Kerr's winning mentality?

[eirebhoy]

I'm getting a bit worried listening to the players. Andy Reid said they all felt really down after conceding the late goal and they won't let it happen again. The way the players felt after the game I have absolutely no doubt that if we are 1-0 up after 80-85 minutes psychology will take its toll, memories will come flooding back and the players will sit back terribly far with the main priority not to concede.

Lets hope we get 2 early enough so.

[mypost]

We are the best team in the group, and if Brian Kerr went into games with a winning mentality, instead of talking round in circles, Israel would be beaten before they went on the Lansdowne pitch.

Instead, Kerr-speak is typical FAI style, i.e. fudged, while talking up the opposition ("we don't have to win the two games", "Israel, Cyprus, and the Faroes are good sides", etc, etc,).

Away from the mumbo-jumbo, those three sides are in reality, very poor teams. The Faroes are dire, Israel were rubbish against us in Tel-Aviv, and the less said about Cyprus, the better. We must win these two games, as we have dropped enough points already. We are the best team in the group, with the best squad, have a settled side, have the best fixture list, and are in the best position to qualify from the group, so let's show the other teams in the group why, in these two games.

[Plastic Paddy]

We are the best team in the group... We are the best team in the group, with the best squad, have a settled side, have the best fixture list

umm... ever heard of France? Even with my greenest of green-tinted specs on, I would never claim that our team is better than that of the French. Still, we're second-best in the group (on paper) but yet may prove to be the strongest (on grass). Here's hoping...

PP

[blobbyblob]

Have to give Kerr some Kudos. Hes no fool. You cant read into his comments and say that its exactly whats on his mind. He speaks his mind when required and keeps his cards close to his chest if thats whats needed.

He doesn't have to broadcast his intentions to the world. Why would he. I think we'd all be a little suprised if he came out with something like -

"We were rubbish in Tel Aviv, Basle and ok in Paris . I don't know how we are so far up the world rankings. The Swiss, French and Israelis are right up our holes and if we slip up now we are screwed. Im going all out for 15 points from our remaining games and if we dont get them we'll be booking our place in the united nations cup in Upton Park 2006 "

No need to be alarmist. We're in good hands. Im sure the others in the group will take his comments with a pinch of salt. Come Saturday Kerr will be looking for a decent win and a strong performance to gee up the crowd for the remaining fixtures on our way to Germany. Saying that, the crowd will have to be the 12th man because Israel are going to be no psuh overs.

[eirebhoy]

Instead, Kerr-speak is typical FAI style, i.e. fudged, while talking up the opposition ("we don't have to win the two games", "Israel, Cyprus, and the Faroes are good sides", etc, etc,).

Kerr was asked a question, "Is it vital that we win these two games if we are going to qualify for the World Cup". There's only one answer to that question and it is no. How people are reading so much into this is beyond me.

Israel were rubbish against us in Tel-Aviv

...and we were rubbish against Switzerland. You should get Setanta, watch Israel's games against other teams and you then make a judgement on them.

[NeilMcD]

I'm getting a bit worried listening to the players. Andy Reid said they all felt really down after conceding the late goal and they won't let it happen again. The way the players felt after the game I have absolutely no doubt that if we are 1-0 up after 80-85 minutes psychology will take its toll, memories will come flooding back and the players will sit back terribly far with the main priority not to concede.

Lets hope we get 2 early enough so.

I would be annnoyed if the players were not ****ed off after the match. I think its healthy that they are ****ed off about dropping 2 points. and I dont think the crowd in LR would let them sit on a 1 nil win

[eirebhoy]

I would be annnoyed if the players were not ****ed off after the match. I think its healthy that they are ****ed off about dropping 2 points. and I dont think the crowd in LR would let them sit on a 1 nil win

But will we have the ability to have a 2 goal margin come about 75 minutes? We rarely win by more than a goal.

[NeilMcD]

I think we will go into the last ten mins 1 goal up, that would be my belief at the moment. I think we will hold out for a 1 nil lead. I think the Andy Reids comment make me more confident that it wont happen again as he sounds so ****ed off about it. If he was blase and put it down as a once off I would be more worried. I am fairly confident that we will win on saturday either one or 2 nil. If we do get a second I think it will come in the last 10 mins.

