It's all to play for...

[carloz]

We are not going to loe the three games in a row, get a grip. There is being sceptical and being downright stupid. Other than away in Wales Slovakia have been very poor, there is no reason we cant get a result there. The Czechs also have only played well in one match, away to Slovakia. At home to Germany its hard to see us losing, we may not win but i cant see Germany going Gung Ho to get a win, they would be very happy with a draw.
My Predictions:

Us:

v Slovaks (a) Draw 0-0
v Czechs (a) Draw 1-1
v Germany (h) Win
v Cyprus (h) Win
v Wales (a) Win

Points= 24

Germany
v Wales (a) Draw
v Us (a) Lose
v Czechs (h) Win
v Cyprus (h) Win
v Wales (h) Win

Points: 29

Czechs:
v S&M (a) Win
v Us (h) Draw
v Germany (a) Lose
v Slovaks (h) Draw
v Cyprus (a) Win

Points: 22

Slovaks:
v Us (h) Draw
v Wales (h) Win
v S &M (h) Win
v Czechs (a) Draw
v S&M (a) Win

Points: 20


I know im being the other scale and being ultra optimistic here. It all depends on the Slovakia game, if we get a positive in that its all open to us, if we slip up its lights off and then ything could happen us in the last games. Im struggling to remember the last time we were completly out of contention of qualification/play offs come the last round of games. Deep deep down I have the sneaky feeling that the Czechs in their last game will need to win in Cyprus to pip us to second and they do it curtosy of a 91st minute deflected goal

[geysir]

We are not going to loe the three games in a row, get a grip. There is being sceptical and being downright stupid.

It's okay it's just Mypost, that's par for his course.

[mypost]

We are not going to loe the three games in a row, get a grip. There is being sceptical and being downright stupid. Other than away in Wales Slovakia have been very poor, there is no reason we cant get a result there. The Czechs also have only played well in one match, away to Slovakia. At home to Germany its hard to see us losing, we may not win but i cant see Germany going Gung Ho to get a win, they would be very happy with a draw.

Whatever about the German visit, (and they've already won at their other rivals) far better Irish teams and bosses, have gone to places like Slovakia and Czech Republic and failed to win in the past, what makes you think he will?

I still think Slovakia are in the shake-up, as they still have San Marino to play twice, and have us and Wales at home, that's 10-12 points pretty much guaranteed already. Prague is a fortress for the Czechs, while Germany always get what they need. Even with the good players we have, With no Duff available, a tough run-in, and more importantly the Fr. Dougal of football bosses "in charge", we won't qualify.

[billybunter]

i do have to say - tiz a right pi$$y group on here. befofre equador and bolivia in those friendlies, the punters were calling for 2 losses. we went unbeaten with arguably our 3rd string 11. IMO we are way better now than when we first played germany at the start of qualifying, yet people are talking about Germany to win euro 2008 outright. (they beat us 1-0 and we could have easily come away with a point). for fux sake, will ye give a bit of credit where due. Cyprus away - bad, san marno awa - bad. Slovakia, czech and wales at home - 2 wins and a draw against the supposed contenders in the group. i feel we will qualify. and i we dont, then fook it, but give credit where its due. we're going into the last stretch - very much in the race, very much with positive momentum in our favor -yet have the flutes on here are talking abuot how shiite we are...... what the fook did ye expect? for us to be 10 points clear and duffer to be world player of the year?

breaking news - we are the republic of ireland - never great -we'll never pi$$ these groups against top seeds, but we are always interesting.....cheer up - and lets see where the the rollercoaster takes her next turn.

[Sligo Hornet]

I agree with the need for more optimism.In my opinion ( maybe others might share it) the disaster in Cyprus was our "lowest point", with the San Marino scare being the earliest beginning of a turn for the better.Recent results ( though not the greatest performances ) continue this trend with the players ( and possibly our "great Gaffer" ) gaining in confidence.

We now have a better than reasonable chance to qualify, providing the nerve holds.

My prediction for the Autumn is a scrappy/lucky win in Bratislava, followed by a more convincing performance and at least a draw in Prague.

These results will provide the necessary passion in Croker to gain a surprise victory over the slighty over confident/complacent Germans.

Then it's a trip to the Land of Sheep for a fantastic party!!

What do you think..........am I completely mad?

