How we can beat the Czechs

[Noelys Guitar]

The end of Stan's interview tonight on Sky was hardly inspiring. "A draw isn't the end of the world. We then have 2 home games". Christ!

[geysir]

He said the worst scenario is a draw, but a draw isn´t the end of the world.

Just prolongs your misery.

[on_me_head_son]

I have to say that its quite depressing reading some of the threads on this forum since Saturday's game. The prevailing mood is in stark contrast to that which followed the Denmark game. I just think we need a more balanced perspective after games.

Firstly, it is important to remember that we did not lose the game on Saturday night. We got a score draw against a mediocre side. We were unlucky to concede a last minute goal. If we had held out for the win, I suspect that the mood on this forum would be much different.

Sure, Staunton's selection and choice of substitutes was poor. However, we're still in with a chance of qualifying. If we beat the Czechs on Wednesday night, we'll be in a strong position to make it to the finals.

Despite his impressive goal scoring record, I think it may be a blessing in disguise that Stephen Ireland will be missing. I don't think he gets involved in the game enough and I think that we tend to get over-run when he plays in the centre of a four-man midfield. The last 15 minutes of the first half on Saturday night was similar to the game in Cyprus last October when the opposition swarmed all over us.

Like most fans on this forum, I believe that Andy Reid and Stephen Hunt should come into the team for Wednesday night. Reid was the best player on the park against Denmark. He has the ability to take the ball from the back four and importantly can keep posession of it. He's the only Irish player who I believe is capable of controlling the tempo in midfield. On the other hand, Hunt offers enthusiasm and a direct style of play that could invigorate the team. Both players could freshen things up in what looked like a sterile midfield on Saturday night.

As for all the criticism that Robbie Keane is getting, I thought he played well against the Slovaks, particularly in light of the poor service both himself and Doyle received from the Irish midfield. I'm hoping that Dunne and Doyle pass their fitness tests or we're in big trouble. I have selected my team below. Due to the current lack of alternatives in the full-back positions, O'Shea and Kelly remain in the team, but in their more natural positions.

1. Given

2. Kelly 4. Dunne 5. McShane 3. O'Shea

7. McGeady 6. Carsley 8. Reid 11. Hunt

9. Doyle 10. Keane


Despite some frailties in the above line-up, I still think we are good enough to sneak a win against this Czech team. Without Koller and possibly Baros, they are a different proposition. Rosicky is a quality player, but Carsley is usually at his best when he gets the opportunity to kick lumps out of a player that is employed behind the front men. Indeed, Carsley made his name at Derby following a very physical display at Highbury against Rosicky's predecessor at Arsenal, Dennis Bergkamp. Although older now, Carsley is still capable of a similarly robust performance. Leave the playmaking to Andy Reid.

This team has performed at its best when it has suffered a lot of criticism. Remember the performance against the Czechs 4 days after the nightmare in Cyprus. Not many people gave us a chance in Lansdowne that night. Remember the performance against Slovakia 4 days after the lacklustre performance against Wales in Croker. On both occasions we followed up poor performances with displays that were high on tempo and full of commitment. I believe we will do the same again on Wednesday night and it may be that a weakened Czech side will be unsure of itself, particularly with the knowledge that a draw should be enough.

Ireland have a more potent strikeforce and unlike the Czechs, we have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Great post!
I totally agree. There's no doubt the team will be up for this one and they have every chance of getting a result.

Still not sure if McGeady should be starting though. His confidence can't be very high after the last game.

[tricky_colour]

We might beat them if they get docked 3 points for playing an illegible player.

.......and then we recieve the same penalty

[macdermesser]

The end of Stan's interview tonight on Sky was hardly inspiring. "A draw isn't the end of the world. We then have 2 home games". Christ!

omg ... is he relying then on Cyprus or Slovakia doing us a favour? We have to win.

The worst case scenario is that we would need a 2-2 draw to better them on the head-to-head .. but after Saturday that chance is gone. Has to be a win.

[shanman2]

We might beat them if they field six players.

1 Petr Čech
21 Tomáš Ujfaluši
22 David Rozehnal
5 Radoslav Kováč
6 Marek Jankulovski
4 Tomáš Galásek
Tomáš Sivok
10 Tomáš Rosický
14 David Jarolím
18 Marek Kulic
David Lafata

I think thats the team they will play with 4 across the middle and Rosicky maybe even Galasek pushing on. Lafata has score 2 in 2 so maybe he will get the nod. Either way we face a massive task trying to get the points. Only thing we can do especially with stans tactical side of the game sadly lacking is to go at them.

