Can we still qualify?

**harps1954** · 12/10/2006, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by blobbyblob

Id be looking at between 18-20 points as a successful campaign at this stage. What happens after that I dunno

I reckon between 21-24 should get a play off

There is no play-off. Top two qualify automatically.

**paul_oshea** · 12/10/2006, 11:28 AM

Id be looking at between 18-20 points as a successful campaign at this stage. What happens after that I dunno

I reckon between 21-24 should get a play off

top two teams qualify automatically...tsch

**blobbyblob** · 12/10/2006, 11:30 AM

21-24 qualify then - you know what im saying

**The Swordsman** · 12/10/2006, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by bluemovie

No chance. The group is pretty much wrapped up already with Germany and the Czechs in very strong positions. The hope when the draw was made was that teams would take points off the top seeds, but the Czechs went to Slovakia in September and won 3-0. The top two should cruise through with an almighty battle for third place.

You have to remember that the top two teams have to play each other. If one (preferably Germany) can take six points off the other this will have a huge effect on the group.

I don't think Germany will slip up. But the Czechs might and that is our chink of light. We were the better team against them last night, despite having some of our key players missing. With a little bit more luck, we could have beaten them. Wales and Slovakia (local rivals) may cause them problems, too.

I have Germany favs to top the group. We don't have a snowball's chance in hell in topping the group.

Czech Rep are favourites to get second. We have an outside chance.

Keep the faith

**dfx-** · 12/10/2006, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Whether it's in Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Zl�n, Plzeň, Pardubice, Hradec Kr�lov�, Česk� Budějovice, Liberec, Olomouc or �st� nad Labem we won't win.

Substitute that for Slovakia's cities and when the Germans come looking for a win and the same point can be made. All you need to do is want to win against Ireland and you could probably do it.

Whether it be Mathmatically, physically, sportily, chemically, biologically, irish-ly, carsley, on paper-ly, we WILL NOT qualify from this group.

I though Saturday would remove any such pointless, fruitless talk, but alas no. Stop making failure more painful than it already is.

**bluemovie** · 12/10/2006, 12:00 PM

I'm quite happy wallowing in my pessimism. I'll shout and sing as loudly as anyone at the matches, but unfortunately, The Gaffer has taken this to mean that we're all 100% behind him. I'm not. I think he's the wrong man for the job. I don't think we stand any chance of qualifying. I don't see things improving majorly under him. And I think the longer he stays in the job, the more damage will be done. It's not a personal grudge. He was one of my childhood heroes and a decent man, but he's not up to the job.

The Czechs didn't stretch themselves last night. I'd be very surprised if we got a point in Prague. They took the Slovaks apart away from home, so I'd expect them to beat Slovakia in Prague too. So even if we got 12 points from Wales and Slovakia (which I really don't see happening either), I still think the Czechs and Germany would be home and dry.

**mjpcc** · 12/10/2006, 12:22 PM

Not a chance.

The most likely team to screw up against weaker opposition is us. we have a history of it.

We always seem to raise our game for the big guns. But can anyone honestly see up taking 12 points from Wales and Slovakia and getting a result against Germany at home or the Czechs away.

On top of that we need Germany to do us a favour and beat every one else every game.

**paul_oshea** · 12/10/2006, 12:28 PM

21-24 qualify then - you know what im saying

eh that means that you think the most either germany or czech are going to get from their next 9 and 8 matches respectively are 12 and 11 points respectively!!! i dont think so blobbyblob!!!!

**youngirish** · 12/10/2006, 12:59 PM

Be realistic. We haven't a hope in hell of qualfication. We got hammerred by Cyrpus ffs. The Czechs and the Germans won't drop points against the likes of them.

Third place is not beyond us however.

**Billsthoughts** · 12/10/2006, 1:12 PM

they dont hand out prizes for third place.
no proper manager = no hope.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 12/10/2006, 1:20 PM

I think we're playing for third.

Us and San Marino are the only teams that will drop points in Cyprus.

The Germans won't drop points anywhere unlikely. They consider that inefficient. Might split them with Czech but that's about it.

Slovakia will be extremely tricky for us -home and away -as there'll be a creeping assumption that if we can get something off Czech then...

