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Other Group D fixtures

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Topic: Other Group D fixtures
Posted By: Maccatacca
Subject: Other Group D fixtures
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2019 at 5:12pm
With the euro 2020 qualifying campaign kicking off in less than two weeks I thought we might start looking at some of the other fixtures in this group that will obviously play a big role in determining if we qualify.

Georgia host Switzerland in Tbilisi on 23 March a few hours before we play Gibraltar away. A draw would be a great result but I can't see a clinical Swiss team dropping points here.

The Swiss then host Denmark in Basel on 26 March at the same time as our home game against Georgia. 

I think the Danes will fancy a draw in that game and the Swiss might be happy with a point on the back of a long journey from Georgia.

The ideal set of results would be for Switzerland to draw (or lose) in Georgia and then turn it around by beating Denmark at home.

I don't fancy our chances of beating Denmark or Switzerland in the four games against them but we might be able to knick four 0-0 / 1-1 draws. 

If one of them can take four points off the other then we could draw our way to second place so long as we get max points vs Georgia and Gibraltar.



Replies:
Posted By: daveyc
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2019 at 6:43pm
Originally posted by Maccatacca Maccatacca wrote:

With the euro 2020 qualifying campaign kicking off in less than two weeks I thought we might start looking at some of the other fixtures in this group that will obviously play a big role in determining if we qualify.

Georgia host Switzerland in Tbilisi on 23 March a few hours before we play Gibraltar away. A draw would be a great result but I can't see a clinical Swiss team dropping points here.

The Swiss then host Denmark in Basel on 26 March at the same time as our home game against Georgia. 

I think the Danes will fancy a draw in that game and the Swiss might be happy with a point on the back of a long journey from Georgia.

The ideal set of results would be for Switzerland to draw (or lose) in Georgia and then turn it around by beating Denmark at home.

I don't fancy our chances of beating Denmark or Switzerland in the four games against them but we might be able to knick four 0-0 / 1-1 draws. 


dont think we be able to keep 4 clean sheets against the top 2 seeds .
If one of them can take four points off the other then we could draw our way to second place so long as we get max points vs Georgia and Gibraltar.


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2019 at 7:09pm
Originally posted by Maccatacca Maccatacca wrote:

With the euro 2020 qualifying campaign kicking off in less than two weeks I thought we might start looking at some of the other fixtures in this group that will obviously play a big role in determining if we qualify.

Georgia host Switzerland in Tbilisi on 23 March a few hours before we play Gibraltar away. A draw would be a great result but I can't see a clinical Swiss team dropping points here.

The Swiss then host Denmark in Basel on 26 March at the same time as our home game against Georgia. 

I think the Danes will fancy a draw in that game and the Swiss might be happy with a point on the back of a long journey from Georgia.

The ideal set of results would be for Switzerland to draw (or lose) in Georgia and then turn it around by beating Denmark at home.

I don't fancy our chances of beating Denmark or Switzerland in the four games against them but we might be able to knick four 0-0 / 1-1 draws. 

If one of them can take four points off the other then we could draw our way to second place so long as we get max points vs Georgia and Gibraltar.
Being realistic, we are more likely to drop points against Georgia than either Switzerland or Denmark. 

We will also have to beat either Switzerland or Denmark. As you correctly say, we can nick a draw off anyone on our day, but I can't see us beating anybody decent without a whole heap of luck.


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Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: TonyNotJack
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2019 at 7:24pm
I don't think trying to nick four draws is Micks style. Expecting us to play with much more ambition,especially at home, than we have since 2007 under Trap and MON, but likely to fail against 2 better teams due to lack of quality.


Posted By: Maccatacca
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2019 at 9:34pm
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by Maccatacca Maccatacca wrote:

With the euro 2020 qualifying campaign kicking off in less than two weeks I thought we might start looking at some of the other fixtures in this group that will obviously play a big role in determining if we qualify.

Georgia host Switzerland in Tbilisi on 23 March a few hours before we play Gibraltar away. A draw would be a great result but I can't see a clinical Swiss team dropping points here.

The Swiss then host Denmark in Basel on 26 March at the same time as our home game against Georgia. 

I think the Danes will fancy a draw in that game and the Swiss might be happy with a point on the back of a long journey from Georgia.

The ideal set of results would be for Switzerland to draw (or lose) in Georgia and then turn it around by beating Denmark at home.

I don't fancy our chances of beating Denmark or Switzerland in the four games against them but we might be able to knick four 0-0 / 1-1 draws. 

If one of them can take four points off the other then we could draw our way to second place so long as we get max points vs Georgia and Gibraltar.
Being realistic, we are more likely to drop points against Georgia than either Switzerland or Denmark. 

We will also have to beat either Switzerland or Denmark. As you correctly say, we can nick a draw off anyone on our day, but I can't see us beating anybody decent without a whole heap of luck.


Yeah I agree. 

Think there’s a chance we’ll draw at home to Georgia to be honest. 

Can’t see the Swiss dropping points to Georgia, there’s a slightly better chance that Denmark will but even that is unlikely. 


Posted By: AonSceal19
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2019 at 10:33pm
I posted this in another thread a while back but I still stand by it and think it’s relevant. 

The absolute dream scenario for us after the opening 4 games would be for the Swiss to fail to win in their opening 2 games. Switzerland are away to Georgia and home to Denmark in the March international break so it’s not beyond the realm of possibilities! Now the reason I think this would be the dream scenario is because Switzerland will be playing in the UEFA Nations League Finals in June. That means we’ll have played 4 games after June and they’ll have only played 2 games. Our opening 4 games is Gibraltar (A), Georgia (H), Denmark (A) and Gibraltar (H). I think a realistic points return from those 4 games is anywhere between 9-12 points. Now for arguments sake let’s say Switzerland draw both games against Georgia and Denmark. That means Ireland could have anywhere between a 7-10 point lead going into the September international break. Our next game would be against Switzerland at home which means a win could potentially open up a 10-13 point lead. With 3 games to play you’d have to think we’d be 90% qualified. We can only dream!”


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“Randolph sends it long…and Shane Long is in behind the German defence… Shane Long against Neuer…. 1-0!.. What a moment!”