[Paddy Garcia]

i do have to say - tiz a right pi$$y group on here. befofre equador and bolivia in those friendlies, the punters were calling for 2 losses. we went unbeaten with arguably our 3rd string 11. IMO we are way better now than when we first played germany at the start of qualifying, yet people are talking about Germany to win euro 2008 outright. (they beat us 1-0 and we could have easily come away with a point). for fux sake, will ye give a bit of credit where due. Cyprus away - bad, san marno awa - bad. Slovakia, czech and wales at home - 2 wins and a draw against the supposed contenders in the group. i feel we will qualify. and i we dont, then fook it, but give credit where its due. we're going into the last stretch - very much in the race, very much with positive momentum in our favor -yet have the flutes on here are talking abuot how shiite we are...... what the fook did ye expect? for us to be 10 points clear and duffer to be world player of the year?

breaking news - we are the republic of ireland - never great -we'll never pi$$ these groups against top seeds, but we are always interesting.....cheer up - and lets see where the the rollercoaster takes her next turn.

There is no credit due. Poor grasping performances against Wales and Slovakia - two weak teams. Satisfaction (& celebration) with mediocrity against the Czechs (I wonder what a leader like Keane would have felt). My God - as for the pathetic struggle against San Marino! I missed the German game (despite helpful tips from Endabob), but it sounds like that game (loss) was our high point from what you say.

Anyway we were not playing against full strength teams in the States, in fact one is the worst team in S America. Bolivia could have scored a hatful.

There is no positive momentum cept what can be gleaned from the poor form of our opposition. And that Stan managed to resist sticking Alan O'Brien on against Wales & the Czechs. ..and OK - some lucky wins.

I hope things are turned around but there will need to be a significant change in approach & style if we are to qualify - building on the rubbbish from the spring will leave us well short.

[tetsujin1979]

From today's Indo: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...nd-693213.html

Group D: with San Marino
P W D L F A Pts
Germany 751029419
Czech Republic742015414
IRELAND741212813
Slovakia 730416139
Wales 6213897
Cyprus 61149164
San Marino 60061360

Group D: without San Marino
P W D L F A Pts
Germany 541010413
Czech Republic63218414
Slovakia 730416139
Rep of Ireland 5212577
Wales 5113594
Cyprus 61149164

I cleaned this up a bit to make it more readable, and added in a Goal Difference column. Evidently, despite the Independent's spanking new look, they still haven't found the <table> tag
Also, several of their figures are incorrect, according to uefa.com - http://www.uefa.com/competitions/eur...roup=2633.html - Germany have scored 30, not 29, Slovakia have conceded 14, not 13, and (while it's been a some time since I took basic multiplication) I'm pretty sure (3 x 3) + 2 is 11, not 14.

Group D: with San Marino                            
Team                              P  W D L  F  A  GD Pts
Germany                           7  6 1 0 30  4  26  19
Czech Republic                    7  4 2 0 15  4  11  14
IRELAND                           7  4 1 2 12  8   4  13
Slovakia                          7  3 0 4 16 14   2   9
Wales                             6  2 1 3  8  9  -1   7
Cyprus                            6  1 1 4  9 16  -7   4
San Marino                        6  0 0 6  1 36 -35   0
                                                    
Group D: without San Marino                         
Team                              P  W D L  F  A  GD Pts
Germany                           5  4 1 0 11  4   7  13
Czech Republic                    6  3 2 1 18  4  14  11
Slovakia                          7  3 0 4 16 14   2   9
IRELAND                           5  2 1 2  5  7  -2   7
Wales                             5  1 1 3  5  9  -4   4
Cyprus                            6  1 1 4  9 16  -7   4

<EDIT>That page has since been taken down from the Indo's site. But I swear it was there this morning and that's the table/mess that was on it

[NeilMcD]

We've got to catch Czechs

After a two-week coaching course at Lilleshall and a couple of favourable results in Cardiff and Hamburg, Steve Staunton will head for home tomorrow a little better qualified to do his job and a little more optimistic, perhaps, about his prospects of achieving his most immediate goal in it, writes Emmet Malone , Soccer Correspondent

"We want Germany to win all their games, bar one in Dublin next October, so their victory over Slovakia was a good result for us," said Staunton yesterday.

"It's still a three-horse race between ourselves, the Czechs and Slovakia for the second qualifying spot in the group," he continued. "If Slovakia beat us in September they are right back in it so they can't be written off just yet. There are a lot of big games to be played between the top four."

In reality, Germany appear to have all but ended Slovakia's hopes of being in Austria or Switzerland this time next year, even if the Slovaks retain the capacity to do the same to the Irish come September.

The Czechs have also made their journey to the finals a good deal less certain by failing to win in Cardiff, although it remains hard to see how the Republic can qualify for Euro 2008 without beating at least one of Group D's two top teams in the autumn.

