The France Prediction Thread

[TerryPhelan]

... 'cos I just can't get it out of my head. Fellow posters, I am admittedly the most pessimistic Irish fan alive. Probably. I always fear the worst. As most of you can probably understand, however, it is usually a strategy of indirect reverse-psychology: constantly willing your team to defy your doomsday predictions. At the very least, adopting a generally resigned attitude towards Ireland's chance of success (while obviously cheering them on at the top of my voice) means you either end up proven delightfully wrong or else you were correct. Even with all this in mind, I just cannot see us beating France. Scratch that, actually. I cannot see us not losing to France.

I think everyone recognises that this French team - having woefully underperformed so far in the group - is due a big performance. This is an absolutely crucial game for them. We coped so well against them in Paris because we were able to overrun their midfield. We had Zinedine Kilbane playing the game of his life against the overrated Dacourt, and Fookin' Cheese Sandwiches comfortably running the show against the teenage debutant Mavuba. Gallas cancelled Duff out on our left just as Stevies Finnan and Carr cancelled Henry and Pires out on our right. However, with a completely overhauled midfield - the outstanding Makalele in the holding role, allowing Zidane and Vieira to attack more - it will be an entirely different kettle of fish as far as our ability to dictate the game is concerned. I just cannot see us overcoming this sort of quality, whether we are at home or not. With the Roy Keane of 2001 perhaps I might see it differently - we cannot expect him to stem the flow of Zidane and Vieira singlehandedly, while also keeping an eye on Henry. There will just be too many distractions in terms of their attacking threat. Robbie and Clinton will be full of energy, but with Thuram back in the centre for the French, I can only see them floundering.

The only reason for optimism I can eke out of my entrenched doomsday stance is France's miserable display against England in Euro 2004. England ran the game and had the French in their pocket for 89 minutes. England aren't that different or better than us - they certainly weren't then. What bothers me is France's ability to be so utterly clinical when it comes to capitalising on unforced errors - all it took was one stray pass late on from Stevie Gerrard for the whole fabric to come undone. As evidenced throughout our campaign, we are highly prone to making just those sort of errors. We are weak on defending setpieces. Kerr's tactical shortcomings have been exposed by lesser sides than France. And I keep on having premonitions of a 3-0 debacle, all first half goals, with George Hamilton doing his 'oh no - disaster' routine I have grown so accustomed to.

So far I have been able to blow any optimistic ripostes to my position out of the water. I don't want to be able to do this. I want to be proven wrong. I want real reasons to hope. I love my team - this current one in particular - and will cheer them on regardless of my lack of belief that we can hold it together against opposition of top quality. But the pain and exasperation and hurt of the result against Israel burned very, very deep. Please, if there is anyone out there who can offer anything by way of real reasons to hope, I want to hear them.

Because as it stands I can't see past a French victory.

[concanta]

I am one of Irelands more optimistic fans... at the moment I am not confident about beating the French but our chances are no worse off now.... Ireland always perform better as underdogs and we will definitely be underdogs for this game. I know that doesnt mean we will win or have no problems but if th eright team is picked and we go about the game properly I think we can win the game. Our team in my opinion is superior quality than when we beat the Dutch 4 yrs ago, its all about getting the right mentality for the game and we should not panic if we go behind or even ahead.....it sounds silly to panic when we are ahead but we have done in the past ( against israel 2 times)

My prediction ( hand on heart ) is a 2 2 draw

[superfrank]

1-0. Don't ask me how I know, it's just a feeling!

PS. I will come back here and admit I'm wrong if final score isn't 1-0.

[thejollyrodger]

my prediction is

best peformance yet under kerr and Ireland beat France by a goal.

[sligoman]

Either team can easily win this but I honestly think it will be a draw. But then again, with Barthez out, you never know, we might just get a goal or two

[thejollyrodger]

its some of the negative thinking above (which has no base in reality) that has cost us so dearly in irish football

[mountie]

Listen lads I keep hearing that the French are due a big performance, but so are we. We have an outstanding team of premiership footballers, who in my opinion have not performed to their potential. I see this game as a fast hard tackling premiership type game. I believe with the right attitude of respecting the French but not fearing them and performing as we can we will get the result we want. The return of Zizou and co. smacks of desperation and a French team in turmoil. I have always thought this group was down to us and the French and I believe we are the equal if not the better of France at the moment. I suggest that a vocal home crowd will also be important to us. Prediction is a nail biting game with a 2-1 home win or 1-1 draw at least.

[thejollyrodger]

were due a big performance now, our team is going to be really fired up for this, its a big game, we need the 3 points unlike before, we play our best football against the better sides. Plus the team is starting to settle, we all know the starting best 11 and we have home advantage.

France are a mess, their best players are old and past their best, domench is still looking for new blood and going through a tough period of transition. France havent played well yet and the players and fans dont trust this France team.

I cant see anything but a nail biting win for ireland. Call a spade a spade.

[Cowboy]

Lets get fired up and roar the boys home !