Posted By: Sullivinho
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 12:44am
I expect our games against Switzerland and Denmark to have shades of the Holland and Portugal games in qualifying for the 2002 WC. We took some battering (especially at home) but came away with results each time. Should really have beaten the Dutch away. A different time of course, with a very different set of players and two different challenges, but I'd take a re-run. Maybe even sneak a valiant-slash-flukey win in one of those games.

And hope one of the top seeds destroys the other. And the Georgians throw a cat among the Swiss or Danish pigeons somewhere along the way, far from where we're at.


Posted By: The Huntacha
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 3:39am
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by Maccatacca Maccatacca wrote:

With the euro 2020 qualifying campaign kicking off in less than two weeks I thought we might start looking at some of the other fixtures in this group that will obviously play a big role in determining if we qualify.

Georgia host Switzerland in Tbilisi on 23 March a few hours before we play Gibraltar away. A draw would be a great result but I can't see a clinical Swiss team dropping points here.

The Swiss then host Denmark in Basel on 26 March at the same time as our home game against Georgia. 

I think the Danes will fancy a draw in that game and the Swiss might be happy with a point on the back of a long journey from Georgia.

The ideal set of results would be for Switzerland to draw (or lose) in Georgia and then turn it around by beating Denmark at home.

I don't fancy our chances of beating Denmark or Switzerland in the four games against them but we might be able to knick four 0-0 / 1-1 draws. 

If one of them can take four points off the other then we could draw our way to second place so long as we get max points vs Georgia and Gibraltar.
Being realistic, we are more likely to drop points against Georgia than either Switzerland or Denmark. 

We will also have to beat either Switzerland or Denmark. As you correctly say, we can nick a draw off anyone on our day, but I can't see us beating anybody decent without a whole heap of luck.

Given our recent form against them, you could argue that it is a case of points gained from the Denmark games, rather than dropped.


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Jimmy Bullard - "Favorite band? Elastic."


Posted By: 50%lesssugar&salt
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 7:58am
Lads I will be happy if we can just play a bit of football. That to me would be massive progress. 


Posted By: willmcc83
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 8:20am
It's a good thing that the qualifiers are played off quickly if we happen to get a bit of momentum (obviously the reverse applies if we get off to a bad start).. The long break from October 2016 to March 2017 really didn't help us when we were in an excellent position at the top of the World Cup qualifying group.

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Time To Get Behind Mick & The Team


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 8:31am
Originally posted by willmcc83 willmcc83 wrote:

It's a good thing that the qualifiers are played off quickly if we happen to get a bit of momentum (obviously the reverse applies if we get off to a bad start).. The long break from October 2016 to March 2017 really didn't help us when we were in an excellent position at the top of the World Cup qualifying group.


Neither did Taylor breaking Coleman's leg, I firmly believe we would have won that group had that not happened.

But I agree having all the games played without extended breaks is a good thing if you have momentum


Posted By: mandrake
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 9:26am
why is everyone afraid of georgia... bloody hell lads , someone said we could drop points v georgia but not swiss or danes....what are you on..
i also think coleman leg break did cost us qualifying


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Come on Irelind


Posted By: Fruice
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 9:42am
Originally posted by 50%lesssugar&salt 50%lesssugar&salt wrote:

Lads I will be happy if we can just play a bit of football. That to me would be massive progress. 
Would it?


Posted By: gspain
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 9:42am
The fixtures have been kind.  We have struggled to beat Georgia in our last three competitive games in Dublin.  However we have always managed the win.  The Swiss game and the travel will help us this month.  I believe Georgia will take points off at least one of the three teams in the mix.  Hopefully not us.  

Georgia did us a massive favour prior to our last away game v Gibraltar.  A win or a draw for them would be a huge boost when we play in Gib.  I'm undecided what result I want in Basel obviously not a Swiss win.  I think on balance a Danish win.  

With Denmark coming to Dublin on the last day the aim must be to keep us in the hunt until then with qualification in our own hands.  I don't consider needing the Swiss to drop points in Gib being in contention btw.  I'd take needing to beat Denmark now to qualify.  I'd bite your hand off for needing to beat an already qualified Danish side.  

I'm inclined to think we have a better chance of finishing ahead of the Swiss rather than the Danes.  


Posted By: Maccatacca
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 9:51am
Originally posted by gspain gspain wrote:

The fixtures have been kind.  We have struggled to beat Georgia in our last three competitive games in Dublin.  However we have always managed the win.  The Swiss game and the travel will help us this month.  I believe Georgia will take points off at least one of the three teams in the mix.  Hopefully not us.  

Georgia did us a massive favour prior to our last away game v Gibraltar.  A win or a draw for them would be a huge boost when we play in Gib.  I'm undecided what result I want in Basel obviously not a Swiss win.  I think on balance a Danish win.  

With Denmark coming to Dublin on the last day the aim must be to keep us in the hunt until then with qualification in our own hands.  I don't consider needing the Swiss to drop points in Gib being in contention btw.  I'd take needing to beat Denmark now to qualify.  I'd bite your hand off for needing to beat an already qualified Danish side.  

I'm inclined to think we have a better chance of finishing ahead of the Swiss rather than the Danes.  

Disagree. I think Switzerland are more consistent than Denmark. 

The Swiss are serial qualifiers and rarely drop unexpected points. 

The Danes are not quite as used to having things their own way and might come undone against ourselves or Georgia (if we’re very lucky). 


Posted By: Zinedine Kilbane 110
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 10:02am
Originally posted by mandrake mandrake wrote:

i also think coleman leg break did cost us qualifying

Can’t agree with this.

Not beating Wales when down to 10 men cost us.
And we really didn’t look like beating Austria / Serbia at home.


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Posted By: tetsujin1979
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 10:08am
Originally posted by Zinedine Kilbane 110 Zinedine Kilbane 110 wrote:

Originally posted by mandrake mandrake wrote:

i also think coleman leg break did cost us qualifying

Can’t agree with this.

Not beating Wales when down to 10 men cost us.
And we really didn’t look like beating Austria / Serbia at home.
I wonder if missing our captain, and one of our best players, had anything to do with those results


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All goals, red & yellow cards posted on https://mastodon.ie/@irish_abroad" rel="nofollow - mastodon and https://www.facebook.com/irishfootballstatisics" rel="nofollow - facebook


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 10:27am
Yeah I'd be more confident of the Danes dropping points to Georgia then the Swiss. I'd say the Swiss will most likely get close to full points in qualifying hopefully only dropping points to us away.

