World Cup playoffs (1 Viewer)

[Franco]

I'm not at all optimistic. We'll have to defend like demons and hope to nick a set piece. We've been resolute in the campaign but most of the performances have been underwhelming. The second Italy game - probably our best showing - was effectively a dead rubber once Bulgaria had been tonked by Cyprus.

France have clearly underperformed too, but they have serious strength in depth (Govou, Gignac, Anelka, Toulalan, Diaby etc aren't even in Richie's France XI) and would have to string a calamitous couple of performances together to not get past us.

But it's football, so I'll hope for the best. C'mon Ireland.

 

[Cormcolash]

Fuck it, lets do them on pennos after two of the biggest puke fests in the history of football - fuck you Platini.

I'd actually fucking love for this to happen. It really would be one of the biggest fuck offs we could ever give FIFA!

 

[Franco]

The 2006 play-offs were seeded too so it's not unprecedented.

 

[Con]

The 2006 play-offs were seeded too so it's not unprecedented.

I don't think it would be that big an issue if the seeding was involved in every world cup playoff (obviously i'd think it's unfair on the smaller nations). If we knew from the outset what the rules were we could live with them. It's the fact that they waited to see if any of the big boys were in trouble before deciding to seed the playoffs a couple of weeks before the end of the groups. That makes me

 

[old]

“They are very solid, very physical, but we also have these qualities. They are the England Bs.”

 

[Con]

“They are very solid, very physical, but we also have these qualities. They are the England Bs.”

Prick.
Im kind of glad we're playing the French. Ya never know what teams gonna turn up playing them really. I'd love if we put them out. It would really get up Platinis nose too. Fuck Domenech anyway. Absolute bollox. When France went out of the last european championships he didn't make any apologies or give any reasons why they were so poor. Instead he proposed to his wife in the press conference. That is SO french it makes me want to puke.

 

[Jerry Twig]

This is the same man who referred to Irish supporters in Lansdowne as 'like animals in a barn'.

 

[Richie]

Nice analysis from Brian Kerr who has obviously had to study them closely this campaign:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/1020/1224257057234.html

Their '2-2-6' formation should dovetail nicely with our 6-2-2..

 

[Unicron]

“They are very solid, very physical, but we also have these qualities. They are the England Bs.”

Is Trap the kind of person to pin newspaper cuttings on the dressing room wall? I doubt it. But that'd be perfect for it.

Or perhaps he could talk to RAI and throw in the phrase "Formaggio che mangia le scimmie di resa" (thanks babelfish).

 

[BonsaiSuperstar]

They should put the scoreboard in Croker as: England B 0 France 0

 

[Unicron]

Nice analysis from Brian Kerr who has obviously had to study them closely this campaign:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/1020/1224257057234.html

Shit, Gourcouf in that side sounds a lot more worrying than Malouda/Nasri/Govou simply playing on the opposite wing to Ribery. These are definitely games for Hunt, put him on whatever side that Ribery plays on that night and Duffer on the other flank.

 

[Hector Grey]

if st ledger plays were fucked. why, if finnan was fit, would you play him at left back? didn't you see any of the games under stan? you people "i know, ill take a player who was one of the best right backs in the premiership for many years, and might still be able to do it, and play him out of position, so i can put a lower league snail with clogs on in the centre of my defence against some of the games fastest cunts."

and then slag trap? you tools.

 

[Unicron]

if st ledger plays were fucked. why, if finnan was fit, would you play him at left back?

Is anyone advocating that? If he came back into the side then play him at right back, drop Kilbane and switch O'Shea to the left where he's played extensively for United over the years.

 

[Jerry Twig]

Shit, Gourcouf in that side sounds a lot more worrying than Malouda/Nasri/Govou simply playing on the opposite wing to Ribery. These are definitely games for Hunt, put him on whatever side that Ribery plays on that night and Duffer on the other flank.

I reckon Lawrence will get the nod over both Hunt and McGeady.
Wouldn't he play Finnan on the right and O'Shea on the left? Anyway you mix it, it's pudding. But in dreamworld I'd bring back Carr, play Finnan on the left (c'mon Hector, even out of position he's better there than Kilbane) and O'Shea and Dunne in the middle.

 

[snakybus]

My prediction.

Ireland score an early goal in Croke Park. Trap battons down the hatches and they hold on but in their excitement, and as always, they lose this lead in the 89th minute but are praised for their heroic draw against an anxious French team. The French get lambasted in the French newspapers but in Paris slot in a neat goal in the 42nd minute that completely kills us off. And it will be McShane's fault.

 

[Con]

My prediction.

Ireland score an early goal in Croke Park. Trap battons down the hatches and they hold on but in their excitement, and as always, they lose this lead in the 89th minute but are praised for their heroic draw against an anxious French team. The French get lambasted in the French newspapers but in Paris slot in a neat goal in the 42nd minute that completely kills us off. And it will be McShane's fault.

No matter what happens its gonna be McShanes fault.

 

[Unicron]

Cahill for Ireland?

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...-for-England-s-Gary-Cahill-article194295.html

He'd have to start pronouncing his surname correctly for a start. Can't see it happening if he's just broken into the England squad.

 

[Hector Grey]

Cahill for Ireland?

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...-for-England-s-Gary-Cahill-article194295.html

He'd have to start pronouncing his surname correctly for a start. Can't see it happening if he's just broken into the England squad.

kevin nolan too, while were at it. he's unlikey to crack into the england squad now he's in division x playing constantpainfuljoke united.

anyway, keep kilbane, drop st ledger, put o'shea back in the middle.

 

[Richie]

Yeah, I meant O'Shea on the left and Finnan on the right - it's got to be worth considering, given the number of times Kilbane's been beaten by the simple diagonal ball, as much as I love the guy.

I have a horrible vision of this going to penalties after two 1-1 draws, though we'll be doing very well if we get that far.

 

[washingcattle]

“They are very solid, very physical, but we also have these qualities. They are the England Bs.”

That fucking idiot really knows how to fire up the opposition doesn't he?
It's definetly going to kick off at croker now. Hope Dunne breaks Anelkas jaw. Fuck the result now it's personal.

kevin nolan too, while were at it. he's unlikey to crack into the england squad now he's in division x playing constantpainfuljoke united.

Thought Nolan came out and said he was English, he'd never set foot in Ireland and would never play for us. Could be mixing him up with someone else, Billy Wright or Jonny Adair maybe.