Predictions for the big Games

**zenokelly** · 04/09/2007, 4:50 PM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

I certainly WOULDN'T have included 4 goalkeepers and probably not 10 midfielders or 5 strikers either. It's not balanced and now he's getting caught out.

As far as I know, Colgan was only included because he was doing the goalkeeping coach duties as Alan Kelly has an injury.

But still, don't know how the FAI didn't get some non-playing member in to act as goalkeeping coach for a week and a half?

**Cymro** · 04/09/2007, 4:51 PM

Slovakia scored 2 wonder goals and had Paul Jones in our goal to thank for their two others. Other than that, they were no better than us over the 90 and it honestly could have been 1-1 on another day.

If Steve Staunton does his homework and tells your players to not let them get in shots from the edges of the box where they can be dangerous I can see you getting a result. A draw at least, if not a win.

As for the Czechs, we were able to contain them and get a draw and actually looked fairly good at times against them, but that was one of best performances in yonks, no doubt due in paret to the fact it was Giggs's last game, and the Czechs still looked their old dangerous selves on the counter. They aren't finished yet and I'd still make them favourites to qualify from our group along with the Germans. That said a draw is a realistic result against them as for all their play they seem to have trouble putting the ball in the back of the net.

**NeilMcD** · 04/09/2007, 4:53 PM

Good Summary there Cymro. I watched both the Welsh matches you talk about and I agree. Wales were really good against Slovakia for periods but they were hit by a few wonder goals and a terrible performance in goals from Jones. You were very unlucky against the Czechs too not to win it. I think if we go with the right positive attitude we can do it. Two 1 nil victories for me please.

**youngirish** · 04/09/2007, 5:04 PM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

Cas and Connolly were and are respectively bloody decent lower prem/upper championship strikers. There's nothing at all to choose between Kells and Stevie Finnan. Terry Phelan in full gait was indeed brilliant. Alan Kelly I'll give you because he had the agility of a hippo who dreamt of flying. Kennedy is one of the great disapointments of a generation ...all the talent but a messer.

As usual you're talking the same old rubbish. Just disagreeing without really knowing why. Connolly is a poor player and can't even get into the squad now (he was playing for Watford in league 1 when he first broke into the Ireland team in the timeframe mentioned) and Cascerino was way past his best after USA 94 playing in the second division in France (he was never brilliant even at his best when playing for Millwall IMO anyway). Kelly as good as Finnan? Can someone explain to this man about the game we support? That argument alone should show to everyone how ill-informed you really are. Terry Phelan brilliant? Good God.

So again what's your point? Do you have one? Have you ever watched a football match or even kicked a ball?

**Torn-Ado** · 04/09/2007, 5:20 PM

We'll lose them both.

By one in Slovakia and a hammering in Prague.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 04/09/2007, 5:25 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

As usual you're talking the same old rubbish. Just disagreeing without really knowing why. Connolly is a poor player and can't even get into the squad now (he was playing for Watford in league 1 when he first broke into the Ireland team in the timeframe mentioned) and Cascerino was way past his best after USA 94 playing in the second division in France (he was never brilliant even at his best when playing for Millwall IMO anyway). Kelly as good as Finnan? Can someone explain to this man about the game we support? That argument alone should show to everyone how ill-informed you really are. Terry Phelan brilliant? Good God.

So again what's your point? Do you have one? Have you ever watched a football match or even kicked a ball?

This bull from the boy who consistently can't even spell CascArino.

Connolly is a dick and Stan doesn't appear to like him ...but on the measure of merit that gets three of that five strikers in the squad he should be in there.

Now fold your uniform and away into your jim-jams.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 04/09/2007, 5:27 PM

Originally Posted by zenokelly

As far as I know, Colgan was only included because he was doing the goalkeeping coach duties as Alan Kelly has an injury.

But still, don't know how the FAI didn't get some non-playing member in to act as goalkeeping coach for a week and a half?

After the fact as far as I know. He'd named the four keepers in the squad, Alan Kelly only then pulled out and only then was Nick Colgan was told he'd be carrying the traffic cones.

**onephillyhughes** · 04/09/2007, 5:42 PM

Originally Posted by finnpark

I agree with the general sentiment on here. Ireland will be out by the end of the Slovakia match. Slovakia to win, easily.

Staunton Out! Delaney Out!

So much for supporting your country through thick and thin

If we lose either game then its game over, 4 points is the minimum. If it goes down to head to head with the Czechs we're going to need a 2-2 draw or a win in Prague.

Impossible to predict, but I think we have the upper hand on Slovakia, their home record is equally as bad as our away one, so who knows.

The Czechs aren't what they were, get at them, we should've beaten them with a makeshift side so its possible. God I wish i wasn't coming home after the Slovakia game

Have to say its saddening, yet unsurprising, to see some people will be happy for us to lose. Shame on you.

**The Legend** · 04/09/2007, 5:43 PM

Originally Posted by Torn-Ado

We'll lose them both.

By one in Slovakia and a hammering in Prague.

