Halfway

**paul_oshea** · 28/03/2011, 1:54 PM

I worry that you have slovakia drawing with macedonia who will probably be out of it at that stage. You also have us drawing with slovakia home which worrys me, as I can see slovakia drawing at home with russia and beating macedonia away when macedonia have nothing to play for, giving them 21 points.

**Metrostars** · 28/03/2011, 3:29 PM

We'll top the group after Andorra will get a goal in the last minute against Russia to draw 1-1 ala Gary MacKay

**tetsujin1979** · 28/03/2011, 3:30 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

I'd hate a three team on 21 points scenario and us losing out, with Slovakia drawing with us and Russia.

It's time one of Tets' xcel charts.

Too many games left to make anything even remotely readable, ask me again after the Macedonia away game

**SkStu** · 28/03/2011, 3:35 PM

the key game is Macedonia. If we cant beat them away then we are nailed on to drop points in Moscow. It is too tight a group to throw away too many points and get away with it.

Playoff for us at best.

**SkStu** · 28/03/2011, 3:37 PM

just to clarify, a win in Macedonia could see us kick on and put a good challenge in for first. I just dont see that win though.

**tetsujin1979** · 28/03/2011, 3:48 PM

I think we're going to need a minimum of 4 points from the away games against Macedonia and Russia

**Stuttgart88** · 28/03/2011, 3:57 PM

To win the group, yes.

3 or even 2 might still be enough for second, but I don't want to be thinking along those lines just yet.

**SuperDave** · 28/03/2011, 4:02 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

I think we'll win in Macedonia. They were lucky to get a point against Armenia at home. The way we set up makes it easier to play away from home. Probably have to score two goals again to win but we look capable of doing that against this Macedonia team. Good chance Doyle will be back. We will miss Dunne but O'Shea and St ledger should be back. McCarthy might have played his way into a starting spot by then. I'd be reasonably optimistic we can get the three points.

Lets not kid ourselves; if we had reversed the keepers on Saturday, on the basis of the chances created, we wouldn't have scored and they would have. I think their first choice keeper should be back, too.

That said, I think we deserved to win on Saturday.

**Duggie** · 28/03/2011, 4:02 PM

we have to beat macedonia away to keep in the hunt IMO.

**SuperDave** · 28/03/2011, 4:03 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

With 5 games to go I'd predict.

(6) Russia > Armenia, Slovakia > Andorra, Ireland > FYROM (russia, slovakia, Ireland 13. Armenia 8)
(7) Ireland = Slovakia, Armenia > Andorra, Russia > FYROM (Russia 16, Ireland/Slovakia 14, Armenia 11)
(8) Russia > Ireland, Slovakia = Armenia, FYROM > Andorra (Russia 19, Slovakia 15 , Ireland 14, Armenia 12)
(9) Armenia > FYROM, Ireland > Andorra, Slovakia = Russia (Russia 20, Ireland 17, Slovakia 16, Armenia 15)
(10) Ireland > Armenia, Russia > Andorra FYROM = Slovakia

Final Table

Russia 23
Ireland 20
Slovakia 17
Armenia 15

Change two things: Slovakia to beat Russia, and Slovakia to beat FYROM.... Suddenly:

Russia 22
Slovakia 21
Ireland 20

We need two or three points from the games against Slovakia and Russia, especially if we don't win in Macedonia. Slovakia and Russia will both win next time out; you're right on that.

**SuperDave** · 28/03/2011, 4:07 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

Just looked at the overall standings -

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro2012/standings/index.html

We're right in the mix for that automatic second-place spot and we should be confident of challanging for it right to the end, if not actually winning the group. Another 10-12 points from the remaining five games is not a massive challange and would be see us right on course.

In effect, I think we need to start hoping that Montenegro start dropping points and trailing off because if they were to top their group then there's a likelihood that England would take the best second place.

Also, Group F is definately one to keep an eye on. Croatia (one point behind Greece who have 11) have mainly home games left against relatively easy opposition. Their game v Greece in Athens in October will be of Irish interest if the groups continue in similar fashion.

Of course, this is purely speculation until the campaign progresses further.

Also, you must remember it is only results against 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th that count in determining who is the best second placed team.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Eu...d-placed_teams

**Metrostars** · 28/03/2011, 5:25 PM

I think we should do better in Macedonia. We will have a few more players back from injury e.g. O'Shea, Given and a few more hopefully back to full fitness unlike Saturday e.g. Keane, Dunne. I think with a full, fit squad, we ill have a great chance to grab 3 there.

**MeathDrog** · 28/03/2011, 5:56 PM

Why should Given get his place back off Westwood?

**Charlie Darwin** · 28/03/2011, 6:57 PM

Originally Posted by zero

at the halfway stage, what do you feel our chances of qualifying are now?

i would put them at about 50%. maybe a little more. i don't see us topping the group, but there's a chance we could finish as best 2nd place team (and so qualify automatically) and a strong likelihood that if we're in a playoff we'll be one of the seeded teams.

four of russians remaining five games are at home, so you'd have to favour them to win the group. the slovaks look to have the toughest run in of the current top 3.

Well if we're 50% of the way through the campaign and our chances of qualifying are also 50%, then it stands to reason that by the end of the campaign it'll be up to 100%. QED

**mypost** · 28/03/2011, 7:32 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I don't fancy us in any of the remaining games! We make such a hash of putting teams away that I find it hard to see us suddenly getting more clinical.

Times must be tough, if people don't fancy us to beat Andorra, in Andorra/Barcelona/Zaragoza or wherever they send us to.

Originally Posted by Murfinator

With 5 games to go I'd predict.

Final Table

Russia 23
Ireland 20
Slovakia 17
Armenia 15

Armenia have to visit all the teams above them. They're not going to be contenders.

A draw in Macedonia isn't necessarily a bad result. Our crunch games are in September, and will decide where we finish. We can go to Moscow, park the Irish Pub on our 18-yard line, and see if the Russians can smash the door down.

We have the easier run-in in October compared to the other two. After winning those games, we'll see how the others get on.

**Stuttgart88** · 28/03/2011, 8:08 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

Times must be tough, if people don't fancy us to beat Andorra, in Andorra/Barcelona/Zaragoza or wherever they send us to.

OK, Mr. Pedant. I thought the point was clear enough. I don't fancy us to beat the four other teams. We're masters at turning a victory into a draw.

I actually fancy us to score in those games, probably even take the lead, but I wouldn't bet on winning any!

Originally Posted by MeathDrog

Why should Given get his place back off Westwood?

No reason. Westwood has every chance of holding onto the jersey. If Westwood continues to assure, Given should only come back into it once he's playing regularly.

Just as an aside: that was a great catch that WW took when Dunne nearly got in his way. Really good concentration.

**stojkovic** · 28/03/2011, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Metrostars

I think we should do better in Macedonia. We will have a few more players back from injury e.g. O'Shea, Given and a few more hopefully back to full fitness unlike Saturday e.g. Keane, Dunne. I think with a full, fit squad, we ill have a great chance to grab 3 there.

Is Dunne not suspended ?