One thing is clear. Wednesday's win for Joachim Loew's men means that Germany, with Wales to play both home and away as well as games against Cyprus, the Czech Republic and Ireland still to come, are virtually certain to top this group.

"We're unbeaten in qualifying for Euro 2008," said a clearly satisfied Loew after his side's latest victory. "Not many teams have done that post-World Cup."

The German coach was entitled to be pleased with his side's progress. They may not have played especially well this week but they have a healthy habit of doing enough and included in the six group wins they have run up since last summer are 3-0 and 4-1 successes away to the Czechs and Slovaks respectively.

On Wednesday, there was the added bonus from Loew's point of view that victory was achieved without the likes of Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski or Bastian Schweinsteiger. Indeed, the winning goal in Hamburg came from Thomas Hitzlsperger, who is one of a number of players to break into the team under the current manager. "It's a real success for us that we've managed to bring on so many young players after the World Cup," said Loew. "Players like Marcell Jansen, Hitzlsperger and Mario Gomez have taken big steps forward and we can be proud of that. Our goal for the new season will be to make improvements on an individual basis. Of course, there is work to do on our tactics as well but improving individually is now the target."

Slovakia, as it happens, probably have the easiest run-in, with San Marino to play twice, both Ireland and Wales on home territory and just one really tough looking away game, in Prague in mid-November. Now five points behind their neighbours, however, and four adrift of Ireland, it is extremely hard to see how Jan Kocian's side could make up the required ground on both teams to grab second place.

That leaves the Czechs and the Irish to contest what now looks a straight two-way duel for the second qualification spot, with Staunton's men needing to overcome a one-point and seven-goal disadvantage over the course of their remaining five matches if they are to bag the prize. It will not, needless to say, be easy.

For a start, the Czechs resume their campaign in September with a trip to San Marino where they should manage to put their recent lethargy behind them and extend, at least in terms of the goal difference, the gap between the two sides. They then play host to the Irish before wrapping up their campaign with games against Germany, Slovakia and Cyprus.

At least three of those five games should yield maximum points. Aside from San Marino, the Slovaks were well beaten away and should really succumb in Prague after which, if all is still going to plan, Karel Brückner and his men would travel to Nicosia confident of doing what neither Ireland nor Germany has managed there, winning.

In contrast, the Irish appear to have just one group game after the summer that might be regarded as approaching a banker and that's against a side that won 5-2 when the two sides met last October.

In the event that the Czechs do beat San Marino, Slovakia and Cyprus, however, Staunton's men are almost certainly going to have to win four of their remaining five games, with at least a draw required in the Czech capital.

It's an enormously tall order for a team without a competitive home win over highly ranked opponents since the Netherlands game at Lansdowne Road in September 2001 and one that hasn't beaten even modestly impressive opponents in a qualifier on foreign soil since a 1-0 in Glasgow just over 20 years ago.

There is no particular reason to suspect that the latter run will end in September, although Slovakia have not come close so far to reproducing the sort of form they showed in the last World Cup campaign. And even a good day in Bratislava, seems unlikely to spare Staunton from being haunted by the thought that qualification was blown by one unqualified disaster, those 90 chaotic minutes in Nicosia.

[bennocelt]

The Czechs had beaten Slov. off the park away before they came to Dublin.
I'd say with confidence that then they hadn't dropped to the level that they are at now.
Why we are stronger than 9 months ago is in part to do with the squad now compared to then.
There is no doubt in my mind that we are better, I don't know if that is good enough to get a result away to the Czechs.

i think the Czechs were on a downward spiral anyway , since the world cup, where they were average to say the least,
without Nedved they are a team that can be beaten
putting the two teams side by side, i think ireland should get a result out there, but then you have to factor in Stan, which is a negative influence

[geysir]

Press Calls for Bruckner to Go
http://prague.tv/czech-football/?p=669
“Time to change coaches,” argued Mlada fronta Dnes. “The national team isn’t heading towards a triumphal arch but to the cemetery gates. It’s necessary to stop this slow dying.”
“Today,” Sip laments, “nobody fears us, and the coach doesn’t have any solutions” — but the paper thinks it’s unlikely that Bruckner will be sacked.

“Should the national team leadership of manager Kostal and coach Bruckner step down?,” asks the daily Sport newspaper, then answers its own question: “For a long time, we’ve said yes, and Saturday’s disgrace in Wales is only confirmation of that.”

“Their continued leadership of Czech football sends us, completely unnecessarily, further along a path from which a return to the top will be a long and even more painful process,” the writer adds.