I think we'd be more hopping for the Danes to drop points to Georgia.

I'd be very happy with the following results in the opening few games

MD1
Georgia 0-2 Switzerland
Gibraltar 0- 5 Ireland

MD2
Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Switzerland 2-1 Denmark

MD3
Georgia 3-1 Gibraltar
Denmark 0-0 Ireland

MD4
Denmark 1-1 Georgia
Ireland 4-0 Gibraltar

That would the table like so

Ireland 10 pts
Swiss 6 pts
Georgia 4 pts
Denmark 2 pts
Gibraltar 0 pts

The Danes obviously have 6 points guaranteed when they play The Rock but I'd be confident enough of ourselves picking up at least another 5 points which should be enough to be above the Danes





Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 10:43am
Out of curiosity, have people looked at the players available to us?

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Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 10:53am
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Out of curiosity, have people looked at the players available to us?


We're capable with the current squad to pick up 6 points in the next two games.

Then after that BAMBI GOL !!!! will lead us to glory


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 10:59am
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Out of curiosity, have people looked at the players available to us?


We're capable with the current squad to pick up 6 points in the next two games.

Then after that BAMBI GOL !!!! will lead us to glory
He is going to have to make his own chances!


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Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: willmcc83
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 11:06am
The Swiss have been an incredibly consistent team over the last few years. The points they accumulated in the last World Cup qualifiers would ordinarily qualify a team automatically. I was surprised they got beaten by Sweden in the 2nd round and I think they could have gone a lot further at Euro 2016; they were a much better side than the Poles but lost on penalties.

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Time To Get Behind Mick & The Team


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 11:07am
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Out of curiosity, have people looked at the players available to us?


We're capable with the current squad to pick up 6 points in the next two games.

Then after that BAMBI GOL !!!! will lead us to glory
He is going to have to make his own chances!


I think O'Dowda will step up during this campaign for us and be our key player


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 11:10am
Originally posted by willmcc83 willmcc83 wrote:

The Swiss have been an incredibly consistent team over the last few years. The points they accumulated in the last World Cup qualifiers would ordinarily qualify a team automatically. I was surprised they got beaten by Sweden in the 2nd round and I think they could have gone a lot further at Euro 2016; they were a much better side than the Poles but lost on penalties.


If I remember that game correctly Fabianski had a great game that day


Posted By: willmcc83
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 11:16am
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by willmcc83 willmcc83 wrote:

The Swiss have been an incredibly consistent team over the last few years. The points they accumulated in the last World Cup qualifiers would ordinarily qualify a team automatically. I was surprised they got beaten by Sweden in the 2nd round and I think they could have gone a lot further at Euro 2016; they were a much better side than the Poles but lost on penalties.


If I remember that game correctly Fabianski had a great game that day
 
Yeah, especially in the second half.

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Time To Get Behind Mick & The Team


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 11:26am
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Out of curiosity, have people looked at the players available to us?


We're capable with the current squad to pick up 6 points in the next two games.

Then after that BAMBI GOL !!!! will lead us to glory
He is going to have to make his own chances!


I think O'Dowda will step up during this campaign for us and be our key player
Again, I think it will be very hard for him to make a mark without a midfield. That is the crux of the matter. We need at least one midfielder who is clever in possession, with the current mob, all we can really do is set-up the side to be hard to beat and nick a goal here and there. That is really just a more tactically coherent version of the plan under MON. 


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Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: AonSceal19
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 11:51am
Switzerland had a very easy qualifying group. It was literally just a battle between them and Portugal for top spot. Hungary finished 3rd in that group and were absolutely dreadful. Hungary even lost to Andorra away and still finished 3rd. The other two teams in the group were Latvia and the Faroe Islands. Denmark were basically unbeaten in 2018 and played both World Cup finalists in that tournament. In a weird way I could see Denmark being more likely to drop points to Georgia than Switzerland but I think they’ll get 4pts off the Swiss. Very hard to beat yet have a lot of good technical players. They seem to prefer to play against teams that come out and play football rather than defensive teams like Ireland.


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“Randolph sends it long…and Shane Long is in behind the German defence… Shane Long against Neuer…. 1-0!.. What a moment!”


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 12:04pm
Originally posted by AonSceal19 AonSceal19 wrote:

Switzerland had a very easy qualifying group. It was literally just a battle between them and Portugal for top spot. Hungary finished 3rd in that group and were absolutely dreadful. Hungary even lost to Andorra away and still finished 3rd. The other two teams in the group were Latvia and the Faroe Islands. Denmark were basically unbeaten in 2018 and played both World Cup finalists in that tournament. In a weird way I could see Denmark being more likely to drop points to Georgia than Switzerland but I think they’ll get 4pts off the Swiss. Very hard to beat yet have a lot of good technical players. They seem to prefer to play against teams that come out and play football rather than defensive teams like Ireland.
They have an easier one this time!


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Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: AonSceal19
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 12:12pm
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by AonSceal19 AonSceal19 wrote:

Switzerland had a very easy qualifying group. It was literally just a battle between them and Portugal for top spot. Hungary finished 3rd in that group and were absolutely dreadful. Hungary even lost to Andorra away and still finished 3rd. The other two teams in the group were Latvia and the Faroe Islands. Denmark were basically unbeaten in 2018 and played both World Cup finalists in that tournament. In a weird way I could see Denmark being more likely to drop points to Georgia than Switzerland but I think they’ll get 4pts off the Swiss. Very hard to beat yet have a lot of good technical players. They seem to prefer to play against teams that come out and play football rather than defensive teams like Ireland.
They have an easier one this time!

Arguably they do since there is no team as good as Portugal in this group but Denmark, Ireland and Georgia are all potential banana skins which they did not have previously. 


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“Randolph sends it long…and Shane Long is in behind the German defence… Shane Long against Neuer…. 1-0!.. What a moment!”


Posted By: gspain
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 12:23pm
Originally posted by willmcc83 willmcc83 wrote:

The Swiss have been an incredibly consistent team over the last few years. The points they accumulated in the last World Cup qualifiers would ordinarily qualify a team automatically. I was surprised they got beaten by Sweden in the 2nd round and I think they could have gone a lot further at Euro 2016; they were a much better side than the Poles but lost on penalties.

I think the smart money would have to be on the Swiss and the Danes qualifying from our group.  

I still think the Swiss could be more vulnerable.

