Play Off Predictions?

**Metrostars** · 10/11/2009, 8:53 PM

1-0 to us at the Croker and 1-0 to us in Paris. First game will be decided by a 35th minute header from none other than Sean St Ledger off a corner kick. Baton down the hatches time but heroic defending by Dunne and O'Shea along with breathtaking goalkeeping from Shay preserve the slender lead.

The second game will be a tense affair and will get very nervy just before half time when Kilbane gets away with pulling down Henry in the penalty area. Two minutes after half time the reverse happens when Aiden McGeady takes a dive in the penalty area with the referee ruling that Gallas tripped him. Robbie makes it 2-0 on aggregate, Domenech in his wisdom substitutes Henry in the 66th and France's challenge ends rather meekly.

**stiffler** · 10/11/2009, 9:15 PM

1 nil at Croke, Dunne to score header, 58th min. (125/1 now lads- lump on).

Squeaky bum time in Paris but we pull through in the end.

**Hibernian** · 10/11/2009, 9:40 PM

I hope we do it I really do.

Il go 1-1 from first leg then 2-2 in second that will do.

We wont beat them but they wont beat us and we get through on away goals.

Ill take that

**Fixer82** · 10/11/2009, 9:46 PM

howya lads. My maiden post so go easy on me

I predict a 0-0 in Croker and 1-1 over there with some very tense final minutes for the boys in green. I would personally go for Lawrence and Duff in Croker. Lawrence is more defensive than McGeady and probably more consistent though obviously doesnt have as much flair.
McGeady can be brought on if that spark is needed. As can Hunt!

I think it would be good for us if we don't win at home but obviously don't concede. If we do they will be all guns blazing over there from the get-go and that could be disastrous for us!

**geysir** · 10/11/2009, 10:02 PM

France have never qualified for the Finals through the play offs before.

**Yard of Pace** · 10/11/2009, 10:05 PM

The world gives their predictions:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/ne...ll+play+heroes

Nice to read messages from fellas in Italy and Argentina hoping we dump out France!

**FatGav** · 10/11/2009, 10:06 PM

A clean sheet at Croker is crucial. I don't fancy us if the French have their tails up with an away goal. I'd honestly nearly take 0-0 over a 2-1 win because if we go over there knowing we can go through with a score draw, we'd play with more confidence then if we defended with ten men for ninety minutes.

**paul_oshea** · 10/11/2009, 10:07 PM

are you saying france haven't played in the playoffs before/

**Hibernian** · 10/11/2009, 10:11 PM

Just thinking there this day next week ill be stuck in Luton airport after getting flight from Dublin waiting for flight next morning to Paris...hmm only 168 hours go then till that torture lol

**geysir** · 10/11/2009, 10:13 PM

are you saying france haven't played in the playoffs before/

That may be the reason for them not qualifying through the play offs.

We are experienced hands when it comes to doing play offs.

**Colbert Report** · 10/11/2009, 10:25 PM

Not to creep anyone out here, but I had a dream last night that it was 2-2 in Dublin and Stephen Hunt took the French goalkeeper's ear clean off his head with a crunching Cech-style tackle. We scored the resulting penalty (dreams are weird huh?) and took the 3-2 lead to Paris.

**Colbert Report** · 10/11/2009, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

That may be the reason for them not qualifying through the play offs.

We are experienced hands when it comes to doing play offs.

Only Given, Kilbane and Keane were involved in the 2001 play-off against Iran.

**paul_oshea** · 10/11/2009, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

That may be the reason for them not qualifying through the play offs.

We are experienced hands when it comes to doing play offs.

Yes, I thought thats what you were alluding to with that somewhat vague, on purpose, post!

Mr Semantics.

**geysir** · 11/11/2009, 10:08 AM

It's only Wednesday but that strange anxious gut feeling surfaced when I read that they were practicing penalties.
Robbie missed his, I suppose that means Shay saved one.

Trap subtly reassures us that God is on our side,
"I believe that if you help yourself, God will help you."

**geysir** · 11/11/2009, 10:20 AM

Lawrenson (cheekily) begins his article with "I know we Irish love a good debate"

We know you never forsook us.

"But I am optimistic....."
"Also during the games, in terms of turning it around, I would back Trapattoni rather than Domenech to make the right tactical calls.
If you watch Trapattoni during games, he makes very, very few tactical mistakes and I'm pretty sure that Domenech makes lots."

**tetsujin1979** · 11/11/2009, 10:33 AM

"pretty sure"??
For what he's being paid to "write" these articles, he'd want to be a damn sight more confident than "pretty sure"

**Scram** · 11/11/2009, 4:05 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

"pretty sure"??
For what he's being paid to "write" these articles, he'd want to be a damn sight more confident than "pretty sure"

Yes pretty poor if he can make a comment like that whilst making it clear that he wasn�t really sure if he was right i.e. absolutely no research!

**geysir** · 11/11/2009, 4:16 PM

He is making the comment based on his overall impression of Domenech down through the years. If the game is tight and it comes down to a manager's decision late on to sway things, most would be of the opinion that Trap has the advantage.

I�ll take Lawro's endorsement of our manager and our chances.

**tetsujin1979** · 11/11/2009, 4:29 PM

think you misunderstood geysir. if I was being paid the same as Lawrenson to "write" these columns, I'd put time, effort, and energy into finding instances of Domenech's tactical mistakes, then compare and contrast them with any that Trapattoni has made during his tenure.
There's no way I'd write something like "I'm pretty sure Domenench has made loads of tactical mistakes"

**Emmet7** · 11/11/2009, 4:31 PM

In fairness, I don't think Lawrenson would be expected to watch every French game during qualifying given that we only knew we were playing them a few weeks ago.

It's his assessment that Domenach makes tactical mistakes. Struggling to defeat the Faroe Islands and being defeated by other average teams would indicate serious tactical errors.

During the 2006 WC, Zidane showed his contempt for him by refusing to shake his hand when coming off the field and even it appeared shouting insults at him. I think Zidane felt it was he and the team who got to the final in spite of a clown of a manager, not because of him.

I really believe France would have won that world cup if they had a right coach. They scraped their way to the final thanks to the brillance of Zidane, Henry and Riberary.

However, the first rule of most competitive sports is never to underestimate the opponent. France are no mugs, I know it's a cliche, but it shouldn't be forgotten. As with the 2006 WC, they still have individual brillance, regardless of the tactics and ability of the coach.

They are not to be underestimated, but they are also not to be feared or to be held in awe of. Ireland must get at them from the start.