Scotland V Republic of Ireland - Friday, 14th November 2014 - Euro 2016 Qualifier

[BonnieShels]

It is an Irish city. There can't be any doubt about that unless you're the most blinkered knuckle dragging unionist. Jurisdictionly speaking that's anither story.

Why would you engage with such a person TOWK?

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm not mocking Paul, I agree with them - there should definitely be a priority placed on facilitating dedicated travelling fans before the rest of us are accommodated. It's only fair, and the FAI have cocked this up royally. Still, it's hard to deny that he has got on well with travelling fans in the past while his reputation at home is dirt.

And no, I've never made a secret of the fact I rarely attend senior internationals.

[ArdeeBhoy]

The rest of us were busy laughing at Delaney. Far as I can see, real fans who travel to games are the only ones who took him seriously up until now.

Er, no. They despise him as much as anyone in the main, though certain people are obliged to take part in his glad-handing form of 'politics', to get some form of coherent dealings with the FAI, eg. to get access to tickets or to deal with other fans' concerns.
Sadly, this has borne more fruit than his abrasive relationship with the LOI, which is largely understandable tbf.
In the case of the latter I mean!

[Charlie Darwin]

Well I'm not even talking about the LOI, his reputation is dirt in general. The only times I've actually seen Delaney received warmly (to understate it) is at away games. Usually when he's dishing out freebies.

[DannyInvincible]

That actually relates very much to the two lads, doesn't it?

Certainly. They identify culturally (or ethnically) as Irish and that identity is further given formal legal recognition by the Irish state, so all's good. That, along with the fact their grandparents were born in Ireland, ensures they satisfy FIFA's eligibility criteria.

The big difference is that a lot of the guff McGeady & McCarthy will have to suffer will be sectarian in nature and wildly vitriolic. I hope there's a UEFA observer there because Scotland could well end up on the wrong end of a ban.

You don't think the reception Bracken received might have been coloured with a hint of anti-Englishness? Would he have had to put up with the same had he been playing for, say, Wales?

Sounds like there's an issue to me, "we had a conversation" "a private conversation", didn't sound like a happy conversation. But O'Neill is true to the adage, imprinted in his dna, 'whatever you say, say nothing'.

Maybe a personal matter? O'Neill seemed very reluctant to go into detail for whatever reason.

It is an Irish city.

Indeed, I can't believe it was even a "discussion". It would be hard for it not to be given Belfast has always been on the island of Ireland. Were they thinking of moving it elsewhere?...

But ya the same real fans at least put a statement together avout tickets and created a cohesive unit in ensuring delaney didn't have his propaganda train rolling into town.

Delaney exploits their unwavering loyalty, but hopefully they can effect some change for the good of regular travelers without having to vote with their feet. I don't get the impression many would resort to a boycott anyway as it would mean having to give up their support of the team, at least temporarily. That's certainly not a criticism, as it's admittedly a difficult situation; giving that support is obviously very precious to them, and more power to them! I would hope Delaney would do the decent thing off his own bat and get a proper allocation scheme in place without taking advantage of the good will.

[geysir]

Don't know if it is just me, but this website is going so slow for me that I can just about post and it is too frustrating to try and read posts. I like this article in the indo as to why we can beat Scotland. For the first time in along time I am not worried about the opposition, but more interested in our own team. Our defensive structures against Germany were excellent, and while Wilson is a big loss, I am sure we can defend with the same discipline that we showed against Germany. We will also see more of the ball which should give McGeady more opportunity to run at their defence which I am so looking forward to watching. While I am not underestimating Scotland's threat, I feel MONROY are bringing a resolve and self belief to the team that means we can confidently go into this game with an expectation of playing for a win. COYBIG!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-30739740.html

Great picture with that article as they run to the corner, also it looks like Walters has a bunch of 4 leaf clover, gripped tight in his left hand.

[paul_oshea]

Well spotted geysir, maybe its his good luck charm and he holds it throughout the game

[SwanVsDalton]

McCarthy and Whelan are out. They've been sent back to their clubs.

[Wangball]

McCarthy & Whelan sent back to their clubs.....leaves us very short in the middle of the park.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/europ...scotland-game/

[TrapAPony]

McCarthy and Whelan are out and gone back to their respective clubs. Leaves us with Gibson, Meyler, Quinn & Hendrick.

[Duggie]

McCarthy and Whelan are out and gone back to their respective clubs. Leaves us with Gibson, Meyler, Quinn & Hendrick.

it has to be gibson and hendrick now. both playing regularly(gibson fairly regularly). Hendrick is in fine for so i really hope he plays now. getting slightly worried now. Defo think we should go 2 up top and go for it.

[paul_oshea]

So that guy on the Scottish forum was right

Im begining to become very sceptical of how injury prone and simple knocks players get now. Why wasnt this happening in the past, I dont think i fully believe medical advances.

No doubt McCarthy will turn out for his club next week. How can he play a thursday and a sunday full 90 and then feel something? Its that just from over-doing it?

[Kingdom]

http://balls.ie/football/changing-gu...-panel-friday/

Now that is a turn-up for the books......

Will Sadlier herald a new era in Irish away performances? Owlsfan will be delighted!

[KK77]

So that guy on the Scottish forum was right

Im begining to become very sceptical of how injury prone and simple knocks players get now. Why wasnt this happening in the past, I dont think i fully believe medical advances.

No doubt McCarthy will turn out for his club next week. How can he play a thursday and a sunday full 90 and then feel something? Its that just from over-doing it?

Once I heard the McCarthy felt his hamstring I had no doubts he would not be playing. I didn't know he actually played the full match last Sunday at Sunderland. I suppose that's why he had to travel over.

[DeLorean]

Good for you. F**k sake, what a mood killer that is. I'd play all three of Gibson, Quinn and Hendrick now I think but there's no way Walters won't be playing. I'd love to know how much that Martinez is paying the FAI doctors.

[KK77]

it has to be gibson and hendrick now. both playing regularly(gibson fairly regularly). Hendrick is in fine for so i really hope he plays now. getting slightly worried now. Defo think we should go 2 up top and go for it.

Yes I think it will be Gibson and Hendrick now.

[Stuttgart88]

To answer Paul's comment, Martin O'Neill said in the Indo that it's not a bad injury and would be no problem if he had another week. So, no need for a conspiracy theory if he doesn't play.

But, I think any of us who have played have played with severe strains and maybe even minor tears. Personally I have never torn a hamstring (I have matchstick legs so don't really have any!) but I have torn ankle ligaments. I reckon a tear is one thing but in the old days international players would play through a strain. These days with players worth so much and with clubs holding power I think an international player just can't risk upsetting his club by playing through a strain.

I think that's all it is.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Stutts has it spot on I reckon.

[Stuttgart88]

Good for you. F**k sake, what a mood killer that is. I'd play all three of Gibson, Quinn and Hendrick now I think but there's no way Walters won't be playing. I'd love to know how much that Martinez is paying the FAI doctors.

Who'd you pick up front?

[DeLorean]

I'd start with Keane. Long and Walters are great sub options, both if we're chasing the game and go 4-4-2.