I saw the Swiss twice in Brazil, three times in France and both legs of the playoff v Northern Ireland.  They needed an awful refereeing decision to get past Northern Ireland.  I thought they were poor enough in France.  They were fortunate to beat Albania in Lens.  They were chasing the game v Poland and deserved penalties but were nothing special.  

They had a very impressive 2018 drawing with Brazil and hammering Belgium.  I suspect most neutrals will expect us to finish a distant 3rd.  It is tough to make an argument for us to finish ahead of either of them.  However the fixtures are not kind to the Swiss.  They will have two massive Nations League games in June and are surely dreaming of a first ever tournament win.  I think they could be the more vulnerable.
  
I believe Georgia will take points from at least one of the other three.  Hopefully not us.  The Swiss could be vulnerable in Tbilisi.  September is a good time to have them come to Dublin.  

We need a minimum of nine points by the end of June to be in serious contention.  I also think we need at least 11 by the end of September.     


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 12:29pm
Originally posted by AonSceal19 AonSceal19 wrote:

Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by AonSceal19 AonSceal19 wrote:

Switzerland had a very easy qualifying group. It was literally just a battle between them and Portugal for top spot. Hungary finished 3rd in that group and were absolutely dreadful. Hungary even lost to Andorra away and still finished 3rd. The other two teams in the group were Latvia and the Faroe Islands. Denmark were basically unbeaten in 2018 and played both World Cup finalists in that tournament. In a weird way I could see Denmark being more likely to drop points to Georgia than Switzerland but I think they’ll get 4pts off the Swiss. Very hard to beat yet have a lot of good technical players. They seem to prefer to play against teams that come out and play football rather than defensive teams like Ireland.
They have an easier one this time!

Arguably they do since there is no team as good as Portugal in this group but Denmark, Ireland and Georgia are all potential banana skins which they did not have previously. 
If either of the top two don't qualify, not only should their managers be sacked, but they should never work in football again.
On the other hand, we should be considering a statue to Mick if he gets us in the top two . It would be the greatest achievement in the history of Irish football.


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Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: willmcc83
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 12:43pm
Originally posted by gspain gspain wrote:

Originally posted by willmcc83 willmcc83 wrote:

The Swiss have been an incredibly consistent team over the last few years. The points they accumulated in the last World Cup qualifiers would ordinarily qualify a team automatically. I was surprised they got beaten by Sweden in the 2nd round and I think they could have gone a lot further at Euro 2016; they were a much better side than the Poles but lost on penalties.

I think the smart money would have to be on the Swiss and the Danes qualifying from our group.  

I still think the Swiss could be more vulnerable.

I saw the Swiss twice in Brazil, three times in France and both legs of the playoff v Northern Ireland.  They needed an awful refereeing decision to get past Northern Ireland.  I thought they were poor enough in France.  They were fortunate to beat Albania in Lens.  They were chasing the game v Poland and deserved penalties but were nothing special.  

They had a very impressive 2018 drawing with Brazil and hammering Belgium.  I suspect most neutrals will expect us to finish a distant 3rd.  It is tough to make an argument for us to finish ahead of either of them.  However the fixtures are not kind to the Swiss.  They will have two massive Nations League games in June and are surely dreaming of a first ever tournament win.  I think they could be the more vulnerable.
  
I believe Georgia will take points from at least one of the other three.  Hopefully not us.  The Swiss could be vulnerable in Tbilisi.  September is a good time to have them come to Dublin.  

We need a minimum of nine points by the end of June to be in serious contention.  I also think we need at least 11 by the end of September.     
 
Their performance in the second leg against the North reminded me of our game against the French in 2009. Not the controversial refereeing but an element of complacency in having got a 1-0 win away from home in the first leg. The Swiss were the much better team in Belfast but they took the foot off the peddle at home and the North could have equalised a number of times in that game. The chances the North created would you give you cause for hope but I think the performance in Switzerland should be taken in context.
 


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Time To Get Behind Mick & The Team


Posted By: 50%lesssugar&salt
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 5:21pm
Originally posted by Fruice Fruice wrote:

Originally posted by 50%lesssugar&salt 50%lesssugar&salt wrote:

Lads I will be happy if we can just play a bit of football. That to me would be massive progress. 
Would it?

Absolutely


Posted By: Terzino
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 8:40pm
We need one of the other teams to run away with the group, leaving 2nd place open for us, even without very good results.

Switzerland defeat Denmark twice, but we get a draw off of the Swiss. That leaves us with a point advantage over Denmark. We just need to ensure we beat them once, or don't lose to them in either game.

So something like this. 
 
Switzerland 2 - 1 Denmark

Denmark 2 - 0 Ireland

Ireland 1 - 1 Switzerland

Denmark 0 - 1 Switzerland

Switzerland 1 - 0 Ireland

Ireland 1 - 0 Denmark

This is how the group within the group looks

..........................P... W... D... L... Pts
Switzerland.......4...  3.... 1... 0....10
Ireland..............4...  1.... 1....2.... 4
Denmark...........4...  1.... 0....3.... 3

A win and a draw from 4 games gets us 2nd.


Posted By: irishmufc
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 8:54pm
Originally posted by willmcc83 willmcc83 wrote:

Originally posted by gspain gspain wrote:

Originally posted by willmcc83 willmcc83 wrote:

The Swiss have been an incredibly consistent team over the last few years. The points they accumulated in the last World Cup qualifiers would ordinarily qualify a team automatically. I was surprised they got beaten by Sweden in the 2nd round and I think they could have gone a lot further at Euro 2016; they were a much better side than the Poles but lost on penalties.

I think the smart money would have to be on the Swiss and the Danes qualifying from our group.  

I still think the Swiss could be more vulnerable.

I saw the Swiss twice in Brazil, three times in France and both legs of the playoff v Northern Ireland.  They needed an awful refereeing decision to get past Northern Ireland.  I thought they were poor enough in France.  They were fortunate to beat Albania in Lens.  They were chasing the game v Poland and deserved penalties but were nothing special.  

They had a very impressive 2018 drawing with Brazil and hammering Belgium.  I suspect most neutrals will expect us to finish a distant 3rd.  It is tough to make an argument for us to finish ahead of either of them.  However the fixtures are not kind to the Swiss.  They will have two massive Nations League games in June and are surely dreaming of a first ever tournament win.  I think they could be the more vulnerable.
  
