Cyprus V Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 5th September 2009 - World Cup 2010 Q

**Noelys Guitar** · 31/08/2009, 9:32 PM

Originally Posted by Lenny82

With Foley and SSL out injured who do you think should be drafted in to replace them? It would be a toss up between Bruce and O'Dea to replace SSL but I think Trap would go for Bruce.

I personally would like to see Carr get called up to replace Foley and I would start him at right back and have Dunne/O'Shea as the centre halves.

Kilbane will definitely keep his place and I think he will relish this chance to make up for the Bulgaria Fcuk up's!!

I would draft Carr in as well. Not going to happen as he is in retirement and Trap will only pick from those previously selected in his squads. So if SSL is out then it will be Kelly at RB. Carr played well on Saturday apart from that last minute slip up which cost Birmingham the game.

**tetsujin1979** · 31/08/2009, 9:46 PM

O'Shea and Dunne to resume their centre half partnership, Bruce on the bench to come on. Kilbane or Nolan at left full, Kelly at right full

**Wolfie** · 01/09/2009, 12:36 PM

Set your faces to stunned - I can now exclusively reveal the cause of many of our poor results in qualifiers over the years.

My trips to the pub.

Just check this list of woe and suffering - all down to my watching the game in the oul battle cruiser:

Austria (away), Macedonia (Away - twice),Belgium (Away), Croatia (Away), Swiss (Away), Israel (Away), Spain (World Cup), Turkey (Away).

I'll be watching at home on Saturday.

**DeLorean** · 01/09/2009, 1:24 PM

To think we could have won the World Cup if it wasn't for you and your selfish drinking habbits!! Plenty of crap results not on the list that I presume you watched at home, still though seems the safer bet alright.

**shakermaker1982** · 01/09/2009, 1:46 PM

I think Wolfie is on to something. I've avoided one particular pub after bad experiences against the Swiss (x2) and Cyprus away last time out. On the plus side one of of the lads who takes 1 of my tickets from by block booking booking has only ever seen Ireland lose once (to Brazil, missed other games on account of various ailments) and rest assured he will be going to see the Italy and Montenegro game!

**Stuttgart88** · 01/09/2009, 2:01 PM

Originally Posted by Wolfie

Set your faces to stunned - I can now exclusively reveal the cause of many of our poor results in qualifiers over the years.

My trips to the pub.

Just check this list of woe and suffering - all down to my watching the game in the oul battle cruiser:

Austria (away), Macedonia (Away - twice),Belgium (Away), Croatia (Away), Swiss (Away), Israel (Away), Spain (World Cup), Turkey (Away).

I'll be watching at home on Saturday.

I have a similar superstition. However, on careful analysis I finally twigged that our poor results were more as a consequence of us being sh1t rather than where I chose to watch.

That said, I returned to the source of one particularly bad run of form to watch the Georgia away game. Since then I have watched any game I haven't been to in the same pub with the same 2 punters - 2 guys I didn't know prior to the game in Mainz - and we're on this good unbeaten run. That's where'll I'll be watching on Sat.

**Wolfie** · 01/09/2009, 2:02 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

I think Wolfie is on to something. I've avoided one particular pub after bad experiences against the Swiss (x2) and Cyprus away last time out. On the plus side one of of the lads who takes 1 of my tickets from by block booking booking has only ever seen Ireland lose once (to Brazil, missed other games on account of various ailments) and rest assured he will be going to see the Italy and Montenegro game!

How could I forget Cyprus away last time. I was in the pub for that one, too.

On the plus side - I've also had a handy knack of getting us a goal by heading to the jacks for a slash.

For example, our equaliser against Belgium in 97 - yep, my trip to the jacks was down to that one.

Israel away - Clinton Morrison's goal I hear you say - nope - that was down to a Wolfie widdle.

**Wolfie** · 01/09/2009, 2:04 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

However, on careful analysis I finally twigged that our poor results were more as a consequence of us being sh1t rather than where I chose to watch.

Now that's the sort of crazy talk that could not only destroy your credibility but get you locked up, Stutts.

**paul_oshea** · 01/09/2009, 2:26 PM

Stutts what pub is that and I might join you and your 2 punter NBFs

**tetsujin1979** · 01/09/2009, 2:28 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Stutts what pub is that and I might join you and your 2 punter NBFs

and jinx it?? what are you, nuts?

**Wolfie** · 01/09/2009, 2:41 PM

Yes - we've sad too much already. Everybody keep up their usual superstitious behaviour supplemented with round the clock praying, please.

Best not drag this topic any further from its moorings.

Now, what do you make of that whole Stephen Ireland thing?

**geysir** · 01/09/2009, 2:50 PM

When all is said and done in regards to the upcoming match, some might argue that a threatened jinx in the making, is highly relevant.

Paul's capacity one day, to find a pub on the other side of London altogether and another day manage to get lost on his way from the pub to the match stadium just around the corner, is sure evidence of a jinxer.

**NeilMcD** · 01/09/2009, 2:52 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

and jinx it?? what are you, nuts?

Best excuse ever for not letting Paul O Shea join you.

**eaststand85** · 01/09/2009, 3:39 PM

Ireland to win 2-1 or 3-1 (still not confident we can keep a clean sheet). Thankfully the days of Stan are behind us and the improvement we've made under Trap along with the motivation for revenge and a chance to have a go at Italy for top spot in the group should be enough to pull us through.

Speaking of superstitions I watched the 2006 match in Kilkenny on a stag and also going on a stag this weekend but it's in Killarney so hopefully won't be an issue. Getting nervous already!

**Supreme feet** · 01/09/2009, 3:46 PM

Had a dream last night that we won 2-0. Caleb Folan and a Glenn Whelan free-kick. Hmm...

**elroy** · 01/09/2009, 3:46 PM

Not to mention the counting down the clock technique......the last game against bulgaria been the perfect example.

Look at the clock, half hour to go, 29 mins to go, 28 mins to go, 27 and so on and so on. I never live every min as much as an Ireland game and of course for 99% of our games, we never comfortable for any of it.
Of course you think the closer you get the full time the more confident you'll get of a result.........but from past experiences (in particular twice in the one week not that long ago) am more of a wreck when we hit the last five mins.

**elroy** · 01/09/2009, 3:47 PM

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

Glenn Whelan free-kick. Hmm...

You could be onto something here, the lad has started the season well for Stoke (missed the first game i know but other than that has done well).

**Stuttgart88** · 01/09/2009, 4:09 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Stutts what pub is that and I might join you and your 2 punter NBFs

Nah, last agme I watched with you we lost in Czech Rep. 1-0.

That has ruled out Barrett's in Cricklewood forever & you forever. I'm not sure was it the pub, you or both, but I'm not taking any chances.