It was an already eliminated Sweden though, Armenia forfeited their last 2 matches due to COVID.Originally Posted by geysir
Sweden were still in the hunt going into that last game as both Iceland and Sweden were awarded 3 nil victories against Armenia.
Thinking about it a bit more, pixiehead was correct about it being potentially a better opportunity for us to beat an already qualified Italy, in the context of a victory guaranteeing Ireland qualification as best 2nd place team.
That didn't dawn on me earlier, I had thought that bus had flown.
when you think about it.. had Kenny stayed with the 21's.. he'd probably have the current squad plus Bazunu, Collins, Omabomidele, Knight, Obesele, Parrot and Obafemi.. and be the big hero..
If Kenny had stayed we'd probably be going for our second tournament. Finishing second in the last campaign turned out to be good enough for automatic qualification as they scrapped the play offs because of Covid.
Losing to Iceland in Crawford's second game in charge saw them finish above us in qualification and finishing second. If the change in management and losing players didn't happen we'd probably have beaten Iceland and finished second.
You'll never beat the Icelanders.
Do we know are the playoffs seeded? Looks like we would need a point against Italy (and maybe even a score draw) to be one of the top 5 ranked second placed teams, which would make us a seeded team if the playoffs were seeded.
I'm not sure how much it matters at this level, but I'd prefer to avoid the likes of Denmark, who gave us a bit of a footballing lesson in a warm up game last year, if possible. Even if they did drop points tonight against a poor Scotland team.
The examiner suggested the Playoffs are seeded.
Currently 4th seeds. A draw would leave us very tight with Czechia for 2nd/3rd (0-0 with Italy they are ahead in goals scored, 1-1 we are ahead on away goals scored and any other draw after that we are ahead)
If we did draw 0-0,we could be also overtaken by Denmark and Croatia were Norway to top their group. That would leave is 5th seed.
So, in summation, let's beat Italy and if we must draw, make it a score draw.
Switzerland at the minute are looking pretty good for 1st as Denmark would have to win by 4 goals to catch them.
Ukraine look secure for 1st seeds as to Denmark provided they win.
Ireland with a point should get 1st seeds, already ahead of Israel & Iceland/Greece and will over take Slovakia and Czech Republic (we scored more away goals so we will beat them if we are leve).
Norway or Croatia will have 16 points also and either one should be seeded.
Any draw is enough to finish in the top 5, ahead of Slovakia.
Israel, Greece/Iceland, Czech & Slovakia will be below us if we draw.
However should Ireland be seeded, that will not be of any advantage should Ireland draw Iceland who have a 50/50 chance of making the play offs. There are no easier paths to the Finals, only slightly less difficult paths.
Looks like it’s home and away fixtures? Seedings not as significant so. Let’s get the win in Italy so that this discussion will be a moot point…
There is no such thing as an easy path at this stage, but some paths are easier than others!However should Ireland be seeded, that will not be of any advantage should Ireland draw Iceland who have a 50/50 chance of making the play offs
Czechs would be ahead of us on goals scored if we drew 0-0.
Oh yes I forgot about that, yeah a score draw puts us ahead of the Czech’s.
I'd like to see Ferguson start up front. It'll be a real test of where these players are at. Qualifying would be nice but it looks like a few of these players are capable of stepping up which is the important thing.
I think most of those players would have stepped up by now, regardless of who the manager of the senior team was.
Out for a spell, got neglected, lay on the bench unselected.
I've had others on here disagree with me but I do believe that if any of our previous 3 managers were in charge Randolph would be still in goals because he never let us down and experience is important in goals. I also think that we'd have Hogan or James Collins up front. I don't think young players from L1 would get picked. O'Neill wouldn't even bring Grealish on US tour after a good loan spell in lower divisions
O'Neill gave Obafemi his debut in fairness. McCarthy gave Connolly his debut. I can't see how either would have ignored all four options (if you include Max O'Leary) at this stage. Randolph may still be in the squad, but I don't think it's reasonable to say he'd still be starting.
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