I believe Georgia will take points from at least one of the other three.  Hopefully not us.  The Swiss could be vulnerable in Tbilisi.  September is a good time to have them come to Dublin.  

We need a minimum of nine points by the end of June to be in serious contention.  I also think we need at least 11 by the end of September.     
 
Their performance in the second leg against the North reminded me of our game against the French in 2009. Not the controversial refereeing but an element of complacency in having got a 1-0 win away from home in the first leg. The Swiss were the much better team in Belfast but they took the foot off the peddle at home and the North could have equalised a number of times in that game. The chances the North created would you give you cause for hope but I think the performance in Switzerland should be taken in context.
 

Exactly and remember Switzerland had something to lose going into the second leg. The state of the pitch in Basel probably suited N.I. if anything given the Swiss are much the better football side. 

Switzerland will top the group and given what dire straits we were in the the nations league it is astounding how Denmark couldn't beat us in either game.  LOL We have a better chance of finishing ahead of Denmark. 


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Wings? They're only the band The Beatles could have been.


Posted By: Jimmy Raggatip
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 12:01am
think people are underestimating what a well drilled, talented young side Switzerland are

the character they showed in coming back from 0-2 to beat Belgium 5-2 in a must win game is making me fear for us. We know what Denmark can do to us if they want to turn it on


Posted By: Zinedine Kilbane 110
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 6:40am
Originally posted by tetsujin1979 tetsujin1979 wrote:

Originally posted by Zinedine Kilbane 110 Zinedine Kilbane 110 wrote:

Originally posted by mandrake mandrake wrote:

i also think coleman leg break did cost us qualifying

Can’t agree with this.

Not beating Wales when down to 10 men cost us.
And we really didn’t look like beating Austria / Serbia at home.
I wonder if missing our captain, and one of our best players, had anything to do with those results

Yes no doubt that one player would of had us beating Austria and Serbia at home playing a brand of football that was was exciting to watch.
We probably would have made the 1/4 finals of the World Cup too.

Anyway back to reality.
I just don’t see us beating Switzerland or Denmark home or away. We’ll get some good draws tho. 
The main aim is to build some confidence and team spirit ahead of the play offs which will be our likely route to the Euro’s.



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Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 8:27am
Originally posted by Zinedine Kilbane 110 Zinedine Kilbane 110 wrote:

Originally posted by tetsujin1979 tetsujin1979 wrote:

Originally posted by Zinedine Kilbane 110 Zinedine Kilbane 110 wrote:

Originally posted by mandrake mandrake wrote:

i also think coleman leg break did cost us qualifying

Can’t agree with this.

Not beating Wales when down to 10 men cost us.
And we really didn’t look like beating Austria / Serbia at home.
I wonder if missing our captain, and one of our best players, had anything to do with those results

Yes no doubt that one player would of had us beating Austria and Serbia at home playing a brand of football that was was exciting to watch.
We probably would have made the 1/4 finals of the World Cup too.

Anyway back to reality.
I just don’t see us beating Switzerland or Denmark home or away. We’ll get some good draws tho. 
The main aim is to build some confidence and team spirit ahead of the play offs which will be our likely route to the Euro’s.



Ah now come on . losing our captain at a crucial time of a game and campaign  to a horrific injury and you are saying that wouldn't have any psychological impact on the team?


Posted By: tetsujin1979
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 9:05am
Originally posted by Zinedine Kilbane 110 Zinedine Kilbane 110 wrote:

Originally posted by tetsujin1979 tetsujin1979 wrote:

Originally posted by Zinedine Kilbane 110 Zinedine Kilbane 110 wrote:

Originally posted by mandrake mandrake wrote:

i also think coleman leg break did cost us qualifying

Can’t agree with this.

Not beating Wales when down to 10 men cost us.
And we really didn’t look like beating Austria / Serbia at home.
I wonder if missing our captain, and one of our best players, had anything to do with those results

Yes no doubt that one player would of had us beating Austria and Serbia at home playing a brand of football that was was exciting to watch.
We probably would have made the 1/4 finals of the World Cup too.

Anyway back to reality.
I just don’t see us beating Switzerland or Denmark home or away. We’ll get some good draws tho. 
The main aim is to build some confidence and team spirit ahead of the play offs which will be our likely route to the Euro’s.

never said anything about beating them, or getting to the world cup, just said his absence had an impact on the results. Don't underestimate what seeing that injury did to the other players in the pitch against Wales either.

-------------
All goals, red & yellow cards posted on https://mastodon.ie/@irish_abroad" rel="nofollow - mastodon and https://www.facebook.com/irishfootballstatisics" rel="nofollow - facebook


Posted By: Zinedine Kilbane 110
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 9:16am
I doubt the players or managers would agree.



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Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 9:27am
Originally posted by Zinedine Kilbane 110 Zinedine Kilbane 110 wrote:

I doubt the players or managers would agree.



Umm

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-5533007/Martin-ONeill-thinks-Seamus-Coleman-injury-cost-World-Cup-place.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-5533007/Martin-ONeill-thinks-Seamus-Coleman-injury-cost-World-Cup-place.html


Posted By: Zinedine Kilbane 110
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 9:50am
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by Zinedine Kilbane 110 Zinedine Kilbane 110 wrote:

I doubt the players or managers would agree.



Umm

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-5533007/Martin-ONeill-thinks-Seamus-Coleman-injury-cost-World-Cup-place.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-5533007/Martin-ONeill-thinks-Seamus-Coleman-injury-cost-World-Cup-place.html

Touche 



Thumbs Up


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Posted By: Green Devil
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 10:37am
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:


That would the table like so

Ireland 10 pts
Swiss 6 pts
Georgia 4 pts
Denmark 2 pts
Gibraltar 0 pts

The Danes obviously have 6 points guaranteed when they play The Rock but I'd be confident enough of ourselves picking up at least another 5 points which should be enough to be above the Danes


Denmark drawing at home to us and Georgia?

Ah come off it man.



Posted By: Green Devil
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 10:45am
Originally posted by irishmufc irishmufc wrote:

Originally posted by willmcc83 willmcc83 wrote:

Originally posted by gspain gspain wrote:

Originally posted by willmcc83 willmcc83 wrote:

The Swiss have been an incredibly consistent team over the last few years. The points they accumulated in the last World Cup qualifiers would ordinarily qualify a team automatically. I was surprised they got beaten by Sweden in the 2nd round and I think they could have gone a lot further at Euro 2016; they were a much better side than the Poles but lost on penalties.