[eirebhoy]

I think we will go into the last ten mins 1 goal up, that would be my belief at the moment. I think we will hold out for a 1 nil lead. I think the Andy Reids comment make me more confident that it wont happen again as he sounds so ****ed off about it. If he was blase and put it down as a once off I would be more worried. I am fairly confident that we will win on saturday either one or 2 nil. If we do get a second I think it will come in the last 10 mins.

I'm pretty sure if we go into the last 10 minutes 1 goal up the players will be sitting back more by the second. It won't be conscious/planned but the first priority (and much more so after Israel's late goals in recent games) will be not to concede (while Israel have nothing to lose). No matter what anyone says or does before the game won't change it now imo and we'll just have to hope for the best.

[NeilMcD]

I agree but why did you say you were worried about Reids comments.

[thejollyrodger]

I think the Andy Reids comment make me more confident that it wont happen again as he sounds so ****ed off about it

Andy Reid is always píssed off so I wouldnt read too much into that

Still its up to the crowd to be patient for the first goal to Ireland and then shout for the 2nd and 3rd.

A draw at home to these muppets would be a real let down IMO

[mypost]

umm... ever heard of France? Even with my greenest of green-tinted specs on, I would never claim that our team is better than that of the French. Still, we're second-best in the group (on paper) but yet may prove to be the strongest (on grass). Here's hoping...

France have gone into freefall, since the European Championships. Players retiring like flies, key players suspended for key games, disharmony in the camp, failing to win their home games so far, outplayed by the Irish at home, France were the crowd who dismissed the group as an oversight before the campaign got underway. France just can't cut it at the top level anymore.

And Israel were rubbish against us in Tel Aviv, we should have hit them for 3 or 4-0 after the early goal, but the players listened to Kerr's scare stories, when he described Israel as a "good" side, sat on the lead, and allowed them to come at us, and equalize in the last minute. It was the same Kerr-speak for the home game against Cyprus. The "they shouldn't be under-estimated, good side, hard to beat", crap.

The truth is, Cyprus are a bunch of part-timers who didn't care when they came to Dublin, and were 2 down by half-time. It finished 3-0, but it should have been more. If we do to Israel, what we did to Cyprus, they should be out-of-sight by half-time too. Dublin is a fortress for us. This Ireland team is settled, good, and hungry for success. If we play to our potential this week, Israel, and the Faroes will find out why we are the best side in the group, which will set up the games against our real qualifying contenders in the Autumn, nicely.

[eirebhoy]

And Israel were rubbish against us in Tel Aviv, we should have hit them for 3 or 4-0 after the early goal, but the players listened to Kerr's scare stories, when he described Israel as a "good" side,

Do you expect Kerr to lie? You're starting to get on my nerves now tbh. Go watch Israel before making a judgement based on the way they set out against us. If Switzerland did that we would be a bloody terrible team in their eyes.

While Cyprus are a crap team, they're not a bunch of part timers. Half them play in the Greek league which is up there with the Dutch and Portuguese in the rankings. Their main striker Konstaninou cost Panathanaikos over €11m.

I agree with Stuttgart. I would dread having to talk to the media if I was Brian Kerr. He is doing the right thing though. A lot of people are ignorant when it comes to names like Cyprus and Israel and he is telling people that they are a lot better than people think. When people try to play down teams managers tend to build them up a bit more than they actually should be. The thing is though, Kerr's comments are much more precise than yours. He's not telling the media a buch of lies fss. No manager will tell their players that the opposition is woeful. Did you see the planning Mourinho did for the Scúnthorpe game?

[mypost]

Do you expect Kerr to lie? Go watch Israel before making a judgement based on the way they set out against us.

A lot of people are ignorant when it comes to names like Cyprus and Israel and he is telling people that they are a lot better than people think. When people try to play down teams managers tend to build them up a bit more than they actually should be. He's not telling the media a buch of lies fss. No manager will tell their players that the opposition is woeful.

Yes, I do expect Kerr to lie. He does it all the time, whenever we are favourites for a game. We are favourites because we have a good team, with a good record, who get good results, and if we play to our potential, we will win, because we are a better side than Israel, end of story. The Israel coach, and squad admit that themselves.

