Republic of Ireland V Bulgaria - Saturday, 28th March 2009 - World Cup 2010 Q

**Scram** · 26/03/2009, 3:19 PM

Predict 0-0

Hope for 2-0

**tetsujin1979** · 26/03/2009, 3:33 PM

Bojinov out, according to Man City's website: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pa...newsid=6629592

**TerryPhelan** · 26/03/2009, 3:34 PM

With Berbatov (injured most likely - though it's not definite he won't play), Bojinov (injury), Domovchiyski (club refused to release him), Martin Petrov (injury) and now possibly Stiliyan Petrov (hamstring pulled in training yesterday) all out injured; coupled with the fact that we will have home advantage and - but for the absence of Finnan and S. Reid - a full-strength side (from Trap's point of view at least), surely this is the best chance we will have of beating Bulgaria and really turning up the heat in this group?

Think about it. As has already been pointed out on this forum, these are the club teams to which the Bulgarian defence belong.

Litex Lovech
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C.
CSKA Sofia
Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.
Levski Sofia (Milanov - who now has pulled up with injury)
Litex Lovech

I know they will probably look at Paul McShane and - much like Cassano - even Kevin Kilbane and not exactly be quaking in their boots, but nonetheless: surely we should be expecting to beat this team? I don't expect us to do it stylishly or prettily, but despite the undoubted technical superiority of the Bulgarians, we should surely be confident of a win.

This is not how I sound typically before Ireland games, but after years and years of seeing games of this kind of defining importance and influence roll around (Israel, Switzerland, Russia, Portugal) so often and only see us emerge with a point - which, as a result, only acts as a deferral of pressure to later in the campaign to produce the win we need (for instance, I always thought Kerr was tempting fate by being so content with the away draws against Switzerland and France as if he saw it as being a fait accompli that we would do the business at home and beat them) - I just feel that if we are going to do it, then our best chance is now. In front of our own fans, with a near full-strength side, against a team missing - in our parlance - their Keane, Duff and Dunne, as well as a number of lesser lights. Now is the time. A draw is not good enough. Trap is already being styled as a lucky manager but we have been given every break going approaching this tie. All of Bulgaria's best players are out. We're at home. We're seven points ahead of them (4 if you take away the game in hand). Now is our chance to bury them. We can't be expecting to magically produce that impossibly elusive away win against them in Sofia when they'll have these guys back, or when we might be dealing with injuries of our own. We have been handed a fantastic chance to lay down a marker and beat our nearest rivals for the play-off spot (we can focus on Italy afterwards). What do you lads think?

**Brendan 82** · 26/03/2009, 4:21 PM

I agree with that. Their defence must surely be weak? If I was a neutral I would fully expect Keane, McGeady, and Doyle to rip these guys up.

I disagree with Eirebhoy that if Bulgaria lose this game they are not out. Technically they will still be in it, but a defeat on Saturday would be psychologically devastating.

I think we will be pleasantly surprised by how weak they will be.

People forget that Hector Cuper is an absolutely brilliant manager and the main reason behind Georgia's excellent performance in Dublin. This Bulgarian team is a shambles, we'll hammer em.

**Montenegrin** · 26/03/2009, 5:36 PM

As I said before,I think that you will have no problems with Bulgaria,becouse they are just not good enough.Serbia beat them 6-1 in friendly match for god sake.
I,off course,hope that you will draw with them,but I dont think it is realistic.

**irishultra** · 26/03/2009, 5:37 PM

Originally Posted by Montenegrin

As I said before,I think that you will have no problems with Bulgaria,becouse they are just not good enough.Serbia beat them 6-1 in friendly match for god sake.
I,off course,hope that you will draw with them,but I dont think it is realistic.

hey its been a while

please beat italy

**paul_oshea** · 26/03/2009, 5:39 PM

ya please beat italy, that is all i ask. Thank you and good night.

**Oink** · 27/03/2009, 8:17 AM

Originally Posted by TerryPhelan

With Berbatov (injured most likely - though it's not definite he won't play), Bojinov (injury), Domovchiyski (club refused to release him), Martin Petrov (injury) and now possibly Stiliyan Petrov (hamstring pulled in training yesterday) all out injured; coupled with the fact that we will have home advantage and - but for the absence of Finnan and S. Reid - a full-strength side (from Trap's point of view at least), surely this is the best chance we will have of beating Bulgaria and really turning up the heat in this group?

Think about it. As has already been pointed out on this forum, these are the club teams to which the Bulgarian defence belong.

