We’re not Brasil we’re Tuaisceart Éireann

Well last night I watched them as there wasn't much else on. I watched a few of your games in the euros as there was a a lot of hype and buzz around at the time, and the Poland and Wales games were two of the dullest of the tournament.

Edited by Roberto Baggio - 05 Sep 2016 at 9:53am

Roberto Baggio wrote: I don't keep watching you. I watched a few of your games in the euros and the Poland and Wales games were two of the dullest of the tournament. The game last night was pure muck. Zero entertainment.

To be fair Baggio we are the last ones in the world to go criticising the north for being boring. This stifling football worked for the guts of 3 years under Trap and I'd rather bore other teams and our fans if it gets us results rather than being a whipping boy tbh.

We were utterly boring under Trap too as I said at the time. It was the main reason why there was such a campaign to get him sacked throughout most of his regime. Doesn't make the north an any less boring team to watch now. Just calling a spade a spade.

@Mucker- I try to get to a couple of the aways in each campaign. No dough for Prague or Hannover after the summer hols, and as you say Norway is frighteningly expensive. San Marino most likely at this stage.

Floreat Ultonia wrote: @Mucker- I try to get to a couple of the aways in each campaign. No dough for Prague or Hannover after the summer hols, and as you say Norway is frighteningly expensive. San Marino most likely at this stage.

MC Hammered wrote: 2nd place is probably not out of the question Florry? Let's just assume that Germany beat everyone. The Czechs or Norway are not the forces that they once were. With a good home record then you should be in the hunt for the runners up spot. Â

If I may intrude, an objective assessment would probably see us finish 3rd, but having just come back from Prague, I personally think we can sneak second.

Our big problem is that Michael is realistically only picking 11 from 15 or 16 each time, so that even a couple of injuries or suspensions in one area of the field leaves us buggered. For example vs Czechia, we were without Brunt (WBA), our regular LB. Normally Evans would fill in, but Cathcart (Watford CB) was also injured, so Evans played CB alongside McAuley.

Which meant Ferguson, Millwall left winger, dropped back to LB. And when he went off, Hodson, a Rangers RB deputised for him - down to the barest of bones.

That said, Czechia were pretty crap. Having lost Rosicky, Cech and a couple others since the Euros, their new manager is having to rebuild, with no obvious young talent in sight. Moreover, the Euros may have sapped their confidence and it was no surprise that only 10.730 fans showed up in a 20k stadium - 1,100 of them ours.

Of course they might revive in time to challenge, like Hungary did after we beat them in Budapest in the opening Euro qualifier in 2014. But the Czechs have only got 12 months before they come to Belfast, so it will be tight.

As for Norway, I know nothing about them, but losing your first game 3-0 at home, even to Germany, is a bad start.

Our remaining three games this year are San Marino (H), Germany (A) and Azerbaijan (H). Six more points from those 3 games would keep us on track, seven would be a bonus and nine.... OK, maybe I had better calm down.

Edited by Territorial - 06 Sep 2016 at 8:37pm

Devrozex wrote: I'd imagine the Euros was also a bit of a wake-up call to reality for them. Apart from the Ukraine match they looked as out of their depth as we did in 2012.

Really?

We conceded three goals in four games - one an OG and both the others deflected on their way in.

Versus Poland, it wasn't that they were that much better than us, rather that some of our players froze.

Next time out, Michael made 5 changes and we beat Ukraine 2-0 deservedly.

Against Germany we were battered from start to finish, but still didn't crumble, against a team not that different from the one who battered Brazil 7-1 two years earlier.

And vs Wales, even Coleman admitted that "the best team lost".

So we were mostly competitive, whereas in 2012, ROI were abject* throughout - arguably the worst team in the tourney.


* And I'm not saying that just because it's you (though it does give me pleasure to recall! )

Roberto Baggio wrote: Jaysus, the north are one of the most boring teams to watch in football.

Not if you're a fan!

Granted, non-fans must find us extremely hard going, but when I look at the players we have, I never expect Tiki Taki.

Instead, all I ask is that the boys play with spirit, heart, effort and commitment, which they do, in spades.

Which in turn is why we are all so proud of them (these days, at least )

Thereafter, the results take care of themselves.

Edited by Territorial - 06 Sep 2016 at 10:09pm

^obsessed