[The Stars]

im going for France 3-1 Ireland.

[sligoman]

its some of the negative thinking above (which has no base in reality) that has cost us so dearly in irish football

Are you saying what I said was negative?

[Closed Account 2]

Think we'll get a draw vs the French. Even though were at home, they will have a much stronger team in terms of starting players than last time we met. I'd take a draw at the moment, I can see us winning in Cyprus, but the big fear for me is not putting the Swiss to task at home. They have become somewhat of a jinx side for us, and we need to voodoo the hoodoo if we want to get to Germany.

[Cowboy]

im going for France 3-1 Ireland.

We are playing at home so Ireland score come first, how can you call yourself a fan with a losers mentality like yours? Guys who believe they will lose usually do

[sligoman]

how can you call yourself a fan with a losers mentality like yours? Guys who believe they will lose usually do

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Every fan doubts their teams chances every now and again. If you dont agree with other people's opinions then fair enough but no need to criticise it!

[Anto McC]

I'll go for a rather exciting 0-0

[thejollyrodger]

Are you saying what I said was negative?

Nil, Terry Phelan and the stars are negative. 3-1 to France ? hello !

[Cowboy]

From Websters dictionary : Main Entry: sup·port·er
Function: noun
: one that supports or acts as a support.

Why cant I criticise an opinion? is the view taken so weak that it cannot withstand debate? Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion as I am free to attack a view that i take exception to. Far too much negativity on here which is ill founded given previous results.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Every fan doubts their teams chances every now and again. If you dont agree with other people's opinions then fair enough but no need to criticise it!

[Qwerty]

I don't think it's negativity from the lads it's just pre-match nerves which all supporters suffer from time to time. I recommend breathing exercises and avoidance of caffeine, and yes use the forum to vent and cry, don't bottle it up now . Remember you should be focusing on the Italy game and use it as practice and fine tuning for the big game against the Les Frogs. Before going to sleep use mental visualization to imagine Les Frogs as a bunch of butter slurping, chain-smoking, pot-bellied rude and mustachioed oafs who speak with funny accents, this will calm you down and allow you a restful nights sleep. Sweet dreams

[geysir]

So far I have been able to blow any optimistic ripostes to my position out of the water. I don't want to be able to do this. I want to be proven wrong. I want real reasons to hope. I love my team - this current one in particular - and will cheer them on regardless of my lack of belief that we can hold it together against opposition of top quality. But the pain and exasperation and hurt of the result against Israel burned very, very deep. Please, if there is anyone out there who can offer anything by way of real reasons to hope, I want to hear them.

Because as it stands I can't see past a French victory.

You are a pessimist albeit self confessed, even if offered tangible hope it wont make a bit of difference to you.
You mention the hurt against Israel, yes of course it hurt but to some who have been following Ireland since way too long, it was a mere scratch, the group is still there to win.
To recount the amount of hurt suffered following Ireland over the decades would require pages and pages. Maybe we can start a matt talbot type of thread and get it all out once and for all with flagellative force. It wouldn't be for the fainthearted.
You asked for some real reasons of hope.
Since I have been following Ireland we have always beaten the French at home in Qual. games. They have come with star studded teams and against the odds we have prevailed, beating them fair and square. For the last 30 years they have been a class team with class players playing the most attractive football yet we have always played well against them. I expect the same to happen in September.

The only option I have for watching the game is via satellite, I could go to a pub but I like to stay sober/nervous while watching Ireland. I could invite a few friends and watch at home. But deep down I know they are genetically pessimistic while at the same time will cheer Ireland. I know they fear the worst and are prepared mentally to survive the worst possible outcome - loosing - and that is expected. Then I prefer to keep them out of sight and watch it my teenage kid who isn't at all shackled by such complexes. I expect us to qualify, if not, its gonna hurt, numb for a few weeks and then the pain kicks in in a bad way around May. Then the whole rigmarole starts again in the following autumn. I can get over loosing, thats why I want us to win and celebrate in style.

[geysir]

I don't think it's negativity from the lads it's just pre-match nerves which all supporters suffer from time to time. I recommend breathing exercises and avoidance of caffeine, and yes use the forum to vent and cry, don't bottle it up now . Remember you should be focusing on the Italy game and use it as practice and fine tuning for the big game against the Les Frogs. Before going to sleep use mental visualization to imagine Les Frogs as a bunch of butter slurping, chain-smoking, pot-bellied rude and mustachioed oafs who speak with funny accents, this will calm you down and allow you a restful nights sleep. Sweet dreams

Dreams, sweet dreams!, I have had 2 football dreams in my life so I suppose I'm not in a serious way.
The first was the night before that infamous game in Liechenstein, I woke up with the horrible image of 0-0 imprinted in headlines on my brain.
The next one was the night before the game in Iran, it was 2-2 and Ireland were crumbling, I woke up thinking that the curse had struck again. I went on line and checked the odds at Paddy power and on seeing 1/8 ireland to qualify I immediately felt kind of tranquil at that. Since then I have been cured.