ireland will qualify for euro 2012

devotional1993

I really think its going to happen this time. Gut reaction or whatever but im planning my trip. Just feel its building up.....

DyldeBrill

I dunno we have a brutal team! and a manager thats too defensive

GLaDOS

I admire your optimism

James__10

DyldeBrill wrote: »

I dunno we have a brutal team! and a manager thats too defensive

Yeah brutal teams normally do be in with a great shout of qualification of major tournaments heading into the last few games and have kept clean sheets in their last 4games?

Good man:rolleyes:

dsmythy

James__10 wrote: »

Yeah brutal teams normally do be in with a great shout of qualification of major tournaments heading into the last few games and have kept clean sheets in their last 4games?

Good man:rolleyes:

Maybe he was being a bit harsh. We have a defensive and very average side.

Paully D

I hope you're right, but I have a strong feeling we'll lose a play-off.

Kidchameleon

devotional1993 wrote: »

I really think its going to happen this time. Gut reaction or whatever but im planning my trip. Just feel its building up.....

That's complete bull**** OP, were gonna win it!

3hn2givr7mx1sc

DyldeBrill wrote: »

I dunno we have a brutal team! and a manager thats too defensive

I think we could have quite a good team if Trap decided to stop acting the shíte and pick the right players.

G.K.

You guys be happy you still have a realistic chance...

devotional1993

baz2009 wrote: »

DyldeBrill wrote: »

I dunno we have a brutal team! and a manager thats too defensive

I think we could have quite a good team if Trap decided to stop acting the shíte and pick the right players.

Id love it maybe just to shut the begrudgers up. Its not like we have a united ireland team either like our rugby friends. Also we play against a much bigger pool of countries but I think given dunne st ledger duff mcgeady doyle long keane hunt o shea is more than a brutal collection of players. Sure we wont win it but i reckon the group is there for the win. Forget the play offs this time.

dsmythy

devotional1993 wrote: »

Id love it maybe just to shut the begrudgers up. Its not like we have a united ireland team either like our rugby friends. Also we play against a much bigger pool of countries but I think given dunne st ledger duff mcgeady doyle long keane hunt o shea is more than a brutal collection of players. Sure we wont win it but i reckon the group is there for the win. Forget the play offs this time.

That would involve winning a game against the two bigger seeds in our qualifying group other than us. I don't think we've managed that in 10 years. In fact the 10th anniversary is the 1st of September. Have to do it against Slovakia.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

I'm sure we'll beat Slovakia, if we don't I'll be disgusted. I've watched them carefully throughout the campaign and they're considerably worse than us.

Then we must treat the Russia game like a cup final. Reawaken the spirit of Paris and play with the shackles off. Win and we can virtually book our plane tickets.

JerryHandbag

Play offs I think. Unseeded probably, so its gonna be a tough one. Have a feeling we'll bow out at that stage.

All in all at least its a lot more promising than the last shambles of a Euro campaign.

DundalkDuffman

Slovakia is the cup final.

Het-Field

The ROI need to qualify for the Euros. Interest in International Football has been in steady decline since Brian Kerr left the job, and Staunton took over. Qualification will provide a huge incentive for people to return to international football, and that will benefit all parties concerned.

Further, if we lose out hear it will mean that come the WC 2014, we will have attended just one major tournament in 20 years. Public confidence in our ability to qualify will erode further, and deter fans from attending, or supporting international matches.

flahavaj

dsmythy wrote: »

We have a defensive and very average side.

Such teams often qualify for major finals.

J. Marston

Het-Field wrote: »

The ROI need to qualify for the Euros. Interest in International Football has been in steady decline since Brian Kerr left the job, and Staunton took over. Qualification will provide a huge incentive for people to return to international football, and that will benefit all parties concerned.

Further, if we lose out hear it will mean that come the WC 2014, we will have attended just one major tournament in 20 years. Public confidence in our ability to qualify will erode further, and deter fans from attending, or supporting international matches.

2002?

amacachi

J. Marston wrote: »

2002?

Yes.