Wales will have one good win in this campaign. I hope to fcuk it's not against us. I suspect it could be against Czech going on last night.

The Welsh games will be extremely tough for us.

That we have the ability to beat them is certain, the consistency of performance is the doubt and the problem.

**Metrostars** · 12/10/2006, 2:43 PM

Although it is unlikely we could still qualify.
Our next 2 games are against San Marino, we should bag 6 points. Czech's next game is at home to Germany in March, the same day we're at home to Wales. Should we manage a win and if Germany get an away draw, this would be a big boost for us. A few days later we play Slovakia at home(we win) and Czechs are at home to Cyprus.

We don't play in June 07 while Czechs have a difficult away game in Wales(my hope a draw). By then the Czechs will have 15 points to Ireland's 13.

Then come the two big away games in 4 days in September to Slovakia and the Czechs. 2 wins, yeah? We'll have 19 to Czechs 18 after they beat SM.

In October, we get a draw at home with Germany and a few days later, frustrated there were unable to do so in Croke Park, they beat the Czechs to clinch the group, while Ireland gets revenge on Cyprus. Ireland 23 Czechs 18.

In November, neighbours Slovakia hold the Czechs to a draw, while Ireland also draw with Wales to clinch second place, and the final win for the Czechs over Cyprus is purely academic, final talley, Ireland 24, Czechs 22.

Remaining games: Ireland 7wins(6 in a row), 1 draw Czechs 3 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses

Wake me up from my dream when you get a chance!

**geysir** · 12/10/2006, 3:05 PM

Originally Posted by mjpcc

Not a chance.

The most likely team to screw up against weaker opposition is us. we have a history of it.

There was only a glimmer after the Czechs beat Slovakia away.

The Czechs have slipped up badly themselves away to Malta and Iceland for the WCQ '02. This time their last game is against Cyprus away, not very likely then.

**antrimgreen** · 12/10/2006, 3:47 PM

The reality of the situation is that, we should have had at least 4 points on the board at this stage, so if we do well from here on in, the dire display in Cyrpus has left qualification hopes completly dashed. However i will continue to pray for the miracle!

**bmozza** · 12/10/2006, 4:05 PM

I think our table will look like this after our next two games. Then in the next set of games, the Germans play the Czechs!!
................Played..........Pts
Germany.......4............ 12
Czechs.........4.............10
Ireland.........4..............7
Slovakia.......4..............6
Wales..........3..............3
Cyprus.........4..............3
San Marino....4.............0

It's very early to count us out yet.

**Clipper** · 12/10/2006, 4:08 PM

Bit of realism lads, we have no hope. 1 point from 3 games, enough said. If Robbie's header (using the term loosely there) had have gone in then we might have had a very very slim chance, but it didn't, we're out.

I hope and pray that I'm wrong but it's all about salvaging our seeding at this stage!

**paul_oshea** · 12/10/2006, 4:14 PM

I think our table will look like this after our next two games. Then in the next set of games, the Germans play the Czechs!!
................Played..........Pts
Germany.......4............ 12
Czechs.........4.............10
Ireland.........4..............7
Slovakia.......4..............6
Wales..........3..............3
Cyprus.........4..............3
San Marino....4.............0

since when did they start giving out 6 points to the irish for a win?

**bmozza** · 12/10/2006, 4:25 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

since when did they start giving out 6 points to the irish for a win?

sorry, we'll have played 5.

**Fubar** · 12/10/2006, 5:01 PM

Originally Posted by antrimgreen

The reality of the situation is that, we should have had at least 4 points on the board at this stage, so if we do well from here on in, the dire display in Cyrpus has left qualification hopes completly dashed. However i will continue to pray for the miracle!

Isnt that what we are always left saying tho??? Same after the 2 israel games we should have had 6 points from those 2 games. do we just have higher expectations then are realistic or are we just let down by a team who should be winning more???

Heart says roll on Switzerland/ Austria
Head says roll on 2010 campaign...

**Stuttgart88** · 13/10/2006, 10:41 AM

To win our remaining home games and at least one proper away victory will be an acceptable outcome from this position in my opinion.

3rd place is definitely up for grabs. Second is fanciful. To can go into the next campaign with a winning habit, especially away from home, is the very least we should be aiming for.