Cyprus vs. Republic of Ireland - 05/09/09 [mod warning post #293]

Tyranax wrote: »

If we do make it to second place, some of the teams we could get are scary. France, Croatia, Sweden, Portugal, Russia, they could all be drawn. I wouldn't fancy us to get any result home or away against any of them better than a draw. At home. Maybe a win against Sweden.

I think all those sides would beat us, we were lucky to avoid most of them in the first place.

Tyranax wrote: »

If Scotland make it to second, they look like they will be the side that will end up as the worst second placed team. They need to win against Holland I think, and even then I'm not sure would they make it. Northern Ireland would be interesting. And tense. On and off the pitch. Bosnia are a decent side, and have a very dangerous striker in Dzeko. I'd fancy our chances more against them than the teams that I mentioned previous, but still.


Can we not get someone like Iran again? I'm tired of getting competent European sides like Belgium and Turkey. Give us poor travellers! Please! We just want to go to a World Cup!

Chances are though that NI won't end up 2nd place in their group either, they are 3pts ahead of Poland and Slovenia, both with games in hand. It'll be a very tight finish in that group, which will probably give the easiest of any potential playoff opponents.

That Iran playoff was a gift for 2002 in fairness!!

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Was just looking at Group 4. Germany lead it but Russia are just a point behind and there is a home game for Russia against Germany to come. Can you imagine the Germans in the play-offs? Yikes.

... and then we do the unthinkable and beat Italy, Ital v German in the playoffs!

Or Italy v France in a rematch of last WC Final...

I think it can be taken for granted now that Ireland will finish, probably being beaten or drawing with Italy and beating Montenegro in the final game. Northern Ireland would be the best choice for opposition in the playoff. A lot of potentially very dangerous teams in the play offs but I would still fancy us beating anyone over 2 legs.

Het-Field wrote: »

You can piss and moan about a poor performance, but the crucial thing was the three points. Remember, its just three short years since we were pasted there, and four years since Brian Kerr got a huge slice of luck to see us through there.

The win keeps Ireland in contention. However, like Bulgaria, the goal difference will need to be improved. I think Bulgaria now have two goals on us, and that needs to be redressed.

Hopefully Stephan Reid will be back, along with Steve Finnan, and perhaps Andy Reid. Creativity will be necessary.

Fingers crossed. Only two games to go, and we are still very much in contention !

I know we got the three points but it was the manner in which we managed to win scrape a victory which is very disheartening.

We need creative players and we don't have any at the moment and we've ridden our luck throughout this campaign. There's not one game I can say that we gave our all in because there's none that springs to mind.

We start games fairly well but we can't build on anything. We were toothless tonight and hopeful long balls up the pitch won't always work.

We have to perform against Italy at home and I don't think at this moment in time that our players are good enough. We need Reid and Ireland in our midfield because Andrews and (the name eludes me) have no presence or creativity in the centre of midfield. Serious work needs to be done.

I'm happy of the three points but the way we played was absoulute shoite.

why are we still going on about Ireland?? :mad::mad: He doesn't deserve to put on the green shirt! What we DO need is players that give it there all to the Irish team and the current batch of players that we have do, even though they mightn't be as creative, at least they take pride in wearing the colours of their country! All Ireland cares about is his pay check every week and his kick boxing, so let the little shiote go! We don't need someone like that on our team!Hopefully Andy and Steven Reid will play in our last 2 competitive games. We really need those to back in the team especially Steven...such a great midfield player. Lovely passer of the ball.

Why...why would you want him back after what he said last weekend? He doesn't want to play so leave him be! I fhe thinks his kick boxing is more important than playing for his country then so be it. He doesn't care! He's an after thought in my mind. We should be concentrating on the players who do want to play!

He's not on the team though...HE DOESN'T WANT TO PLAY! He isn't interested in playing for Ireland and at an international level. So why we keep going on about him is pointless! Keane and Given arn't the only decent players on the squad. Duffer played really well in the Cyprus game. Newcastle was completely the wrong move for him. Looks like he's getting back to his old usual self, annoying the heck out of defenders and whipping in them great crosses! Then we have Dunne and O'Shea in defense. And Kevin Doyle is going to become a great player. And Kilbane may not be the best player but you can never argue with his work ethic! And that goes for the whole team. Our real problem is in midfield. Once we get that corrected I think our game will flow that much better.

We have Steven Reid coming back. Hopefully he will be fit when the time comes to playing Italy. And hopefully Trap will see that Andy has gotten a lot fitter and is playing really well. The point I am trying to make is that these players are available for selection...Ireland isn't.

Lads, before we end up doing this...



The Stephen Ireland thread is this way.

He's not coming back any time soon, so discussing his absence on this match thread makes as much sense as wishing Paul McGrath and Roy Keane would come out of retirement.

vincenzo1975 wrote: »

Which one would make way for stephen reid? I reckon it would be andrws, at least Whelan seems to get a decent shot or two in each game.

Trap started the campaign with Whelan and Reid, and given his tendancy not to tinker with the starting line up id guess he'd stick with him. Saying that neither of them has actually put in a decent performance yesterday to stake a claim for the other centre mid spot. Will be interesting to see who Trap lines out on Tuesday against SA in midfield.