I think the smart money would have to be on the Swiss and the Danes qualifying from our group.  

I still think the Swiss could be more vulnerable.

I saw the Swiss twice in Brazil, three times in France and both legs of the playoff v Northern Ireland.  They needed an awful refereeing decision to get past Northern Ireland.  I thought they were poor enough in France.  They were fortunate to beat Albania in Lens.  They were chasing the game v Poland and deserved penalties but were nothing special.  

They had a very impressive 2018 drawing with Brazil and hammering Belgium.  I suspect most neutrals will expect us to finish a distant 3rd.  It is tough to make an argument for us to finish ahead of either of them.  However the fixtures are not kind to the Swiss.  They will have two massive Nations League games in June and are surely dreaming of a first ever tournament win.  I think they could be the more vulnerable.
  
I believe Georgia will take points from at least one of the other three.  Hopefully not us.  The Swiss could be vulnerable in Tbilisi.  September is a good time to have them come to Dublin.  

We need a minimum of nine points by the end of June to be in serious contention.  I also think we need at least 11 by the end of September.     
 
Their performance in the second leg against the North reminded me of our game against the French in 2009. Not the controversial refereeing but an element of complacency in having got a 1-0 win away from home in the first leg. The Swiss were the much better team in Belfast but they took the foot off the peddle at home and the North could have equalised a number of times in that game. The chances the North created would you give you cause for hope but I think the performance in Switzerland should be taken in context.
 

Exactly and remember Switzerland had something to lose going into the second leg. The state of the pitch in Basel probably suited N.I. if anything given the Swiss are much the better football side. 

Switzerland will top the group and given what dire straits we were in the the nations league it is astounding how Denmark couldn't beat us in either game.  LOL We have a better chance of finishing ahead of Denmark. 

It's not really given how defensive we played in both games (especially in Aarhus) and Denmark in truth lacked any real appetite during that group stage. Beating Wales at home set them up to win the group more or less from the get-go. They seemed content to plod along and just keep the board ticking over points wise then.

Denmark are also more than capable of finishing ahead of Switzerland imo, we will finish 3rd at best.

I wouldn't give us a prayer of finishing above either of those sides.


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 10:55am
Originally posted by Green Devil Green Devil wrote:

Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:


That would the table like so

Ireland 10 pts
Swiss 6 pts
Georgia 4 pts
Denmark 2 pts
Gibraltar 0 pts

The Danes obviously have 6 points guaranteed when they play The Rock but I'd be confident enough of ourselves picking up at least another 5 points which should be enough to be above the Danes


Denmark drawing at home to us and Georgia?

Ah come off it man.



Why not bar the debacle of that Playoff we had three 0-0's with them, yes I know we rode our luck but still got three draws from four games.

If you look back at their results over the last 2 qualifying campaigns they dropped points to similar teams of Georgia's level (i.e. Pot 4 even pot 5 teams)

Euro 2016 qualifiers
Drew 1-1 v Albania away
Drew 0-0 v Armenia Away
Drew 0-0 v Albania home

WC 2018
Lost 0-1 v Montenegro home


I'm not saying it will happen but judging from those results they struggle against those level teams


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 11:24am
http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d" rel="nofollow - http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d

For those that want to fantasise about us coming second.


-------------
Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 11:41am
double post


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 11:44am
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d" rel="nofollow - http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d

For those that want to fantasise about us coming second.


Tbh the following finish wouldn't surprise me (don't mind the goal difference part)


Pts MP W D L GF GA +/-
Switzerland 20 8 6 2 0 11 3 8
Republic of Ireland 14 8 3 5 0 14 6 8
Denmark 12 8 3 3 2 9 6 3
Georgia 8 8 2 2 4 8 10 -2


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 11:54am
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d" rel="nofollow - http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d

For those that want to fantasise about us coming second.


Tbh the following finish wouldn't surprise me


Pts MP W D L GF GA +/-
Switzerland 20 8 6 2 0 11 3 8
Republic of Ireland 14 8 3 5 0 14 6 8
Denmark 12 8 3 3 2 9 6 3
Georgia 8 8 2 2 4 8 10 -2
It would absolutely astound me! You think Denmark will only get six points from six games and that we will go the campaign unbeaten without a midfield or a forward?



-------------
Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: jamie2905
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 12:29pm
Best case scenario 


PtsMPWDLGFGA+/-
Switzerland18853018315
Republic of Ireland16851215510
Denmark15843115510
Georgia78215610-4


*The above is based on:
- Denmark and Switzerland drawing both games against each other
- Somehow pulling off a miracle in our final game and beating Denmark 1-0 to leapfrog them


Posted By: daveyc
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 12:45pm
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d" rel="nofollow - http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d

For those that want to fantasise about us coming second.


Tbh the following finish wouldn't surprise me


Pts MP W D L GF GA +/-
Switzerland 20 8 6 2 0 11 3 8
Republic of Ireland 14 8 3 5 0 14 6 8
Denmark 12 8 3 3 2 9 6 3
Georgia 8 8 2 2 4 8 10 -2
It would absolutely astound me! You think Denmark will only get six points from six games and that we will go the campaign unbeaten without a midfield or a forward?


Optimism - the doctrine or belief that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly.


Posted By: TonyNotJack
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 1:13pm
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d" rel="nofollow - http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d

For those that want to fantasise about us coming second.

 

The most shocking thing about those fixtures is that wacky American backwards date format thing they do.


Posted By: Green Devil
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 1:21pm
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d" rel="nofollow - http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d

For those that want to fantasise about us coming second.


Tbh the following finish wouldn't surprise me (don't mind the goal difference part)


Pts MP W D L GF GA +/-
Switzerland 20 8 6 2 0 11 3 8
Republic of Ireland 14 8 3 5 0 14 6 8
Denmark 12 8 3 3 2 9 6 3
Georgia 8 8 2 2 4 8 10 -2

That table pretty much backs up my original point,

A lot of our fanbase simply cannot grasp how poor we actually are! It's like if anyone had the nerve to suggest that we will have a bad campaign or have some dreadful results they wouldn't be deemed as "real fans"

Your post smacks of just believing for the sake of it and not actually factoring in that we haven't shown any reasonable form over the past 2 years to suggest we could go unbeaten, out score Denmark over a campaign etc with arguably the weakest pool of players we've had for decades.



Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 1:33pm
Originally posted by Green Devil Green Devil wrote:

Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d" rel="nofollow - http://ultra.zone/UEFA-EURO-2020-qualifying#group=d

For those that want to fantasise about us coming second.


Tbh the following finish wouldn't surprise me (don't mind the goal difference part)


Pts MP W D L GF GA +/-
Switzerland 20 8 6 2 0 11 3 8
Republic of Ireland 14 8 3 5 0 14 6 8
Denmark 12 8 3 3 2 9 6 3
Georgia 8 8 2 2 4 8 10 -2

That table pretty much backs up my original point,

A lot of our fanbase simply cannot grasp how poor we actually are! It's like if anyone had the nerve to suggest that we will have a bad campaign or have some dreadful results they wouldn't be deemed as "real fans"

Your post smacks of just believing for the sake of it and not actually factoring in that we haven't shown any reasonable form over the past 2 years to suggest we could go unbeaten, out score Denmark over a campaign etc with arguably the weakest pool of players we've had for decades.



I'll point out I didn't actually in put the scores I just did the random button and that came out hence why I said ignore the goal difference.

I believe the only games we won were against Gibraltar home and away and Georgia at home which is highly believable.

I also think it's highly believable we could end up being stubborn bastards to play against and not lose to Denmark and Swiss in the campaign.

And it's highly believable given the evidence I provided of their last two campaigns that the Danes could drop points to the likes of Georgia and ourselves and be beaten by Swiss home and away.

I'm not saying it will happen I'm just saying it's possible


Posted By: Green Devil
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 1:43pm
I also think it's highly believable we could end up being stubborn bastards to play against and not lose to Denmark and Swiss in the campaign.

Absolutely no chance of that happening ffs LOL


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 1:45pm
I'll also point out I of course know we're sh*te and the above results probably won't pan out.

Though we have a history of up setting the apple cart

When the draw for 2002 WC qualifying was made no one gave us a hope (albeit I'll admit we had a much better squad) but Portugal and the Netherlands were much better then our crop

For 2016 we pick up 4 points from Germany when that draw was made no one gave us a chance it was all doom and gloom when we lost and drew with Scotland but we ending up qualifying (albeit with a much better squad).

My point is who knows what will happen I'm always optimistic when it comes to our results because I've witnessed so many great nights and results down the years




Posted By: Green Devil
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 1:48pm
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

I'll also point out I of course know we're sh*te and the above results probably won't pan out.

We have a history ourselves of up setting the apple cart

When the draw for 2002 WC qualifying was made no one gave us a hope (albeit I'll admit we had a much better squad) but Portugal and the Netherlands were much better then our crop

For 2016 we pick up 4 points from Germany when that draw was made no one gave us a chance it was all doom and gloom when we lost and drew with Scotland but we ending up qualifying (albeit with a much better squad).

My point is who knows what will happen I'm always optimistic when it comes to our results because I've witnessed so many great nights and results down the years



There is nothing to be optimistic about with our current squad though.

We don't create enough chances, we've been playing not to lose (but not to win) etc 

In truth we'll probably finish 3rd but will pose no direct threat to breaking up the top 2.

This campaign should be all about blooding as many young players into the squad as we can.


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 2:17pm
Originally posted by Green Devil Green Devil wrote:

Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

I'll also point out I of course know we're sh*te and the above results probably won't pan out.

We have a history ourselves of up setting the apple cart

When the draw for 2002 WC qualifying was made no one gave us a hope (albeit I'll admit we had a much better squad) but Portugal and the Netherlands were much better then our crop

For 2016 we pick up 4 points from Germany when that draw was made no one gave us a chance it was all doom and gloom when we lost and drew with Scotland but we ending up qualifying (albeit with a much better squad).

My point is who knows what will happen I'm always optimistic when it comes to our results because I've witnessed so many great nights and results down the years



There is nothing to be optimistic about with our current squad though.

We don't create enough chances, we've been playing not to lose (but not to win) etc 

In truth we'll probably finish 3rd but will pose no direct threat to breaking up the top 2.

This campaign should be all about blooding as many young players into the squad as we can.


That was under different management though

Again I'm not saying Mick is going to come in and radically change things but we have to be optimistic he will or what is the point

We have young Doherty (as people call him) playing the best football of his career.

We have the potential to recruit a player who is scoring goals in Patrick Bamford.

In terms of creating chances I think the aforementioned Germany proves creating chances doesn't mean you will necessarily win a game, you only have to take one chance.

Wisconsin will be getting a great coach I must say if that is your general attitude



Posted By: Fruice
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 2:45pm
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by Green Devil Green Devil wrote:

Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

I'll also point out I of course know we're sh*te and the above results probably won't pan out.

We have a history ourselves of up setting the apple cart

When the draw for 2002 WC qualifying was made no one gave us a hope (albeit I'll admit we had a much better squad) but Portugal and the Netherlands were much better then our crop

For 2016 we pick up 4 points from Germany when that draw was made no one gave us a chance it was all doom and gloom when we lost and drew with Scotland but we ending up qualifying (albeit with a much better squad).

My point is who knows what will happen I'm always optimistic when it comes to our results because I've witnessed so many great nights and results down the years



There is nothing to be optimistic about with our current squad though.

We don't create enough chances, we've been playing not to lose (but not to win) etc 

In truth we'll probably finish 3rd but will pose no direct threat to breaking up the top 2.

This campaign should be all about blooding as many young players into the squad as we can.


That was under different management though

Again I'm not saying Mick is going to come in and radically change things but we have to be optimistic he will or what is the point

We have young Doherty (as people call him) playing the best football of his career.

We have the potential to recruit a player who is scoring goals in Patrick Bamford.

In terms of creating chances I think the aforementioned Germany proves creating chances doesn't mean you will necessarily win a game, you only have to take one chance.

Wisconsin will be getting a getting coach I must say if that is your general attitude

What is the point matters for nothing.
We are bang average with 2 far superior teams whom we hope will drops points to Georgia when it's far more likely we will and thus removing all hope of finishing in the top 2.

I feel our best hope is that over the next 12 months we get some granny rule players in Bamford begin one big hope and maybe 1 or 2 more 
And that a few  promising  young lads progress quicker than hoped and can have a real impact on the team.