Yes, I have watched Israel in the group. I saw both of their games against France, and even a poor French team should have beaten them both times. France were in control in Tel Aviv until Trezeguet got sent off, and invited Israel to come at them, then handed them an equalizer. We took the lead early in Israel, and it should have provided a platform to go on and knock a few more in. Israel looked clueless, rarely threatened our goal, gave the ball away needlessly, and were lucky to play against a team who over-estimated them.

When asked if France will beat the Faroes in Paris later this year, I wonder will Kerr waffle on about the Faroes being a good side, who will be hard to break down. No, he will expect France to destroy them, which they will. Any other prediction is merely fantasy. In this country, we talk up too many opponents, and create false fears when playing against them. Then when we don't get a good result, we say it was because they were a good side. However, in most cases, it was our fear of the opposition that prevented us from getting the desired result. We have played better teams than Israel at home before, and beaten them. On Saturday, we have two choices: Either settle for a narrow victory, or show people what we're capable of. If we choose the latter, we'll win with a bit to spare, boost the goal difference, and keep everyone happy.

[Littlest Hobo]

Yes, I do expect Kerr to lie. He does it all the time, whenever we are favourites for a game. We are favourites because we have a good team, with a good record, who get good results, and if we play to our potential, we will win, because we are a better side than Israel, end of story. The Israel coach, and squad admit that themselves.

Yes, I have watched Israel in the group. I saw both of their games against France, and even a poor French team should have beaten them both times. France were in control in Tel Aviv until Trezeguet got sent off, and invited Israel to come at them, then handed them an equalizer. We took the lead early in Israel, and it should have provided a platform to go on and knock a few more in. Israel looked clueless, rarely threatened our goal, gave the ball away needlessly, and were lucky to play against a team who over-estimated them.

When asked if France will beat the Faroes in Paris later this year, I wonder will Kerr waffle on about the Faroes being a good side, who will be hard to break down. No, he will expect France to destroy them, which they will. Any other prediction is merely fantasy. In this country, we talk up too many opponents, and create false fears when playing against them. Then when we don't get a good result, we say it was because they were a good side. However, in most cases, it was our fear of the opposition that prevented us from getting the desired result. We have played better teams than Israel at home before, and beaten them. On Saturday, we have two choices: Either settle for a narrow victory, or show people what we're capable of. If we choose the latter, we'll win with a bit to spare, boost the goal difference, and keep everyone happy.

Spot on. Thinking about it, when England play teams like Israel at home, they always expect to win. And they almost always do. The media and public wouldn't expect anything else.

Its only against teams like Argentina/Brazil/Italy that England convey any sense of fear or cautiousness.

We on the other hand, **** ourselves when the likes of albania and georgia come to town. And are pretty cool against Holland/portugal.

[eirebhoy]

Yes, I do expect Kerr to lie. He does it all the time, whenever we are favourites for a game. We are favourites because we have a good team, with a good record, who get good results, and if we play to our potential, we will win, because we are a better side than Israel, end of story. The Israel coach, and squad admit that themselves.

Nothing there suggests to me that Kerr is lying. Just because we should beat them doesn't mean its a must win game. Let me ask you this. You are the manager of Ireland and someone from the media comes up and asks "Is it absolutely vital that we win this game if we are going to win the group?". You'd say yes? Thats a lot of pressure to be putting on your players shoulders and no matter how good the team is no top international manager would say yes to that question.

Yes, I have watched Israel in the group. I saw both of their games against France, and even a poor French team should have beaten them both times. France were in control in Tel Aviv until Trezeguet got sent off, and invited Israel to come at them, then handed them an equalizer.

The opening 15 minutes I couldn't believe how good Israel were. They absolutely dominated possession and did something we couldn't do, they were breaking down the opposition with ever set of passes. OK, from then on it was mostly the France of old, slick passing, etc. but I was really impressed with Israel.

We overestimated them? I am pretty sure they overestimated us too. Their game plan fell apart when we just kept the ball as they had planned to get the ball on the break and attack.

Anyway, the best performance I've seen from them was against Switzerland. They were playing better than we have in any match in this group. They can just break down teams so easily with really fast passing.

All I am doing here is telling the truth about Israel. I expect us to beat them and I will be betting large amounts of money on it.