Mr. Denton

Hope you're right OP. I genuinely can't call it. I'm not even confident we'll beat Slovakia next month but overall I wouldn't say we're not going to go all the way this time. I really don't think we can win the group at this point so it's all a matter of who we get in the play-offs should we achieve 2nd place.

That said I feel sorry for the neutral fan watching us in the finals tho. If they thought we ruined the party in 88 90 and 94 with our tactics then they haven't seen anything yet. :pac:

rossie1977

its our year

Mr. Denton

sugarman wrote: »

We're gonna top the group, you seen it first here.

Ireland 23pts
Slovakia 21pt
Russia 20pts


We'll beat Draw with Russia & beat the others, Slovakia will beat Russia at home.

C'MON IRELAND!

I'd love to see us win in Russia and despite getting massacred in Dublin I still think we can even do it because of how we play. I actually enjoy watching us play away and think we are a match for anyone under those circumstances. It's only the home games that are generally awful.

Russia away is generally regarded as one of the toughest fixtures in World Football and imho would be the greatest win in Irish soccer history if we could manage it.

Father Damo

Het-Field wrote: »

The ROI need to qualify for the Euros. Interest in International Football has been in steady decline since Brian Kerr left the job, and Staunton took over. Qualification will provide a huge incentive for people to return to international football, and that will benefit all parties concerned.

In truth we were in the top 10 countries for WC qualifier attendance last time. And when you break it down in terms of population, as a country we had pretty much the highest per head of population attendance of any country in that top 10. Saying that though you would worry that if we go beyond 10 years without a tournament interest will start to dip. As for prospects the last 10 years of watching Ireland being nearly men (with the exception of the Stan days when we were nowhere men) means I wont be confident of qualification even if we are 3-0 up on 80 mins in our last game. Ive just been disappointed too many times.

We have a very average group of players who as a country we think should be competing at the top table. Trap though at times strange in his choices of players has made us tough to beat while not good to watch. With the players at this disposal he is doing a very good job. We should beat slovakia and then the moscow game is huge. Playoff looks best option and then knowing the powers to be we will get a tough draw. Fingers crossed now just have to book that trip to Barcelona now for the Andorra game.

Crazy Horse 6

DyldeBrill wrote: »

I dunno we have a brutal team! and a manager thats too defensive

Wow you should work for an Irish red top with writing like that.

bohsfan

I'm glad it's not just me OP but I can feel it too! I think there is a momentum gathering now around the team that just wasn't there around the time we lost to Russia. We have a core group of players who are now well used to each other and the system. And they have been complimented by an injection of some young blood.

I really believe we can beat Slovakia, then the Russia game will decide whether we are going to be aiming for straight qualification or play-offs. It's our time in the play-offs though if that's where we end up. Come on!

devotional1993

has Killer Kilbane a world record of competitive matches?

Ulysses Gaze

flahavaj wrote: »

Such teams often qualify for major finals.

And some teams have won major tournaments with that combination.

Greece in 2004.

Mr. Denton

Ulysses Gaze wrote: »

And some teams have won major tournaments with that combination.

Greece in 2004.

It'd be nice to win Euro 2012 alright. We could laud it over England forever too cos let's face it they're never going to win anything. :pac:

Kidchameleon

Mr. Denton wrote: »

It'd be nice to win Euro 2012 alright. We could laud it over England forever too cos let's face it they're never going to win anything. :pac:

Oh Christ, they would never forget it!

devotional1993

I

sugarman wrote: »

devotional1993 wrote: »

has Killer Kilbane a world record of competitive matches?

I believe so, & like all good things. It looks like its going to be the well over due end.

From the indo:

WITH three simple words, Giovanni Trapattoni has indicated that he is ready to bring an end to Kevin Kilbane's remarkable 12-year run of consecutive competitive appearances for Ireland.

"Life goes on," said the Italian, who confirmed that he is mulling over the prospect of throwing in Stephen Ward or relocating John O'Shea to left-back for next month's crunch ties with Slovakia and Russia.

Veteran Kilbane, who has started the last 66 meaningful Irish games in a run stretching back to 1999, has been named in the provisional squad and is still not out of the reckoning.

