England V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 29th May 2013 - Friendly

**DeLorean** · 28/05/2013, 8:52 AM

Can't wait!

**pineapple stu** · 28/05/2013, 8:56 AM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

I'll argue with you Tomorrow when I'm sober. But again I'm not convinced that the people I'm arguing with are genuine sorts. Convince me you have not profited from the Irish economic collapse. Then we will have a chat. Maybe even about England being 3rd in the world.

Just wanted to quote this for posterity in case it gets deleted in a more sober moment tomorrow.

Anyways, I'm off to Wembley, so you can disclose your ranking without fear of me seeing it.

**Stuttgart88** · 28/05/2013, 9:22 AM

It looks like Wilson is out, but Whelan will be fit.

Who will play left-back? O'Shea can play there, and McShane played there a lot at Hull last year. Stephen Kelly can play there too, and I'm not sure if Ward is in the squad - too lazy to check. I'm assuming he is. Darren O'Dea is also a candidate. Walcott could have a field day, having carte blanche to shoot in aimless balls all evening.

**jbyrne** · 28/05/2013, 9:46 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It looks like Wilson is out, but Whelan will be fit.

Who will play left-back? O'Shea can play there, and McShane played there a lot at Hull last year. Stephen Kelly can play there too, and I'm not sure if Ward is in the squad - too lazy to check. I'm assuming he is. Darren O'Dea is also a candidate. Walcott could have a field day, having carte blanche to shoot in aimless balls all evening.

i dont think ward is in the squad. id say, and hope, it will be kelly if wilson doesnt make it

**MeathDrog** · 28/05/2013, 9:57 AM

1-1 I'd say.

**paul_oshea** · 28/05/2013, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

The group that attacked the Black Lion pub on Kilburn High Road pre the 91 game all associated with Birmingham City. A couple of hundred of them came out of the Bakerloo line station just off the high road and attacked a couple of pubs but the main attack was on the Black Lion. They got cornered up at the other end of Kilburn High Road (Waterloo line station?) mostly by old Irish day labourers and London/Irish heavies. Very few Irish football fans on the High Road that day.

Go on tell us more, did they get a good bayytin then?

**peadar1987** · 28/05/2013, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Bungle

Am I the only one who likes England to do well, up until about the quarter finals?!! I'm trying to figure out if it's my cruel desire to see them lose dramatically on penalties or my desire for them to do reasonably well as a form of guilt for the fact that most English are sound and actually want us to do well

Perhaps? I've nothing much against the English as a people, but as a sporting nation... Their rugby team especially seems to be an awful pack of scrotes!

It's not just Irish people though, my Dad, born and raised in England, to English parents, still wants English teams to lose just as much as I do. Except the cricket team, he likes them!

**DeLorean** · 28/05/2013, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It looks like Wilson is out, but Whelan will be fit.

You wording suggests that the latter is good news.

**Stuttgart88** · 28/05/2013, 10:23 AM

Not necessarily - it was neutral in its intent. More for info. Having said that, I think Trap might be less prepared to give Hoolahan an outing if Whelan wasn't there to do what Trap seems to appreciate.

**paul_oshea** · 28/05/2013, 10:38 AM

Which is what stutts exactly? Walk around in a circle in a 10 metre radius halfway between the edge of the centre circle and the 18 yard line, passing the ball backwards?

I actually see what Noely is getting at to be honest. I'm sure as much as anything else, FIFA needs them in the top 10!

**Paddy Garcia** · 28/05/2013, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It looks like Wilson is out, but Whelan will be fit.

Who will play left-back? O'Shea can play there, and McShane played there a lot at Hull last year.

I don't think McShane can play left-back. Or anywhere across the back line.

**Stuttgart88** · 28/05/2013, 10:56 AM

I think that's what Trap appreciates. I was careful not to say it's what I appreciate!

