Portugal '04 - Can we qualify?

[Tellox]

'lo all, long time listening first time poster ect ect
Currently, The Portugal '04 Qualifiers Group 10 looks like this

Team Pld Pts
Switzerland 3 7
Russia 2 6
Albania 2 1
Ireland 2 0
Georgia 1 0

Ireland have lost two key matches already against Switzerland and Russia. We now have to depend on Russia to put Switzerland away for us, or hope that they slip up themselves. We also would want to win all of our upcoming 6 matches, and even then we havent secured our place.

Mick McCarthy is gone, and the traitor Roy doesnt seem to want to grow up and play for his country.

So let me ask you, are you still supporting Ireland through the thick and thin, do you think they'll still qualify?

I for one do.

All the players need is some time off international soccer. The team we've seen play in Korea and Japan are well capable of qualifying for the european championships. I'm trying to get myself some tickets for the Russia match at lansdowne road, seeing as if we can win that, we can qualify, dependant of course on if we slip up between now and then

Whats your opinion?

[brine2]

Mick McCarthy is gone, and the traitor Roy doesnt seem to want to grow up and play for his country.

When did he say he didn't want to play for his country?

[insomniac]

I'm with you Tellox.

Our next 6 matches are all winable(if that'a a word), except maybe that last match could be a bit tricky: Switzerland away and it will probably be a must win for both teams. Should make for an interesting game.

Once we have a new manager who is willing to deploy our best team we shouldn't have too much trouble (fingers crossed) to get to the end of this campaign in a play-off spot.

But then again we all know about play-offs though.......

[Tellox]

brine, In one of thursdays papers, Roy keane called the entire irish team "A bunch of useless muppets". Is that the attitude of a man that wants to play for his country? If you ask me, he never wanted to play,he's just looking for excuses..

[brine2]

He was referring to the Ireland team setup as a whole, and if you read the Genesis report, you'll realise he was right.

[patsh]

Originally posted by Tellox
Roy doesnt seem to want to grow up and play for his country.

Whats your opinion?

My opinion is that you should try and catch yourself on and do some growing up of your own...

[Éanna]

Originally posted by oddboy
My opinion is that you should try and catch yourself on and do some growing up of your own...

I presume that comment is directed at Roy

[Shano]

Tellow; I'm trying to get myself some tickets for the Russia match at lansdowne road, seeing as if we can win that, we can qualify, dependant of course on if we slip up between now and then.

Seeing as we could win that, we could qualify, would you not go otherwise.

[Xlex]

Hey y'all... Give Tellox a break...

I don't think we can qualify but provided it's not possible... I'd rather play the remaining games without RK and with a new set-up... The younger should get the games and form a team who will be around for the next World-Cup cos RK won't be around... neither should Breen or Ian Harte or Kilbane or Carsley or Connolly...

[Éanna]

Originally posted by Xlex
I'd rather play the remaining games without RK and with a new set-up...

agreed

[patsh]

Originally posted by Éanna

I presume that comment is directed at Roy

Now, now Eanna, don't let your irrational hatreds cloud your senses....

[Éanna]

Originally posted by oddboy
Now, now Eanna, don't let your irrational hatreds cloud your senses....

Glad you´ve seen sense and accepted how right I was all along oddboy

[The Money Man]

We can definitely finish second in Group 10. Despite Switzerland's win over us and the improving fortunes of their club sides in Europe, they must be considered to be a very mediocre international oufit. After all, they only managed a 1-1 draw away to Albania - hardly inspiring stuff.

Switzerland's last two games of the campaign are away to Russia and home to us. Presuming that we beat Russia at home and Switzerland don't beat Russia at home, Switzerland would have to win at least one of their last two fixtures to finish in the top two. That would have to be considered unlikely.

All of that said, we really shouldn't be comtemplating the possibility of runners-up spot. After all, this is the weakest qualifying group that we have faced since Euro '88. Now we have probably landed ourselves in a playoff situation again and lets face it - our playoff record doesn't inspire confidence.

So who could we get? Well none of the following are currently winning their group - Czech Rep., England, Italy, Denmark, Sweden. So these are all in the frame. But so are Israel, Scotland, Latvia and Belgium. Hope springs eternal!

The conclusion is that all is not lost. We have done our best to shoot ourseves in the foot but haven't inflicted a mortal wound yet.

[Éanna]

Originally posted by The Money Man
they must be considered to be a very mediocre international oufit.

We're hardly too much better though

[Shed End John]

The way I see it, there's 6 games left that we must and can win with a certain exiled midfielder in tow. Six wins would give us 18 points and you DON'T see too many teams missing out on a playoff spot at the very least with that points haul. Of course, just ONE more slip up and...........

Murphy Out Now!!!

[Éanna]

Originally posted by Shed End John
a certain exiled midfielder in tow.

I thought he was injured or something

[Shed End John]

You know exactly who I mean.

[Tellox]

oddboy, please tell me why I should grow up. Im entitled to an opinion, even if I get it wrong.

back on the subject then, I'm trying to score myself and 3 others tickets to see the green army play russia at lansdowne, It's our most crucial match imho.Im fairly confident a new manager will try out some new things with the lads and bring us back on track. Also, If Glen Crowe can show off his potential to Ireland, and more importantly, our managers-to-be, it might convince them to play a 4-3-3, with Crowe, Morrison and Keane up front. Duff of course, on the wing, since that worked wonders in the WC matches when he was put back there.

[patsh]

Originally posted by Tellox
oddboy, please tell me why I should grow up. Im entitled to an opinion, even if I get it wrong.

I'm not disputing your opinion, just the endless silly, childish name calling.
You cannot mention a certain name without putting perjorative adjectives in front of it. Move on.

[patsh]

Originally posted by Éanna
Glad you´ve seen sense and accepted how right I was all along oddboy

You may be right about some things, and you may be right some of the time, but, Eanna, you are never right about all things all of the time.
So my presumed acceptance of your point of view is a little wide of the mark !...