However, Trapattoni appears to be gearing up for a change, comparing Ward's emergence to that of Sean St Ledger at this juncture two years ago. He praised the contribution of the Wolves man in Wednesday's scoreless draw with Croatia.

"Every season, we have changed when it's possible to change," said the 72-year-old.

"Ward played well, and maybe we need to see him two or three more times with his club in the next 20 days before I decide yes or no.

"I must pay attention because it's a qualifier. I hope in this position we can also have O'Shea, for example. Maybe O'Shea plays left, and Stephen Kelly or Paul McShane on the right. But I think Ward can be ready."

And what of Kilbane? When asked why the 34-year-old's name hadn't cropped up in the discussion of full-back permutations, Trapattoni made an ominous statement by mentioning the Derby loan acquisition in the same sentence as the long-exiled Lee Carsley.

"I can't answer on Kilbane or we speak again about Carsley," said the Italian. "I said to Kevin, before the Croatia game, that I will follow him always but for this week we wanted to look at others.

"I also have an idea about Marc Wilson at left-back. I have seen him there many times for his club, and he plays well."

That club is Stoke, whose manager Tony Pulis was critical of Trapattoni for making Wilson and Jonathan Walters report to have injuries assessed before they were cleared to miss the Croatian exercise.

Trapattoni brought in the policy after the controversial absences of several players at the end-of-season gathering. He revealed that Wilson explained his lack of communication then by claiming that his phone was switched off. Regardless of that, he brushed off the comments from Pulis, stressing that the FAI are within their rights to ask players to come in.

"We are correct professionally," he said. "These are important FIFA and UEFA rules. When the country calls the players, they must go with their country. But it's not like they belong to the club. They are paid by the clubs, but they are not their property.

"The players wanted to come in. Wilson said he was sorry for what happened the last time."

Trapattoni will cut his 32-man squad down in size closer to the Slovakian encounter, and is hoping that he will have a decision to make rather than injuries making the choice for him.

Kevin Doyle is the major worry, with niggling concerns about Aiden McGeady and Keith Andrews. They will need to prove their fitness in the next three weeks, although McGeady is another fortnight away from a return.

I was at the match and felt ward played poorly going forward, seemed to lose the ball a lot and a lot of bad passing too, yet the papers gave him a great review.

Kirby

People are forgetting that the best 2nd place team qualifies automatically and doesn't have to go through the play-off's.

Currently we stand a good chance of being the best runner up. Sweden seem to be our main competition at the moment as they are doing well in their group aswell.

It would help alot because this "playoff seeding" scam Uefa is intent on will likely screw us over again.

ArmaniJeanss

Kirby wrote: »

People are forgetting that the best 2nd place team qualifies automatically and doesn't have to go through the play-off's.

Currently we stand a good chance of being the best runner up. Sweden seem to be our main competition at the moment as they are doing well in their group aswell.

We have close to zero chance of being best runner up. We've currently dropped 5 points - If we drop no more we obviously win the group, and if we finish runner up we'll have dropped either 7,8 or 9. Currently Sweden have dropped just 3 and have a soft group, and are likely to drop just 6 imo.
Forget the best runner up spot.

hatz7

devotional1993 wrote: »

I really think its going to happen this time. Gut reaction or whatever but im planning my trip. Just feel its building up.....

Ireland can win Euro 2012, In Trap we trust!

KombuchaMshroom

Kirby wrote: »

People are forgetting that the best 2nd place team qualifies automatically and doesn't have to go through the play-off's.

Currently we stand a good chance of being the best runner up. Sweden seem to be our main competition at the moment as they are doing well in their group aswell.

It would help alot because this "playoff seeding" scam Uefa is intent on will likely screw us over again.

That shouldn't be the priority at the moment. Top spot is still well in our own hands.

We have 2 massive games coming up start of September, home to Slovakia and away to Russia. 4 points from them 2 games would leave us favourites to top the group i would imagine, with Russia having to go to Slovakia after those 2 games.

