Yeah, only three spots available because Germany qualify automaticallyOriginally Posted by pineapple stu
Right, the biggest draw in years for Ireland is coming up at five this evening. Who do we want, who do we want to avoid. This could make or break Stephen Kenny as the Irish manager, could see us right among the big boys in the next NL series, or see us floating around the depths of Path C
Kind of excited for this...
Iceland, Finland and Armenia would do thanks very much
Seeden, Russia, Albania.. ouch
Funny how a couple of good results - largely against ****e opposition - can get a bit of excitement going again!
I'm still ok with getting one challenging team - Sweden or Norway - to see where we're really at. Sweden and Norway would be a disaster. Can fully understand the view that we'd be happy with the easiest possible group though, which has to be Iceland and Finland from the top two pots. All the others look decent tbh. Actually, if we avoid both Iceland and Finland, we'd be left with a very tough group regardless.
Sweden, Finland and Armenia for me. I'd like Finland in particular as it'd be interesting to compare how we are now against 12 months ago.
Is it streamed anywhere?
yeah, UEFA are streaming it on their site here
https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleag.../2023/2001599/
So -
Ukraine
Scotland
Ireland
Armenia
Now that it's on paper, it's not the worst of groups. But Scotland are improving under Clarke and while Ukraine were ****e at the Euros, they did at least get there and got out of the groups too.
I think it'll tell us a fair bit about where the Kenny project is at. Not sure if we can win it, but second is a possibility.
And Sweden, Norway, Serbia and Slovenia was a group well avoided!
So we certainly can't have any real complaints about the draw.
Fixtures out tomorrow.
Could've been worse but Ukraine will be tough. Scotland will be interesting, they've got a decent group of players going into the WC next year.
Our first ever match with Ukraine actually, isn't it?
Does that leave Slovenia and Kosovo as UEFA sides we've never faced?
Last edited by pineapple stu; 16/12/2021 at 4:53 PM.
Yeah, and Slovenia, if we had drawn them
The only other members of UEFA we've never drawn is Kosovo
Pretty even record with Scotland, but they're organised and improving, and Roberson and Gilmour are better than anyone in our squad right now.
I'm ok with Armenia, they're not as strong as they were when we faced them in qualifying for 2012, and we were the only team to win in Yerevan.
Objectives:
Don't finish last, don't want to go to Group C
Scotland will be interesting. Robertson and Gilmour mentioned, but they've also got decent players in Tierney and Mc Ginn.. but they're no World beaters
Knowing Putin, we'll be be playing Ukraine in Germany somewhere
As is Tierney, McGregor and McGinn. There's a lot of decent quality in their lineup playing at a high level. A definite test for us.
I was saying this before re Scotland was the team to avoid.
Ukraine and Armenia no problem . But kenny should be worried about Scotland. They are in a way better place then us and the average irish punter won't accept us been beaten by them.
Possibly, but I'd also be looking for them at home in the first series of games, would be a solid sell out and great atmosphere
I think that makes sense alright.
Scotland (H)
Then Ukraine (A) and Armenia (A) - minimise the travel
Then either of the latter at home.
Finish off with Scotland A and one last home game in September.
Scotland playing Ukraine in the World Cup playoffs in March; that'll be interesting
How did ya get to know him? I'd say he's some craic after a few pints
Scotland and Ukraine are tough games alright but a good test and will give us a better odea of where we stand. Armenia I know little about.
This year in qualifying, they drew at home to Liechtenstein and lost 5-0 at home to North Macedonia, but beat Romania 3-2 and Iceland 2-0.
So - God knows what they'll be like against us.
There's not much to him. He's only 5'6". I'd say he could be rubbered after 5 or 6 pints.
Getting back to the football, I'm delighted we've got Scotland. That means a **** up in Glasgow. Hopefully this one is played in Hampden. Celtic Park was nice as a one off last time, but I've never been to Hampden, so it would be nice to get a look at it.
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
Good group I think. Good chance of retaining position in that tier, and good tests of where Kenny will be against Ukraine and Scotland. What would people be happy with points wise? Suppose we should be aiming for 12? That'd be home-and-away wins against Armenia, four points at home to the other two, and two away?
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
He's grand on the pints but if he starts on the vodka he gets messy... it's all Crimea this and Dos Vedonya that
Again, partially football wise.. wouldn't it just be Ireland's luck that he'd invade the week that Ireland would be there playing, and we'd be getting Skype messages from Davy Keogh and the Cliftonville Boys in Green about how they can't get out
Scotland playing Ukraine in the play offs will also be interesting.. one or the other will be pretty deflated after getting beaten and being knocked out of the World Cup.
I still think this is a massive opportunity to get players in for 2-3 weeks prior to the games and almost treat June like a mini tournament.
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