Predictions Thread

**geysir** · 05/10/2006, 5:16 PM

A bit fairer to give the full article puts it in context

There was no intention to be unfair, no hidden agenda or imaginative interpretations made. The link to the article was clearly provided. The rest of the article is quite run of the mill repetition imo.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 05/10/2006, 6:08 PM

Cyprus 1-1 Ireland
Ireland 1-2 Czechs

**Dublin12** · 06/10/2006, 8:17 AM

Cyprus 1 Ireland 0
Ireland 1 Czechs 3

**shakermaker1982** · 06/10/2006, 10:04 AM

By best mate Lawro has had his say on the BBC site:

The last time they went to Cyprus, the Republic of Ireland got absolutely battered in the first half, really torn apart but they held on and survived.

But this time, manager Steve Staunton is banned so he will be up in the stands and they also have a few injury problems as well.

I think, at best, they can hope for a draw - and that tells you a couple of things.

Firstly, there is a real lack of quality and depth in the Republic's team and squad but also Cyprus are definitely improving. I feel that Staunton's side have an awful lot to do in this group.

Prediction: 1-1

**Sligo Hornet** · 06/10/2006, 10:07 AM

I am feeling strangely positive about BOTH games.....

Cyprus 0-2 Ireland

Ireland 2-1 Czech

**eirebhoy** · 06/10/2006, 10:17 AM

I think the crowd might play a big part in Wednesday's game. Because of that we'd probably need a decent performance on Saturday to raise the spirits.

**jockser** · 06/10/2006, 10:32 AM

Cyprus 0-2 Ireland

Ireland 1-0 Czech

**Stuttgart88** · 06/10/2006, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

By best mate Lawro has had his say on the BBC site:

I said this in another thread, but how can he say (in his Wales win prediction) that missing their best player and calling up promising kids from Wrexham is encouraging when they're playing the third seeds, whereas us missing players and calling up players playing at a much higher level means we're ****ed against the 5th seeds. Wales' opponents beat our opponents 6-1 only weeks ago.

Inconsistent.

That said, yoou can't deny how badly we struggled out there, and even when we won 4-0 too.

**tetsujin1979** · 06/10/2006, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Wales' opponents beat our opponents 6-1 only weeks ago.

Slovakia beat them 6-1, Wales lost to the Czech Republic 2-1
http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd?teamid=2831

**eirebhoy** · 06/10/2006, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Slovakia beat them 6-1, Wales lost to the Czech Republic 2-1
http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd?teamid=2831

He means Wales' opponents this Saturday.

**Stuttgart88** · 06/10/2006, 11:05 AM

Indeed.

Wales lost 1-0 to Cyprus in May or June I think.

**tetsujin1979** · 06/10/2006, 11:05 AM

Ah crap!

**eirebhoy** · 06/10/2006, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Indeed.

Wales lost 1-0 to Cyprus in May or June I think.

I remember watching the highlights on SSN that night and ironically it was Wales goalkeeper that saved them from a hiding. Apparantly he made a few top drawer saves.

edit:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/matchofth...5_cyprus.shtml

"Price kept Wales in the game with a string of vital saves. He couldn't do anything with the penalty and should be very pleased with his international debut."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=190292&cc=5739

"Had it not been for an outstanding display from goalkeeper Lewis Price on his debut, this could have been a very embarrassing scoreline to match a dreadful performance."

I think it's a case of teams underestimating Cyprus more than anything so that won't be the case on Saturday.

**Stuttgart88** · 06/10/2006, 11:11 AM

True, I think it was Shane Supple's competition at Ipswich, Lewis Price.

**FootballsKing** · 06/10/2006, 11:41 AM

you are all over-estimating the Cypriots. Yes, we struggled against them last time out, but despite our depleted squad and lack of much real talent, we should still take 3 points home, and look comfortable in victory. Last time out was a once off i think. The Germans beat us 1-0 and i reckon they would easily put 7 or 8 past Cyprus

**geysir** · 06/10/2006, 1:26 PM

I dunno FK, just worn out wearied resignation to miserable struggles away from home against teams like Cyprus.

At least Stan is upbeat, taken fromhttp://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/1005/stauntons.html
"If we play at the same tempo and go at Cyprus like we did at Germany, then we should be okay,' said Staunton,"
'We tried to impose a high tempo over in Germany. That's the way I want to play, but we have to keep the ball better - because we let ourselves down in the second half on that."

I'll go with the "should be okay". Its just the 'minor' details of the who and the how we are going to keep possession and control the midfield.

**concanta** · 06/10/2006, 1:32 PM

I think this will be the team that will be picked tomorrow

Kenny

Finnan
Dunne
O'Brien
O'Shea

McGeady
Kilbane
Miller
Duff

Morrison
Keane

that team can win the game - whether they will is another thing

The team for the Czech game should be the same except Doyle in for Morrison and Andy Reid in for Miller

**NeilMcD** · 06/10/2006, 1:38 PM

Kilbane should not be let near our central midfield. Anyone who knows anything about football can clearly see that. If Stan picks him there it says so many things about him as a manager.

**padzer** · 06/10/2006, 1:49 PM

I can see us making very hard work of tmoros game, Wednesday's game will be a completely different story, grinding out a draw is all that can be hoped for. A boring one at that.

Cyprus 0-1 Ireland
Ireland 0-0 Czech Rep