Jeez, i though I was a pessimist. If you're doing that reverse physcology thing, fair play to you.

Realistically we should hope for a win and a draw.

**Colbert Report** · 04/09/2007, 6:08 PM

This is for whatever gob****e thinks we're better now than we were thirteen years ago.

Here's the team I'd pick based on all the available players we've had since 1990, playing at their peak

-------------------------Given-----------------------
Finnan-----------McGrath---------Babb----------Irwin

Houghton-------Keane-----Townsend-------Sheridan----Duff

----------------------------Robbie Keane-------------------

That's only three players from our current squad who'd make it into the team (in my opinion). Duff is out injured and I personally think that his career is over so he doesn't count for today's players. You could even make the argument to move Denis Irwin to his natural right full back, put Staunton in at left back, and omit Finnan altogether. That'd leave you with only two players from today's squad, only one of which is an outfield players, Robbie Keane! When you're up against the likes of a 30 odd year old Aldridge and Scottish League superstar Tommy Coyne that's really not saying much is it?

Babb started for Liverpool every match, one of the top three clubs in the mid nineties, along with Man United and Villa. As much as I love him, Richard Dunne is currently mucking it with Manchester City and will never play for a top four club.

Face it, we don't have the players and that's why we'll be dead lucky to get more than one point from this road trip. Just look at who we'll be playing in central midfield for heaven's sake. We don't have a fit central midfielder that is an established starter for ANY Premiership side. I don't want to hear Stephen Ireland's name, that's laughable.

**Torn-Ado** · 04/09/2007, 6:20 PM

Originally Posted by The Legend

Jeez, i though I was a pessimist. If you're doing that reverse physcology thing, fair play to you.

Realistically we should hope for a win and a draw.

Realistically we should hope for that.

But we are brutal away from home and I'm not naive enough to believe that eveything is going to turn on its head over the next seven days.

Like the Irish teams we have seen over the last five or six years, they will sh!te their pants and come back home from the East without a point and out of the competeition. Thats my prediction anyways.

I hope I'm wrong.

**Irish_Praha** · 04/09/2007, 6:22 PM

I reckon it will be 3 or 4 points. A narrow win against Slovakia and a draw or a loss against the Czechs. It's just unthinkable that we could get 6 points. If we do lose against the Czechs I reckon it will only be by a goal or two and not a hammering. I can't see them being overly adventurous if they go 1-0 up. I reckon they will be happy to hold onto what they've got but might possibly nick a goal on the counter-attack if we are chasing the game. Actually I see a them going one nil up against the run of play mid way through the 1st half and then us coming out for the second half and throwing everything we have at them.
So my score predictions are:
1-0 in Slovakia
1-1 in CR

**Sligo Hornet** · 04/09/2007, 6:55 PM

Originally Posted by Torn-Ado

We'll lose them both.

By one in Slovakia and a hammering in Prague.

???..

.....can I have your tickets for Prague?.....seems a shame to waste them!

**TheJamaicanP.M.** · 04/09/2007, 7:01 PM

I think we'll win 1-0 in Bratislava and draw 0-0 in Prague. Four points would be a great return for us. Six points is unthinkable.

**Paddy Garcia** · 04/09/2007, 7:52 PM

Originally Posted by finnpark

Jason Gavin, Graham Gartland, Barry Ferguson, Colin Hawkins, Alan Bennet.

Hold on a minute, they r Irish....my mistake

true - enough said.

**Fergie's Son** · 04/09/2007, 8:12 PM

We'll lose both I think. We just do not travel well.

Anyone know what time the match is (GMT) on Saturday?

**Stuttgart88** · 04/09/2007, 9:04 PM

I think we're turning a corner and have grounds for optimism in general but I'd be more confident if Finnan was definitely playing. I'm not sure we can put out a good enough central midfield to compete and defensive cover seems a bit bare. Kelly and/or Foley may have to step up to the plate, and even Gibson may have to be thrown in at the deep end.

My optimism is clouding my judgment. My heart says we'll be right up for it and we'll get at least 3 points, but deep down I think we'll draw in Slovakia but will lose to the Czechs.

**co. down green** · 04/09/2007, 9:07 PM

Beat the Slovak's 2-0. Keane tap in from close range after keeper fails to clear Andy Reid's rasping 25 yard volley & McShane header from corner, late in the second half to seal the 3 points.

1-1 against the Czech's. Go in front with a controversial penalty award after Steven Hunt goes down on the edge of the box. Late Czech equaliser after a mix up between O'shea & Kilbane lets Rosick� in for an easy equaliser.

4 points, yes please.

**jjppc** · 04/09/2007, 9:15 PM

1-1 and er 1-1 isn't it always so ?

**Ordinary Fan** · 04/09/2007, 9:29 PM

Selection, attitude and Luck.

Selection may be in the lapp of the Gods due to injuries but Stan must be Brave in Midfield and give Reid 70 minutes to give ua a chance of winning.

The players must for get the past and believe they can win.

We also need a slice of Luck.

With these 3 we will win in Slovakia and at worst draw against the Czech's.

Other wise a draw and defeat