Litex Lovech
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C.
CSKA Sofia
Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.
Levski Sofia (Milanov - who now has pulled up with injury)
Litex Lovech

I know they will probably look at Paul McShane and - much like Cassano - even Kevin Kilbane and not exactly be quaking in their boots, but nonetheless: surely we should be expecting to beat this team? I don't expect us to do it stylishly or prettily, but despite the undoubted technical superiority of the Bulgarians, we should surely be confident of a win.

This is not how I sound typically before Ireland games, but after years and years of seeing games of this kind of defining importance and influence roll around (Israel, Switzerland, Russia, Portugal) so often and only see us emerge with a point - which, as a result, only acts as a deferral of pressure to later in the campaign to produce the win we need (for instance, I always thought Kerr was tempting fate by being so content with the away draws against Switzerland and France as if he saw it as being a fait accompli that we would do the business at home and beat them) - I just feel that if we are going to do it, then our best chance is now. In front of our own fans, with a near full-strength side, against a team missing - in our parlance - their Keane, Duff and Dunne, as well as a number of lesser lights. Now is the time. A draw is not good enough. Trap is already being styled as a lucky manager but we have been given every break going approaching this tie. All of Bulgaria's best players are out. We're at home. We're seven points ahead of them (4 if you take away the game in hand). Now is our chance to bury them. We can't be expecting to magically produce that impossibly elusive away win against them in Sofia when they'll have these guys back, or when we might be dealing with injuries of our own. We have been handed a fantastic chance to lay down a marker and beat our nearest rivals for the play-off spot (we can focus on Italy afterwards). What do you lads think?

You're spot on with your summarization, most people who say we will struggle against Bulgaria will back it up with little evidence or fact... merely citing the are "Technically better"?

On and off paper we most certainly have the upper hand. These are the games we need to win and , as you say, the attitude Kerr had was like crossing a bridge with one end on fire.

**corkboy360** · 27/03/2009, 8:18 AM

Looking at the squad and injuries 2points from 2 games would be good.

**elroy** · 27/03/2009, 8:28 AM

Originally Posted by irishultra

hey its been a while

please beat italy

Not so sure about that guys, I think a draw would be the best result. Last thing we want is Montenegro up our asses.

Preferably get as many of the Italian team booked/sent off as possible!!

**Scram** · 27/03/2009, 8:59 AM

Originally Posted by elroy

Not so sure about that guys, I think a draw would be the best result. Last thing we want is Montenegro up our asses.

Monty who?

OUCH.

**tetsujin1979** · 27/03/2009, 9:22 AM

Anthony Stokes called into the squad: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=4138

**Dun Laoire** · 27/03/2009, 9:31 AM

If we can edge Bulgaria with a narrow victory i think we will get something in Italy for sure. Even a draw won't be the worst result but i think if we lose it might knock us for six and belief might not be as high going into Wednesday.

**gwhite** · 27/03/2009, 10:11 AM

I would've called Morrison, Reid, Lawrence or one of the Quinns up before Stokes. Strange one that...

**Weatherman** · 27/03/2009, 10:29 AM

Stokes ahead of reid?? trap really holds a grudge doesnt he!!! bet reid will never call him granda again!!!!

**frog-gufc** · 27/03/2009, 10:30 AM

ya i cant understand not calling up liam lawrence, i think its safe to say andy reid is gone altogether while trap is in charge, stokes attitude stinks

**tetsujin1979** · 27/03/2009, 11:12 AM

Stokes getting the call does surprise me, but has Trapattoni ever called up Lawrence? He's not going to call up a player he's never seen so close to the game.

**gwhite** · 27/03/2009, 11:26 AM

He called up Lawrence for the B game against Forest but he got injured. He's started the last few games for Stoke too. As for Stokes, I'm surprised he could hear his phone ringing in whatever nightclub he was in when he got the call.

**Torn-Ado** · 27/03/2009, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Brendan 82

I agree with that. Their defence must surely be weak? If I was a neutral I would fully expect Keane, McGeady, and Doyle to rip these guys up.

I disagree with Eirebhoy that if Bulgaria lose this game they are not out. Technically they will still be in it, but a defeat on Saturday would be psychologically devastating.

I think we will be pleasantly surprised by how weak they will be.

People forget that Hector Cuper is an absolutely brilliant manager and the main reason behind Georgia's excellent performance in Dublin. This Bulgarian team is a shambles, we'll hammer em.

We'll definetely not hammer them. Whilst they have very few household names playing in less glamouress leagues than the premiership, you can bet they''ll be far more technically gifted than us. Most Easten European teams are. I do not think that we'll lose at home in front of a big crowd but I can't see where the goals are going to come from either. Duff out is massive blow and will probably mean our only realistic creative outlet is McGeady.

0-0.