Estonia V Ireland - Friday, 11th November 2011 - Euro 2012 Play Off 1st Leg

**BonnieShels** · 15/10/2011, 1:11 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

I have a contact who I can ask if someone wants to start a ticket thread...

My advice is to rather waste time moaning on here, embellish yer stories and keep sending to The FAI.
There are bound to be a few returns anyway, though they probably won't appear till the day?
Which isn't much use if you live outside The Pale....

Already done.

I'm gonna still moan here if that's okay? :P

**lenc** · 15/10/2011, 6:14 AM

Originally Posted by French Toasht

Em ... you sure that was the case against against the Faroes? Brian Kerr said the Faroe keeper had one save to make in the second half and that it was a comfortable enough victory.

Well Brian Kerr can say whatever he wants but if you take a look at the actual highlights of the match you might get a better idea of what was going on:

**Yard of Pace** · 15/10/2011, 11:04 AM

Lads, anyone know how George Hamilton is doing? Any chance he'd be back for the play-offs? Darragh is great, but George is, well, George.

**paul_oshea** · 15/10/2011, 5:48 PM

For anyone who hasn't seen this already, I thought I'd share this with you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNmHhvAcJWk

For the immature teenager in all of us

**MeathDrog** · 15/10/2011, 8:05 PM

Originally Posted by lenc

Well Brian Kerr can say whatever he wants but if you take a look at the actual highlights of the match you might get a better idea of what was going on:

Well I would take heart from the shocking defending giving away the 2nd peno..

**French Toasht** · 15/10/2011, 9:18 PM

Originally Posted by lenc

Well Brian Kerr can say whatever he wants but if you take a look at the actual highlights of the match you might get a better idea of what was going on:

That video demonstates exactly my point, that the Estonian's barely had chance of note in the second half.

**Dvo-Van** · 16/10/2011, 2:50 AM

Without Gonsales it's not going to be easy against mighty Estonia

**lenc** · 16/10/2011, 7:48 AM

Originally Posted by French Toasht

That video demonstates exactly my point, that the Estonian's barely had chance of note in the second half.

No, you disputed the fact that Estonians had any good chances during the entire match and this video demonstrates that they actually did have several.

**French Toasht** · 16/10/2011, 1:21 PM

Originally Posted by lenc

No, you disputed the fact that Estonians had any good chances during the entire match and this video demonstrates that they actually did have several.

Oh really?

Originally Posted by French Toasht

Em ... you sure that was the case against against the Faroes? Brian Kerr said the Faroe keeper had one save to make in the second half and that it was a comfortable enough victory. Also there may be the destiny factor, but if you are a good enough team you will ensure that doesn't involve you.

**Noelys Guitar** · 16/10/2011, 1:42 PM

Estonie v Faroes the 2-1 game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_IGCa0Q-0w

**French Toasht** · 16/10/2011, 1:55 PM

A comprehensive low down on the players and tactics of Estonia:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...305837758.html

**AlaskaFox** · 16/10/2011, 2:55 PM

Originally Posted by French Toasht

A comprehensive low down on the players and tactics of Estonia:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...305837758.html

You missed the most important part:
writes BRIAN KERR

**lenc** · 16/10/2011, 2:57 PM

Originally Posted by French Toasht

Oh really?

Look at the post you made that reply to. The guy who posted said that the Estonians missed some great chances before the Faroes got the penalty. And you questioned that.

**Sullivinho** · 16/10/2011, 7:49 PM

Ireland need to get tight and put them under pressure. If they get physical and stop Estonia having time on the ball, Ireland can progress, writes BRIAN KERR.

The ravings of a lunatic. It's universally known that the Estonian's true vunerability is the freedom to do what they want, at a pace and manner of their own choosing.

Interesting piece actually. Bit of an education for someone like me who half expecting Andres Oper and Mart Poom to still be doing star turns for them. You've gotta be encouraged by stuff like "We dominated that last half hour" coming from the Faroes manager in relation to our playoff opponents.

**lionelhutz** · 16/10/2011, 9:42 PM

Just watching MOTD 2 now. Dixon gave an analysis on Long's performance today - he looked top class. Any long punt or clearance he was on the end of it - he has some pace. And he constantly ran at their defence and caused havoc - Johnson was lucky to stay on the field after one challenge.

On his current form, I think it would be a travesty if he didn't start the play-off. No doubt I'd have Walters and Long starting. I think Trap will go with Cox and Long though.

**Wolfie** · 17/10/2011, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

Just watching MOTD 2 now. Dixon gave an analysis on Long's performance today - he looked top class. Any long punt or clearance he was on the end of it - he has some pace. And he constantly ran at their defence and caused havoc - Johnson was lucky to stay on the field after one challenge.

On his current form, I think it would be a travesty if he didn't start the play-off. No doubt I'd have Walters and Long starting. I think Trap will go with Cox and Long though.

Yes - Long was excellent. Completely agree that Long and Walters work very well for us up front together.

**amaccann** · 17/10/2011, 8:37 PM

Maybe it has been mentioned already in this thread & I simply missed it (sorry!), but has anyone garnered reactions from the Estonians' fans and press? I'm wondering how they're viewing the game: whether it's with cautious optimism, trepidation or what. I think it's fair to say we're all quietly confident Ireland can push past the "minnows" of the playoffs, I'm wondering what our opponents are thinking ...

**paul_oshea** · 17/10/2011, 8:42 PM

I really hope the players don't get complacent, at least they are over there so probably don't hear any of it.

**French Toasht** · 17/10/2011, 9:35 PM

Have been doing my research on the "Two Estonians to Watch", Tarmo Kink and Konstantin Vassiljev. Appears the two of them have got barely any game time this year.

Tarmo Kink has not played a single minute of football for Middlesbrough in any competition this season, despite the fact that he is uninjured.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/shared/...ink_244555.stm

And Konstantin Vassiljev, has played just 44 minutes for Amkar Perm in the last 14 months.

Originally Posted by Uefa.com

Those skills will come in useful ahead of the play-off and, but for Vassiljev, the hope that his successes in Europe will finally earn him a regular place in the Amkar first XI. In September, he finally made his debut for the club he joined from FC Koper in August 2010, and was taken off injured after 44 minutes. He has not played for the Russian side since.

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro2012/new...d=1696559.html

It's good to know that their two most talented players won't be all that match sharp for the game, which probably explains why Vassiljev only came on after 65 minutes against Northern Ireland in Belfast. (That said he still score 2 goals in the 25 minutes he was on the pitch.)

**geysir** · 17/10/2011, 9:46 PM

The remaining tickets tickets for the first leg that went on sale this morning, were sold out in 25 minutes

Originally Posted by amaccann

Maybe it has been mentioned already in this thread & I simply missed it (sorry!), but has anyone garnered reactions from the Estonians' fans and press? I'm wondering how they're viewing the game: whether it's with cautious optimism, trepidation or what. I think it's fair to say we're all quietly confident Ireland can push past the "minnows" of the playoffs, I'm wondering what our opponents are thinking ...

They probably think we are in the way

Estonians can use the internet and understand English. JD laughing? a picture is probably already being framed and hung on the dressing room door. They know Brian Kerr thinks Estonia won't pose too many problems, they know Keane is virtually out, they know Trap is cautious, they know we play the British style of football.
There are no secrets.