And even if we do have to go through the playoffs id still be confident of our chances. Belgium, Belarus, Montenegro, Denmark and Slovenia are all currently 2nd place, not 1 of them we couldn't take on our day.
Czechs, Sweden and Croatia the other 3 2nd place team and even they would still be manageable.

Think i'm with the op in planning my trip soon..

Kirby

Russia are quality though. I was at the game at Landsdowne and their movement off the ball gave us a lot of problems then and it will do again. I know we nearly snatched a draw but at 3-0 we were dead and buried and they fell asleep.

I just can't see us coping with Russia away. Beating slovakia is the big one as we should've beaten them last time out.

Also, we won't be getting cushy ties like Belarus, Montenegro or slovenia. They ludicrously seed playoffs. We will be getting a much tougher team.

KombuchaMshroom

Kirby wrote: »

Russia are quality though. I was at the game at Landsdowne and their movement off the ball gave us a lot of problems then and it will do again. I know we nearly snatched a draw but at 3-0 we were dead and buried and they fell asleep.

I just can't see us coping with Russia away. Beating slovakia is the big one as we should've beaten them last time out.

Also, we won't be getting cushy ties like Belarus, Montenegro or slovenia. They ludicrously seed playoffs. We will be getting a much tougher team.

Beating Russia would be a very tough task, but no reason we couldn't hold them to a draw.

Then we just need a small bit of luck and hope Slovakia take something from them, home game for Slovakia too so again there is a decent chance.

tolosenc

In the last 6 months, the team really seems to have started believing in Trap's philosophy. Write them off at your peril, but a Slovakia side that managed only 2 1-0 wins over Andorra are going to have an immense task scoring in Dublin.

People give out about Trap, but the thing is, he gets results. And he does pick the right players, the right ones for his system.

We should beat Slovakia, anything else is a massive disappointment. I see us drawing with Russia, but if we could snatch an early goal, we seem to have the defensive wherewithall theese days to hang on to it.

We should finish on 23 points, but I fear Russia will too. 17 points excluding Andorra/Macedonia isn't enough for best runner up. Some strange teams in second places in other groups, coupled with a 10 points from 4 games performance could well see us seeded for the playoffs, which would be handy.

LondonIrish90

Mr. Denton wrote: »

It'd be nice to win Euro 2012 alright. We could laud it over England forever too cos let's face it they're never going to win anything. :pac:

Shouldn't you laud it over a rival nation instead? You aren't our rivals. :cool:

How can you ever moan when England go on about winning the world cup when you are already preparing the whole going on procedure about a hypothetical win of a tournament you are yet to qualify for?

Anyway, Russia away is probably one of the most uncomfortable games for any team to go to, but as has already been said it is organisation and work ethic that count for more than anything else when it comes to reaching and progressing in tournaments and you have these in good measures, so who knows what is possible.

Kirby

LondonIrish90 wrote: »

Shouldn't you laud it over a rival nation instead? You aren't our rivals. :cool:

Your rivals are your peers. Italy, Spain, Germany, Brazil. Because they are winners and win things, they are rivals.

If England aren't our rivals, they certainly don't belong in the company listed above. See, you have to actually win things to be called a rival to the worlds elite. You belong in the company of us and Andorra. None of us win f-all.

LondonIrish90 wrote: »

How can you ever moan when England go on about winning the world cup when you are already preparing the whole going on procedure about a hypothetical win of a tournament you are yet to qualify for?

Very true. Why, your comment reminds of an England game I watched at Euro 2008. It was the group stages and England were playing..........um.......

Oh......thats right. Sorry bout that old chap.

oconnon9

From looking at the potential playoff opponents rankings; Ireland will be seeded for the draw

Kidchameleon

oconnon9 wrote: »

From looking at the potential playoff opponents rankings; Ireland will be seeded for the draw

I don't think seeding is that much of an issue in a play off with so much at stake, all teams are dangerous. Look at Russia and Slovenia playoff for WC2010. Russia 12th, Slovenia 49th..

oconnon9

Kidchameleon wrote: »

I don't think seeding is that much of an issue in a play off with so much at stake, all teams are dangerous. Look at Russia and Slovenia playoff for WC2010. Russia 12th, Slovenia 49th..