[OwlsFan]

Let the rallying call be "Remember 1967" (see last game in the series). Such mighty players as Eoin Hand and Ray Tracy were the men on the night. 40th anniversary?


QUALIFYING
European Championships 1960-2008
Final Tournament
Qualifying Groups | Quarter Finals | Statistics

Group 1

23/10/1966 Ireland 0 - 0 Spain (0-0)
16/11/1966 Ireland 2 - 1 Turkey (0-0)
07/12/1966 Spain 2 - 0 Ireland (2-0)
01/02/1967 Turkey 0 - 0 Spain (0-0)
22/02/1967 Turkey 2 - 1 Ireland (2-0)
21/05/1967 Ireland 0 - 2 Czechoslovakia (1-0)
31/05/1967 Spain 2 - 0 Turkey (0-0)
18/06/1967 Czechoslovakia 3 - 0 Turkey (1-0)
01/10/1967 Czechoslovakia 1 - 0 Spain (0-0)
22/10/1967 Spain 2 - 1 Czechoslovakia (1-0)
15/11/1967 Turkey 0 - 0 Czechoslovakia (0-0)
22/11/1967 Czechoslovakia 1 - 2 Ireland (0-0)

Team P W D L GF GA GDIF PTS %
1 SPAIN 6 3 2 1 6 2 +4 8 66.7
2 Czechoslovakia 6 3 1 2 8 4 +4 7 58.3
3 Ireland 6 2 1 3 5 8 -3 5 41.7
4 Turkey 6 1 2 3 3 8 -5 4 33.3

On looking up Wikipedia, I note I was wrong about Hand scoring. It was that great Dundalk man Turlough O'COnnor and Ray Tracy (Dempsey OG for them).
November 22, 1967

Czechoslovakia 1–2
Republic of Ireland Slavia Stadium, Prague, Czechoslovakia
Euro 1968 Qualifier
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Vetter (East Germany)
Dempsey 57' (og) Treacy 65'
Turlough O'Connor 86'


WHo'll be our Turlough on Wednesday?

[youngirish]

The end of Stan's interview tonight on Sky was hardly inspiring. "A draw isn't the end of the world. We then have 2 home games". Christ!

The man really is an idiot. He claimed we needed a win in his interview after the game on saturday. How did he come to the conclusion since then that we only need a draw?

[Morbo]

@Craig
BS, if you believe the reason he didn't play Hunt or Reid is because he was resting them for wednesday then you're an idiot.
He didn't even bring on Hunt as a sub, are you telling me 20 or 30 minutes would of knackered him out for Wednesday? Pleeaassee, thats a very weak attept to explain Stans selection.
Also the tactics didn't almost work, we didn't deserve to win, we were lucky to even get a draw, we had 6 attepts on goal to their 11 and we surely would have lost if it wasn't for our best player who was the one player you critizied, Dunne

[Hibs4Ever]

O'Shea & McGeady have to be dropped for Czech game


Hunt & Reid to start, and Finnan if available

[soccerc]

So Reid gets to start against the Czechs instead of Ireland

It's the only change the stubborn Staunton has made. Defies belief

[Hibs4Ever]

So Reid gets to start against the Czechs instead of Ireland

It's the only change the stubborn Staunton has made. Defies belief

Just heard that, Hunt should be in instead of McGeady for sure. I take it Finnan ain't fit either

[geysir]

McGeady just has to play better then.
There comes a time when the managers best 11 from what is available are picked.
Stan has faith in McGeady, I hope he does himself justice.
Hunt can come on a sub.

[youngirish]

I'm feeling confident of a win now lads that muppet Lawro predicted we'd be beaten 2-0 so a win is as likely as ever considering he is the world's worst pundit.

[bwagner]

lawro is a uncle Tom so dont mind him.
Lads i would watch hours of gay porn if we win hell id have gay sex for a win over there thats just how damn desprete i am for a win.

[Stuttgart88]

hey, that's it, that's the way to motivate o'shea.

[geysir]

BWagner, I would go even furthur than that, I would watch a 24 hour loop of our 100 greatest football disasters.

[Ozymandias]

hey, that's it, that's the way to motivate o'shea.

is the correct answer

[bwagner]

jesus Geysir back down mate ,dont do it lol
you ever see that movie clockwork orange were they tied the main guy down and force his eyes open to watch hours and hours and videos :O)

[shanman2]

is the correct answer

So its true what they say he is parking his car in the wrong garage...