in a half empty stadium..

[Rovers Maniac]

Delighted great result for them !

[ruben_sosa]

I noticed that. It's a pity they couldn't catch the culprits and drop them on the Shankhill Road for a laugh when they meet in the return leg.

Scumbags. Unprovoked as well.

maybe they were singing sectarian songs and the owner took exception to it ?

[Pauro 76]

and Sosa all of us.

[Steve Bruce]

I noticed that. It's a pity they couldn't catch the culprits and drop them on the Shankhill Road for a laugh when they meet in the return leg.

Scumbags. Unprovoked as well.

There's no H in Shankill Road mate.

[Closed Account 2]

You mean there is only 1 rather than 2, right ?

[Gather round]

maybe they were singing sectarian songs and the owner took exception to it ?

It seems they were singing about a watermelon- even if they weren't, how many Bratislavan locals are likely to recognise a Belfast sectarian song?

They're not even a real country anyways..

Just concentrate on not conceding five next time ye play half a country

[shakermaker1982]

There's no H in Shankill Road mate.

sorry a typo. At least somebody reads my posts!

[Hibs4Ever]

I don't know if I'm alone here, but I hope Northern Ireland lose every game they play, just as I do with England. They're not even a real country anyways..

You not alone

[geysir]

No wonder you live in a cave


The Czech form was mixed on their travels in the Euro Qualifiers.
A point would be a good result for them.
The knives from the unforgiving will be out for Worthington if this game slips away from NI.

[Gather round]

The Czech form was mixed on their travels in the Euro Qualifiers. A point would be a good result for them. The knives from the unforgiving will be out for Worthington if this game slips away from NI.

I think both would be satisfied with a draw.

There is always the unforgiving minority, but most will give Worthy the first four games before putting the boot in. We're the eighth smallest country in Europe- you have to be realistic

[HarpoJoyce]

I don't know if I'm alone here, but I hope Northern Ireland lose every game they play, just as I do with England. They're not even a real country anyways..

....
Just concentrate on not conceding five next time ye play half a country

You not alone

Comrade, I salute you....

It is funny reading the intole-RANT types who use the 'province' argument but support other Teams in Europe with even less reason to split and represent a nation.

Europe is an interesting and varied place. It drives ignoRANT types round the bend (Still correctly to the left-hand side).

History defeats you.......again.

[irishultra]

North are basically out, but a good enough result.