Well the way i see the playoffs lining up is;

Seeded
Greece (8)
Denmark/Portugal (13/10)
Czech Republic (14)
Ireland (15)

Unseeded
Turkey (18)
Slovenia (21)
Bosnia-Herzegovina (23)
Montenegro (25)

This is according to http://www.world-results.net/uefa/ranking.html#2011

It's the most up to date ranking and thank god UEFA use it instead of the FIFA world rankings otherwise we wouldn't have a hope of being seeded.

Personally I think Turkey will perform well enough to jump up into the seeded places and I can see the Czechs dropping down.

To go back to your point - obviously all teams are dangerous, but you stand a much better chance of qualifying if your seeded in the playoffs.

Kidchameleon

oconnon9 wrote: »

To go back to your point - obviously all teams are dangerous, but you stand a much better chance of qualifying if your seeded in the playoffs.

Agreed. Christ I wouldn't fancy Turkey!

LondonIrish90

Kirby wrote: »

Your rivals are your peers. Italy, Spain, Germany, Brazil. Because they are winners and win things, they are rivals.

If England aren't our rivals, they certainly don't belong in the company listed above. See, you have to actually win things to be called a rival to the worlds elite. You belong in the company of us and Andorra. None of us win f-all.



Very true. Why, your comment reminds of an England game I watched at Euro 2008. It was the group stages and England were playing..........um.......

Oh......thats right. Sorry bout that old chap.

I believe the lad who mentioned it was referring to a percieved emotional rivalry of sorts, seeing as he mentioned only England as those who he believed would never be let to forget an Irish victory. If he had been alluding to a simply competitiive rivalry, then it would have been more fitting to reel off the names of every other nation you believe as a fan base "win f-all".

When talking of an emotional international rivalry, I would suggest that there needs to be a certain degree of mutual contempt. I wouldn't suggest that there is much of a feeling of dislike among England fans for Ireland. I'd suggest Scotland, and at a push Argentina would be classed as England's rivals. You will find more English people than not would probably support Ireland than their opposition in any tournament.

I fail to see your point about Euro 2008 however, it appears to a completely irrelevant response to the point you highlighted :pac:

Yours, resident of England, one of nations in the elite band with a gold star situated proudly above the badge

dsmythy

LondonIrish90 wrote: »

Shouldn't you laud it over a rival nation instead? You aren't our rivals. :cool:

Reminds me of how the Germans are more interested in getting one over the Dutch rather than the English

stiffler123

I think we will qualify too, I have from the beginning. Trapattoni has done great things with an average bunch of lads. His selection policy annoys me at times but I think he picks the best team rather than the best 11. If Robbie Keane stays fit and and healthy, I think we'll be fine. We should beat Slovakia- we should of beaten them last time and from what I've seen of them they are a pretty poor side. I think it all comes down to the Russia match. Trap will get us to at least a play off imo.

Mr. Denton

LondonIrish90 wrote: »

Yours, resident of England, one of nations in the elite band with a gold star situated proudly above the badge

A star that loses a bit of its luster whenever the question "how long ago exactly did you earn it?" or "what country was it earned in?" or "when is a second one going to be added?" is asked etc etc. :pac:

tolosenc

LondonIrish90 wrote: »

one of nations in the elite band with a gold star situated proudly above the badge

Isn't it white? Y'know, camouflaged, to hide the embarassment of having acheived nothing since...

x in the city

ScienceNerd wrote: »

I admire your optimism

but he speaks the truth...

play offs at best..

ie: no qualification

Cill Dara Abu

I think we will qualify for the Euros, a draw with Russia would be an excellent result,I think we will win the rest of our matches and finish top, Russia are no world beaters, they beat us 3-2 in the Aviva with us playing awful on the night yet we still had them on the rack in the closing stages, we were completely over ran in mid-field, I can't see Trap letting that happen again.

JerryHandbag

Well whatever happens we are a shoe in for Euro 2016 with top 2 qualifying and 3rd place into the playoffs. Surely we cant **** that up :pac: