We’re not Brasil we’re Tuaisceart Éireann

@Conormac77

Give the devil his due. That was a great win for them in a potential bananaskin and I think they're definite favourites for second place in that group.

gspain wrote: Norway were swatted away like a Germany or Spain would do to a side like that.  It was impressive in that it was so easy and comfortable.  Those wishing to draw them in the playoffs may need to be careful what they wish for.   Nice tribute to Ryan McBride.

I'd take Northern Ireland over Italy or Portugal.

Anyway I don't think any Ireland fan should be thinking of a play off at this stage with top spot up for grabs.

grannyrule wrote: I have to say I admire the North. They have quite a very average set of players but they give everything they have got.

 

Territorial wrote: irishmufc wrote: grannyrule wrote: I have to say I admire the North. They have quite a very average set of players but they give everything they have got.   Because it's a mirror image of our side?   We do indeed have a very average set of players, but under Michael, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. As for the "mirror image", whilst you clearly have much greater strength in depth, were we to pick a combined team (I know, I know ), I honestly think we'd get five players in on quality - McAuley, Evans, Cathcart, Brunt and Davis - and if Shane Long were unavailable, Conor Washington shouldn't be too far away either, the way he's going. (This time two years ago, Big Kyle Lafferty would have been a shoo-in, Long or no, but he has deteriorated horribly, to the extent that he can't even get in our team.)

How can you retire from club football to extend your intenational career? How does that work?

I was only half-joking. Laugherty hasn't started a single ECL game for Norwich this season.

Trap junior wrote: How can you retire from club football to extend your intenational career? How does that work?

Don't know but trust me, anything is possible with that big galoot Lafferty!

For as I always say, "From the neck down, he's got total ability, but from the neck up, he's a total liability..."


Edited by Territorial - 29 Mar 2017 at 5:56pm

The next two games in the group may have N.I. home and hosed even if they only draw in Baku as they're going to have at least 4 points (away to San Marino next) whereas the Czechs are away to Norway and home to Germany and I cna only see 2 points at best for them. I think Norway at home (who apparently made it difficult away to the Czechs) will get a draw and Germany are favourites to beat them. I think the Czechs might get a draw though. I can't see the Czechs winning in Belfast. 

Edited by irishmufc - 30 Mar 2017 at 9:01pm

irishmufc wrote: @Conormac77 Give the devil his due. That was a great win for them in a potential bananaskin and I think they're definite favourites for second place in that group.

Sorry, just seen this myself.

Anyway, maybe the 'dogsh*t' theme was a bit much but there's no denying that they've been fortunate to get a group that has given them a chance of progress and have dodged a bullet by avoiding either of the groups containing France/Holland/Sweden or Spain/Italy (as have we for that matter!)

Having said that, they do deserve credit for taking that chance offered and, at the same time, bouncing back from that disastrous WC 14 campaign when they couldn't even win home bankers against the likes of Luxembourg and Azerbaijan. Many other teams would have just crumbled after enduring a campaign like that and been content just to avoid finishing bottom of the group in subsequent campaigns.

Credit also to NI for not getting complacent after a successful Euro 2016 and kicking on in this campaign (for some reason, a certain other home nation who wear red and actually have a world class player keep springing to mind... ). Win, or even draw, in Baku in June and NI will be well set for 2nd place and a play-off (providing some predictions on here about the Poland/Montenegro/Romania/Denmark group coming up the worst runner-up prove to be true). After that, who knows...?

Edited by ConorMac77 - 30 Mar 2017 at 11:40pm