And I certainly hope we don't ever get like the English. The complacency is unreal. Sven and every single English person thinks they've qualified for the WC already. If Poland can snatch a draw off them and Wales can get something off them in the Millenium Stadium, Poland will go above them. Lets give teams the respect they deserve and that is all I'm giving Israel. If people think I'm playing them up then they really aught to see them play at their best. I'm hardly talking like this about the Faroes or Cyprus.

I'd say Israel are on par with Switzerland. The difference is though, the Irish public know what the Swiss are like. Actually, most of them think they played crap at Euro 2004 so maybe I'm wrong there. But at least there won't be serious 4-0 predictions when Switzerland come over.

[mypost]

Nothing there suggests to me that Kerr is lying. Just because we should beat them doesn't mean its a must win game. Let me ask you this. You are the manager of Ireland and someone from the media comes up and asks "Is it absolutely vital that we win this game if we are going to win the group?". You'd say yes? Thats a lot of pressure to be putting on your players shoulders and no matter how good the team is no top international manager would say yes to that question.

If you were telling the truth, you'd admit yes. It is vital that we win this game to finish top of the group, and take advantage of the position that we find ourselves in, in the group. If we win this game, and win the game during the week, we will be in a favourable position to qualify, and have our destiny in our own hands. The players are professionals who constantly have to deliver under pressure. That's what they're paid to do. They know that they are the better side, and if they believe they will win, then 9 times out of 10 they will win. Saying that it's not a must-win game, puts doubts in the players heads, as they think, "well we don't have to win, so we'll go through the motions out there". That's not acceptable. They should be told to go out and play normally, and win the game. It's about time someone did win in this group.

The opening 15 minutes I couldn't believe how good Israel were. All I am doing here is telling the truth about Israel. I expect us to beat them.

Any side can play well for 15 minutes. If you do it for 90 minutes on a consistent basis, and are successful, then you can be called a good side. Israel are indeed a half-decent team, but they're not Holland, France, Brazil, or Germany, and we should be able to defeat them at home, in front of our own crowd, in our own conditions.

And I certainly hope we don't ever get like the English. The complacency is unreal. Sven and every single English person thinks they've qualified for the WC already. Lets give teams the respect they deserve and that is all I'm giving Israel.

It's about time we took some lessons from the English. I admit they do go overboard with their expectations when they play in tournaments, but would their squad, media, and public mock up unfounded fears about the opposition in individual games? They wouldn't accept it, and neither should we. Unfortunately, we give too many teams, too much respect, too often. Yes, well-organised teams are hard to break down, and are difficult to beat. But we are the 15th best team in the world, so we should be able to break these teams down. We had to do it, to climb that high in the rankings. This is the World Cup. If we can't break the likes of Israel down, what hope have we got against better teams, when they come out to play some football? Yes, we should respect teams, but not be scared of facing them, especially at home.

Everyone believes England have qualified already, because they have. England are the best side in their very weak group, and will always get the results they need to qualify. They only needed a draw in their last game to qualify for the last 2 World Cups, and last European Championship, and sure enough they got them. If our boss adopted the same approach, instead of scaring his squad and his public, by telling everyone how wonderful the opposition are, we might get the same results as England. We are certainly more than capable of achieving them.

[eirebhoy]

but would their squad, media, and public mock up unfounded fears about the opposition in individual games?

The match is in a few hours so I'm not going to continue this debate. I'll just say, I am not bringing up "unfounded fear". I am given a good team the respect they deserve.

And England have not qualified. As long as they keep the Gerrard-Lamard partnership anything can happen.

[Condex]

Kerr was asked a question, "Is it vital that we win these two games if we are going to qualify for the World Cup". There's only one answer to that question and it is no. How people are reading so much into this is beyond me.

What are you talking about, saying it is not vital that we win the next two games. As a matter of life or death it is not vital but as for the factor which decides if our team progress's to the world cup finals it is vital.

[eirebhoy]

What are you talking about, saying it is not vital that we win the next two games. As a matter of life or death it is not vital but as for the factor which decides if our team progress's to the world cup finals it is vital.

No its not. The following results would win us the group:

Israel - draw
Faroes - win
France - win
Cyprus - win
Switzerland - win

That is all Kerr is saying. Wil people bloody realise that.