I think England have been more or less top ten, although more vulnerable than most of the big countries to being ambushed by a temporarily strong team from Europe, and quite reliable in being unable to get past a good team in the knockout rounds.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 28/05/2013, 11:06 AM

The latest rumour on YBIG is the FA were having a moment's silence for that squaddie who was murdered last week. Can't see that ending well...or helping the general atmosphere if true.

**paul_oshea** · 28/05/2013, 11:11 AM

Is anyone still annoyed at the Austria result? I feel if we draw or beat england i will be even more angry at that result.

**Stuttgart88** · 28/05/2013, 11:17 AM

I'll always be annoyed by Austria. I reckon we'll go behind early to England and they'll all start laughing and get complacent before we take charge of the game in the second half and come away with yet another famous draw.

**peadar1987** · 28/05/2013, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

The latest rumour on YBIG is the FA were having a moment's silence for that squaddie who was murdered last week. Can't see that ending well...or helping the general atmosphere if true.

Minutes' silence are very rarely observed any more at football matches, it's more likely to be a minute's applause, in which case people who disagree, or don't want to support it can do so by staying quiet and not disturbing people who do. Much better in my opinion.

**DeLorean** · 28/05/2013, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I think England have been more or less top ten, although more vulnerable than most of the big countries to being ambushed by a temporarily strong team from Europe, and quite reliable in being unable to get past a good team in the knockout rounds.

The only half arsed argument I could think of to exclude them from the top 10 would be:

They have only gone beyond the quarter finals of the European Championship once. Therefore they have only been in the top 8 in Europe generally over the last 20 years. Arguments could be made for Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Greece, Portugal and the Czechs all ranking higher (although possibly not on a consistent basis over the 20 years). Just say this leaves England ranking as No.8 of the Europeans. Now throw Brazil and Argentina into the mix and they might possibly drop to 11th.

I'd find it very difficult to justify ranking Greece and the Czechs higher over the period though really and possibly Argentina as well.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 28/05/2013, 11:20 AM

Yeah, totally agreed Peadar.

**DeLorean** · 28/05/2013, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Is anyone still annoyed at the Austria result?

If anybody answers 'No' to this question you'd have to seriously question their commitment.

The only thing that could lessen the annoyance of that result would be to qualify, that still wouldn't eliminate it completely mind you!

**BonnieShels** · 28/05/2013, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by RTE

English fans receive letter from Roy Hodgson today
Every England fan who has a ticket to the game against Republic of Ireland will today receive a letter from Roy Hodgson asking them to refrain from offensive chanting of a religious or political nature.

The last time England and Ireland met 18 years ago, the game had to be abandoned after 27 minutes due to rioting by England fans at Lansdowne Road.

The history between the two countries means there is potential for trouble and for offensive chanting such as the 'no surrender (to the IRA) song to take place, but the FA wants neither to occur tomorrow night.

It is therefore sending an emailed letter to every England fan who has a ticket to the match, requesting they do not chant songs which might cause offence.

The FAI are understood to support the FA's stance, but it is not expected to issue a similar statement to the 12,000 away fans expected at Wembley.

In the letter England manager Hodgson says: "Ahead of the Ireland fixture, on behalf of The FA, I would like to ask our supporters to please respect our opponents and welcome them in the right way.

"Wembley is considered the world over as the home of football and we ask those attending to not take part in any chanting - particularly of a religious or political perspective - which could cause offence to our visitors or fellow fans."

Hodgson will also ask England fans to refrain from such chants in his programme notes for the match, which is close to a 90,000 sell-out.

Another reason the FA took the action is because it received a letter from FIFA following England's friendly win in San Marino two months ago asking it to remind fans not to engage in offensive chanting.

It was reported at the time that England fans sang a song which suggested Rio and Anton Ferdinand should be burned on a bonfire.

It has been suggested the song that was reported to be heard had racist overtones because Anton Ferdinand was the target of racist abuse from former England captain John Terry. FIFA has since decided to take no action.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/inter...letters-today/