Slovakia v Ireland, Thursday, 08th October 2020

ole ole ole ole ole come on Ireland. 

Would the fact that none of us are heading there be lost on you? Hard to get overly excited about qualifying for a tournament that may not take place and if it does probably have no supporters in the grounds. 

rolo wrote: very flat on here at the moment, unusually subdued for two days before a playoff. It’s still part of the same campaign where we followed Mick’s team with the usual interest, but it feels different now. It’s possibly down to how poor we have been, and the fact that we face having to win two away games against better sides to qualify. Also down to the quick turnaround from prem/championship weekend action to the playoff. No buildup really, just light training session yesterday and limited news reported on it, and suddenly the team are off to Slovakia today. The excitement/interest may pick up today.

Maccatacca wrote: rolo wrote: very flat on here at the moment, unusually subdued for two days before a playoff. It’s still part of the same campaign where we followed Mick’s team with the usual interest, but it feels different now. It’s possibly down to how poor we have been, and the fact that we face having to win two away games against better sides to qualify. Also down to the quick turnaround from prem/championship weekend action to the playoff. No buildup really, just light training session yesterday and limited news reported on it, and suddenly the team are off to Slovakia today. The excitement/interest may pick up today. I think it's the fact that this isn't really the play-off itself, it's a game to get to the play-off final. They've made a mess of the qualifiers I think. This doesn't have the same feel as a home and away tie that you'd usually have.

It doesn’t feel like there’s a big match for us on Thursday. I am looking forward to the game but I’m not nervous about it at all. Usually for a playoff or big game, it’s all I can think of for about a week beforehand. It’s the unusual circumstances we’re in at the moment and nobody is traveling to the game. There seems to very little media interest in the game either.

I'm excited for Thurs but nothing like the first SK game in Sept, when anything was possible.

FrankosHereNow wrote: It doesn’t feel like there’s a big match for us on Thursday. I am looking forward to the game but I’m not nervous about it at all. Usually for a playoff or big game, it’s all I can think of for about a week beforehand. It’s the unusual circumstances we’re in at the moment and nobody is traveling to the game. There seems to very little media interest in the game either.

I feel removed from the Ireland national team like never before. will watch of course but really not particularly fussed

Fozz wrote: I'm excited for Thurs but nothing like the first SK game in Sept, when anything was possible. After those two games, with poor results and some poor play and some good play, expectations have been dampened but maybe that's a good thing. I'll say nothing but am hopeful we can play a far better pressing game and our forwards click. Way I see it, if we fall short on Thurs then it's a clean sheet and SK can start really experimenting with lineups as he'll have (hopefully, damn U COVID!) four NL matches to do whatever he wants in. Silver lining and all that...

Trap junior wrote: Fruice wrote: Fozz wrote: I'm excited for Thurs but nothing like the first SK game in Sept, when anything was possible. After those two games, with poor results and some poor play and some good play, expectations have been dampened but maybe that's a good thing. I'll say nothing but am hopeful we can play a far better pressing game and our forwards click. Way I see it, if we fall short on Thurs then it's a clean sheet and SK can start really experimenting with lineups as he'll have (hopefully, damn U COVID!) four NL matches to do whatever he wants in. Silver lining and all that... If we lose Thursday night then it definitely won’t be a clean sheet for Kenny. That would be 3 loses on the spin and a serious blot on his copy book and with 2 more games to follow with players disappointed to miss out on a chance to qualify for a major finals. Could be hard to pick them up. For himself he really needs to win if he does lads will be buzzing for the other 2 games with a playoff coming up. 3 competitive games in 2 weeks would be a great way for him to set them up in his mould. But this will all be dependent on getting the win Thursday. it’s Kenny’s   Biggest game of his managerial career to date he should be buzzing for it. Hi Howard