Bruckner desperatly grabs for another version of Stan's calender of survival after the draw with Wales
http://prague.tv/czech-football/?p=666
“The spring wasn’t a true picture and I believe that we’ll play better football in the autumn,” he said. “The form of the players traditionally improves then, so I expect us to control the games with San Marino and Ireland in September.”

[geysir]

What we really need is for our team manager to have a basic grasp of the seasons, their effect on our game and the game of the opposition, when charting out the fixtures.

[youngirish]

What we really need is for our team manager to have a basic grasp of the seasons, their effect on our game and the game of the opposition, when charting out the fixtures.

You mean we need to have someone with a clue?

For all the doom and gloom merchants out there, I agree with many of your points but answer me this did any of you honestly think after the 4-0 drubbing by the Dutch and the 5-2 defeat to Cyprus that after more than half the qualifying games have been completed we'd still be in with a decent chance of qualifying from this group? I'm happy to admit that I didn't think we'd have a hope and that alone is reason for optimism.

Stan has showed signs of improvement recently. Let's be honest he took a job with no previous experience so he's learning all the time. I still think he's out of his depth and we won't quite get enough points to qualify but 3rd is respectable in this group if we at least achieve that. If we do it's a big improvement on Kerr who consistently failed to qualify from easier groups than this one.

[Lionel Ritchie]

v Slovaks (a) Draw 0-0
v Czechs (a) Draw 1-1
v Germany (h) Win
v Cyprus (h) Win
v Wales (a) Win

Points= 24


Czechs:
v S&M (a) Win
v Us (h) Draw
v Germany (a) Lose
v Slovaks (h) Draw
v Cyprus (a) Win

Points: 22

As Ian Paisley said to a Catholic Nun he happened upon while she apparently emptied the contents of a bedpan into her petrol tank ...."Sister, I don't share your faith ...but I have to admire it".

[Lionel Ritchie]

If we do it's a big improvement on Kerr who consistently failed to qualify from easier groups than this one.

You can't get any more consistent than one full campaign in charge I suppose.

[Paddy Garcia]

As Ian Paisley said to a Catholic Nun he happened upon while she apparently emptied the contents of a bedpan into her petrol tank ...."Sister, I don't share your faith ...but I have to admire it".

Yeah & even the one you missed - Cyprus will fancy there chances against us. It is hardly a home banker.

[youngirish]

You can't get any more consistent than one full campaign in charge I suppose.

He messed up for the Euros aswell when we had put ourselves back in with a very good chance of qualifying as you well know my love ballad crooning friend. I was crying after the Swiss result in Basle 'All Night Long' as it seriously tested 'My Endless Love' for the Ireland team. They had it too 'Easy' against us due to Kerr playing his defensive football when we 'Truly' needed to win. John O'Shea defended in that match like a 'Ballerina Girl' from my recollection. These are thing you don't forget.

[shakermaker1982]

I think it's gonna come down to the Czech Rep/Cyprus game and we'll be hoping the Cypriots can get a draw at least......

[gustavo]

Us:

v Slovaks (a) Draw
v Czechs (a) Draw
v Germany (h) Win
v Cyprus (h) Win
v Wales (a) Draw

Points= 21

Germany
v Wales (a) Win
v Us (a) Lose
v Czechs (h) Draw
v Cyprus (h) Win
v Wales (h) Win

Points: 29

Czechs:
v S&M (a) Win
v Us (h) Draw
v Germany (a) Draw
v Slovaks (h) Win
v Cyprus (a) Win

Points: 25

Slovaks:
v Us (h) Draw
v Wales (h) Draw
v S &M (h) Win
v Czechs (a) Lose
v S&M (a) Win

Points: 17


With us missing out but putting up a decent fight all the same of course a victory over the Czechs would change that

[tetsujin1979]

Yeah & even the one you missed - Cyprus will fancy there chances against us. It is hardly a home banker.

Cyprus's away games to date:

Slovakia	6 - 1	Cyprus
Wales	        3 - 1	Cyprus
Czech Republic	1 - 0	Cyprus

So 2 goals scored, and 10 conceded, and they've still to play us and Germany.
Granted it's not a home banker, but they're obviously far weaker away from home.

[carloz]

Thats what i feel to but at that stage the element of surprise in travelling to Cyprus will be gone. We got destroyed there, Germany dropped points and Slovakia were outplayed. The Czechs will no what to expect and if they needed to get the win id be quite confident they would get it. The way we can blame Cyprus for preventing us from qualifying, just like we did with Israel in the last quialifiers, rather han what we should be doing, blaming ourselves