It's France

**Stuttgart88** · 20/10/2009, 10:00 AM

Trap should hang a banner in our dressing room "England B Team". That'll make sure the lads are fired up.

**endabob1** · 20/10/2009, 10:00 AM

Team talk sorted, blow up that article and pin it to the dressing room door "England B"....

Reminds me of Jake Whites comments that none of the Ireland team would get in the Springbok side the day before we beat them in 2004

**blobbyblob** · 20/10/2009, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'm absolutely pumped for this.

I've booked for Paris but not going to Dublin, which is a big gamble.

I think France are beatable though they're obviously favourites.

France are not a united squad, the manager has little authority, their results have been unimpressive and they unconvincing keeper and central defence. Arguably France is the most vulnerable to Trap's tactics of frustrating the opposition in possession and us being a threat from set pieces. That's the "glass half full" outlook anyway.

If we keep Croke park score tight we will through the kitchen sink at them in Paris. This one is ours for the taking and say what you like and play it down if you must - You dont take Italy to within 1 minute of their first lost in two years with a bunch of Sunday league hackers.

**paul_oshea** · 20/10/2009, 10:10 AM

mAKE SURE they get a french translation as well.

Maybe we could call the french team the african A team. Or would that be deemed a bit of a faux pas?!

**SuperDave** · 20/10/2009, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Trap should hang a banner in our dressing room "England B Team". That'll make sure the lads are fired up.

Methinks they'll be pretty pumped up already. This is the last chance for a world cup appearance for Dunne, Duff, Kilbane, Keane and Given (probably).

**Polster** · 20/10/2009, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by endabob1

Team talk sorted, blow up that article and pin it to the dressing room door "England B"....

Reminds me of Jake Whites comments that none of the Ireland team would get in the Springbok side the day before we beat them in 2006

Given - Lifford
O Shea - Ferrybank
Dunne - Tallaght
Ledger - Grandfather from Carlow
Kilbane - Both parents from Ireland
Duffer - Dublin
Andrews - Dublin
Whelan - Dublin
Hunt - Carrick on Suir
Doyle - Adamstown
Keane - Tallaght

So from our last starting line up, only two weren't born in Ireland, and Kilbanes whole family are Irish, and wont meet as proud an irish man as Kilbane. So only Ledger was in by the grandparent rule.

Its an old storey that does not stand up anymore. I never had a problem with it in the past, but it shows the ignorance of foreigners that they feel they need to throw it our way as some effort of an insult.

In the opposite way, a lot of the French players family back grounds are African or further a field. Look at some of their 1998 world cup winning team.....

Zidane, hailing from Algeria
Vierra born in Senegal
Desailly born in Ghana
Makelele born in Zaire
Thuram born in Gualeluope (west indies region)
Djorkaeff - born in france, Polish father, Armenian mother
Karembeu - New Caledonia - Southwest Pacific
(few other lesser known players to)

Raymond Domenech - From Spanish and Catalan descent...

**geysir** · 20/10/2009, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Polster

Given - Lifford

Its an old storey that does not stand up anymore. I never had a problem with it in the past, but it shows the ignorance of foreigners that they feel they need to throw it our way as some effort of an insult.

Raymond Domenech - From Spanish and Catalan descent...

Domenech is referring to the style and quality of the players, not their birthplace.
I doubt he gives a fiddlers where the players are born.

**paul_oshea** · 20/10/2009, 10:53 AM

Yes I read it that way too geysir, he is referring to the fact all our players play in England but wouldn't be good enough to play in the English team.

**Polster** · 20/10/2009, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Yes I read it that way too geysir, he is referring to the fact all our players play in England but wouldn't be good enough to play in the English team.

Granted, I didn't read it, but it still makes no sense, we have a superior record against england over the last 21 years, but why compare teams like that, we're Irish, not English. If our players were English, not very many would even make an English B team. If my uncle were my auntie....

**Brigader** · 20/10/2009, 11:42 AM

Anybody's thoughts on Domenech's recent opinion on callin the Irish squad an England B team?

**Leeside Swagger** · 20/10/2009, 11:47 AM

See the "Its France" thread.

**backstothewall** · 20/10/2009, 11:51 AM

If England are to go through I think its essential they get a clean sheet in Dublin, which in my opinion makes McGeady a luxury for this leg. I think they also have to take a chance and throw Finnan and Reid straight back in to the mix, moving O'Shea to the left full slot.

My team would be

------------Given-------------
Finnan St. Ledger Dunne O'Shea
Lawrence Reid Whelan Duff
----------Keane Doyle---------

McGeady
Westwood
Kilbane
Hunt
Best
Andrews
O'Dea

**centre mid** · 20/10/2009, 11:52 AM

Domenech has an awful record when it comes to playing teams with Italian managers (ok Italy), 2-0 to Trap in the psych war.

**centre mid** · 20/10/2009, 11:58 AM

Domenech really is some dope.

**EalingGreen** · 20/10/2009, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by centre mid

Domenech has an awful record when it comes to playing teams with Italian managers (ok Italy), 2-0 to Trap in the psych war.

Oh I don't know. Fabio Capello might disagree. You know, the guy who manages, ahem, England 'A':

http://www.thefa.com/England/MensSen...ive.aspx?x=862

**alltogethernow** · 20/10/2009, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by elroy

Fcuk that, no way, we def need an evening kick off ie like the Italian game. All that will be needed it to change the posts, repaint the pitch and put up advertising hoardings etc. Im sure they'll manage that in the time between the two games.

Easier said than done especially if the locals kick up a fuss. What is the capacity for the rugby? Are they selling the Hill as standing or seating?

**Reality Bites** · 20/10/2009, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

If England are to go through I think its essential they get a clean sheet in Dublin, which in my opinion makes McGeady a luxury for this leg. I think they also have to take a chance and throw Finnan and Reid straight back in to the mix, moving O'Shea to the left full slot.

My team would be

------------Given-------------
Finnan St. Ledger Dunne O'Shea
Lawrence Reid Whelan Duff
----------Keane Doyle---------

McGeady
Westwood
Kilbane
Hunt
Best
Andrews
O'Dea

Right Team, wonder will S Reid be available

**blobbyblob** · 20/10/2009, 12:13 PM

"If they(the french people) remember our last confrontation at the stage of France in October, 2004, there was the presence of 30.000 Irish in the stadium. Already if we could avoid that, it would be a first win. I make an appeal to those who support the Team of France to rally quickly and credit of bleachers in blue, white, red. It will be necessary to be competitive on both matches until last second. "

http://www.fff.fr/bleus/actu/530946.shtml