Republic of Ireland V Sweden - Friday, 6th September 2013 - World Cup 2014 Qualifier

[Serb]

Doesn't look like the Swedes are missing any key players. The one thing that strikes me about the Ireland squad (and has always been the case really) is the absolute lack of goals in the team (apart from Robbie Keane obviously). Sweden have four players in that squad with 15+ goals. Only six players have ever scored 15+ goals for Ireland. Ever.

[mark12345]

Doesn't look like the Swedes are missing any key players. The one thing that strikes me about the Ireland squad (and has always been the case really) is the absolute lack of goals in the team (apart from Robbie Keane obviously). Sweden have four players in that squad with 15+ goals. Only six players have ever scored 15+ goals for Ireland. Ever.

Too true about the lack of goals in our side. Never realised it was so acute though.

I've got to the point where I'm hoping and praying for the best on September 6 (and 10th) but I won't be too downhearted if we don't make it. I want to see the best teams in Brazil (there are some really fantastic teams - totally underrated - going to be there, like Belgium, Colombia, Chile). The question we need to ask ourselves is do you want a repeat of Euro 2012 or even worse?? If we get there we'll have done something good and grown up as a team in the space of two games and hopefully can kick on from there. My instincts tell me it won't happen, but would be delighted to be proved wrong.

[jbyrne]

I've got to the point where I'm hoping and praying for the best on September 6 (and 10th) but I won't be too downhearted if we don't make it. I want to see the best teams in Brazil (there are some really fantastic teams - totally underrated - going to be there, like Belgium, Colombia, Chile). The question we need to ask ourselves is do you want a repeat of Euro 2012 or even worse?? If we get there we'll have done something good and grown up as a team in the space of two games and hopefully can kick on from there.

if we qualify for the wc it wont be a repeat of the euors if we have a fit squad travelling. we also wont meet 3 teams as good as italy, croatia and spain in the group stages. if we are good enough to qualify through a european group and play offs then we will be good enough to be competitive.

[Charlie Darwin]

Too true about the lack of goals in our side. Never realised it was so acute though.

I've got to the point where I'm hoping and praying for the best on September 6 (and 10th) but I won't be too downhearted if we don't make it. I want to see the best teams in Brazil (there are some really fantastic teams - totally underrated - going to be there, like Belgium, Colombia, Chile). The question we need to ask ourselves is do you want a repeat of Euro 2012 or even worse?? If we get there we'll have done something good and grown up as a team in the space of two games and hopefully can kick on from there. My instincts tell me it won't happen, but would be delighted to be proved wrong.

I want us to qualify and do well. I'm not scared of being embarrassed at a major competition like some Ireland fans seem to be.

[DannyInvincible]

Indeed, nothing embarrassing about qualifying for a major finals.

[geysir]

Still no show from McGeady for Spartak, for yesterday's game.
I suppose he's not vital for us, considering he's more brain than brawn but i'd prefer if he was there, fit and able to play.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Indeed, nothing embarrassing about qualifying for a major finals.

Probably, but easy for most on here to say as they won't be going anywhere near the place...

But it won't be an issue, as with Trap, we're predestined to miss out. Can't believe anyone thinks we'll still make it at this stage.
Not only do we need at least 7 points, or even nine (!), we have to win a play-off v. a better side. No chance, on the basis of current personnel and more annoyingly tactics/team selection.

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't think we'll make it but if we do I won't be ashamed, no matter how we perform. What gets me is the people who are more worried about how we fare against the elite than just having our country represented at the top level and giving our players and fans are unforgettable experience from which they'll undoubtedly benefit. I'm sad that the Euros worked out the way they did, but I'm absolutely delighted that guys like Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger and John O'Shea finally got the opportunity to play at the elite level of international football and I really hope they will again, where they will have improved from their experience. They sweated enough blood for this country that they will have deserved every minute.

[Grafter]

I don't think we'll make it but if we do I won't be ashamed, no matter how we perform. What gets me is the people who are more worried about how we fare against the elite than just having our country represented at the top level and giving our players and fans are unforgettable experience from which they'll undoubtedly benefit. I'm sad that the Euros worked out the way they did, but I'm absolutely delighted that guys like Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger and John O'Shea finally got the opportunity to play at the elite level of international football and I really hope they will again, where they will have improved from their experience. They sweated enough blood for this country that they will have deserved every minute.

Well put Charlie, puts the 50th Anniversary of the "I Have A Dream Speech" this week in the shade

[gastric]

I don't think we'll make it but if we do I won't be ashamed, no matter how we perform. What gets me is the people who are more worried about how we fare against the elite than just having our country represented at the top level and giving our players and fans are unforgettable experience from which they'll undoubtedly benefit. I'm sad that the Euros worked out the way they did, but I'm absolutely delighted that guys like Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger and John O'Shea finally got the opportunity to play at the elite level of international football and I really hope they will again, where they will have improved from their experience. They sweated enough blood for this country that they will have deserved every minute.

Would agree wholeheartedly with you and personally I think for our tiny population we do very well internationally. My biggest criticism would be Trap's conservative, hoof type football (I do agree it is slowly changing) which I feel shows a lack of trust in the players' ability and does nothing to make the sport attractive to the general public.

[Charlie Darwin]

I would agree to an extent about Trap's tactics but I also think the players are culpable. We have seen in numerous games (most notably the Wales game) that the team start off passing the ball and then retreat into their shells once the opposition take initiative.

[Crosby87]

When are the Swedish fans arriving? Danny Invincible is going to have to be tied down.

[gastric]

I would agree to an extent about Trap's tactics but I also think the players are culpable. We have seen in numerous games (most notably the Wales game) that the team start off passing the ball and then retreat into their shells once the opposition take initiative.

Could that be a loss of confidence brought about by a negative, tactical approach that doesn't suit the players?

[Grafter]

Some comic relief methinks....

[NeverFeltBetter]

I would agree to an extent about Trap's tactics but I also think the players are culpable. We have seen in numerous games (most notably the Wales game) that the team start off passing the ball and then retreat into their shells once the opposition take initiative.

I thought we played great in the first 15 minutes against the Germans. Really seemed like we wanted to have a go. Same thing against Sweden and Austria, but it never lasts.

[Supreme feet]

Some of the comments under the RTE story make foot.ie look like an elite university debating society.

Without mentioning names, I think one or two trolls who used to lurk in this parish have found a new home on the RTE site. This place went through a few phases of being monged up by certain unpleasant individuals.

It's relatively tranquil these days - the most inflammatory/one-eyed poster we have now is probably Sean St. Ledger.

[SwanVsDalton]

I know I shouldn't be - it'll only end in tears - but I'm really excited for Friday week's match.

Crunch tie, under the lights, a (hopefully) cracking atmosphere, fingernails bitten to splinters...can't be beat. The eternal optimist in me says we've got to turn somebody over eventually, why not Sweden?! [There's a million reasons why not, I know]

[Crosby87]

Clark needs to mark Zlatan like this:

[DannyInvincible]

When are the Swedish fans arriving? Danny Invincible is going to have to be tied down.

Me?! I thought it was Sully who'll have to be tied down!

(Have you a bigger version of that image?)

[EAFC_rdfl]

Without mentioning names, I think one or two trolls who used to lurk in this parish have found a new home on the RTE site. This place went through a few phases of being monged up by certain unpleasant individuals.

It's relatively tranquil these days - the most inflammatory/one-eyed poster we have now is probably Sean St. Ledger.

A nod to tricky_colour too, he can be hard work at times :-P