And we get lucky enough to get to a playoff and with all the above being said we have an improved team and give the playoffs a bit of a realistic go.

But this is probably fantasy stuff as we really are average


Posted By: Green Devil
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 3:12pm
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Originally posted by Green Devil Green Devil wrote:

Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

I'll also point out I of course know we're sh*te and the above results probably won't pan out.

We have a history ourselves of up setting the apple cart

When the draw for 2002 WC qualifying was made no one gave us a hope (albeit I'll admit we had a much better squad) but Portugal and the Netherlands were much better then our crop

For 2016 we pick up 4 points from Germany when that draw was made no one gave us a chance it was all doom and gloom when we lost and drew with Scotland but we ending up qualifying (albeit with a much better squad).

My point is who knows what will happen I'm always optimistic when it comes to our results because I've witnessed so many great nights and results down the years



There is nothing to be optimistic about with our current squad though.

We don't create enough chances, we've been playing not to lose (but not to win) etc 

In truth we'll probably finish 3rd but will pose no direct threat to breaking up the top 2.

This campaign should be all about blooding as many young players into the squad as we can.


That was under different management though

Again I'm not saying Mick is going to come in and radically change things but we have to be optimistic he will or what is the point

We have young Doherty (as people call him) playing the best football of his career.

We have the potential to recruit a player who is scoring goals in Patrick Bamford.

In terms of creating chances I think the aforementioned Germany proves creating chances doesn't mean you will necessarily win a game, you only have to take one chance.

Wisconsin will be getting a great coach I must say if that is your general attitude


Or we could just be realistic and know our place which is as a middle of the road European team nestled firmly as a 3rd seed nation.

Using the Germany game is a fine example (as a once off) but lets fast forward to the pitiful 12 goals scored in 10 matches in World Cup Qualifying and not scoring in 3 out of 4 Nations League games. 

What has my coaching ablility got to do with making a point on an internet forum Confused

How a person comes across on an internet forum could be completely different as to how they are in real life and bigger the fool you for using that as a way of getting a dig at me just because I've a different opinion to yours LOL


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 3:15pm
Yeah i'll admit that was uncalled for I apologise Thumbs Up


Posted By: Green Devil
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 3:18pm
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Yeah i'll admit that was uncalled for I apologise Thumbs Up

Accepted Heart

I just really have no confidence in the current crop, add in Grealish/Rice and a few additions like Bamford etc I'd definitely see the light but unfortunately we'll do well to remain competitive in this group (3rd would be acceptable) 

I'd much rather see McCarthy come and out say "we'll be firmly focused on bringing through young players" and just see them gain experience over results imo.

It's the only way we can improve going forward.


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 3:20pm
Originally posted by Green Devil Green Devil wrote:

Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Yeah i'll admit that was uncalled for I apologise Thumbs Up

Accepted Heart

I just really have no confidence in the current crop, add in Grealish/Rice and a few additions like Bamford etc I'd definitely see the light but unfortunately we'll do well to remain competitive in this group (3rd would be acceptable) 

I'd much rather see McCarthy come and out say "we'll be firmly focused on bringing through young players" and just see them gain experience over results imo.

It's the only way we can improve going forward.
He was brought in to try and qualify though, as unrealistic as that seems. 


-------------
Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: Green Devil
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2019 at 3:22pm
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by Green Devil Green Devil wrote:

Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Yeah i'll admit that was uncalled for I apologise Thumbs Up

Accepted Heart

I just really have no confidence in the current crop, add in Grealish/Rice and a few additions like Bamford etc I'd definitely see the light but unfortunately we'll do well to remain competitive in this group (3rd would be acceptable) 

I'd much rather see McCarthy come and out say "we'll be firmly focused on bringing through young players" and just see them gain experience over results imo.

It's the only way we can improve going forward.
He was brought in to try and qualify though, as unrealistic as that seems. 

Which I think is madness personally!

Write off this campaign and rebuild to f**k!


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 1:54pm
Denmark squad for Opening qualifiers

Kasper Schmeichel - Leicester
Jonas Lossl - Huddersfield
Fredik Ronnow - Frankfurt

Andrea Christensen- Chelsea
Henrik Dalsgaard - Brentford
Jens Stryger Larsen - Udinese
Joachim Andersen - Sampdoria
Jonas Knudsen - Ipswich
Zanka Jorgensen - Huddersfield
Peter Ankersen - F.C. Copenhagen
Simon Kjaer - Sevilla

Christian Eriksen - Tottenham
Lasse Schone - Ajax
Lukas Lerager - Genoa
Phillip Billing - Huddersfield
Pierre Emle Hojberg - Southampton
Thomas Delaney - Borussia Dortmund
Christian Gytkjaer - Lech Poznań

Kasper Dolberg - Ajax
Martin Braithwaite - CD Leganés
Nicolai Jorgensen - Feyenoord
Robert Skov - F.C. Copenhagen
Yussuf Poulsen - RB Leipzig

No update as of yet on Swiss, Gibraltar or Georgian squads



Posted By: Maccatacca
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 2:15pm
Originally posted by lassassinblanc lassassinblanc wrote:

Denmark squad for Opening qualifiers

Kasper Schmeichel - Leicester
Jonas Lossl - Huddersfield
Fredik Ronnow - Frankfurt

Andrea Christensen- Chelsea
Henrik Dalsgaard - Brentford
Jens Stryger Larsen - Udinese
Joachim Andersen - Sampdoria
Jonas Knudsen - Ipswich
Zanka Jorgensen - Huddersfield
Peter Ankersen - F.C. Copenhagen
Simon Kjaer - Sevilla

Christian Eriksen - Tottenham
Lasse Schone - Ajax
Lukas Lerager - Genoa
Phillip Billing - Huddersfield
Pierre Emle Hojberg - Southampton
Thomas Delaney - Borussia Dortmund
Christian Gytkjaer - Lech Poznań

Kasper Dolberg - Ajax
Martin Braithwaite - CD Leganés
Nicolai Jorgensen - Feyenoord
Robert Skov - F.C. Copenhagen
Yussuf Poulsen - RB Leipzig

No update as of yet on Swiss, Gibraltar or Georgian squads


They're a bit light (Not as light as us) upfront but I suppose that doesn't matter if Eriksen shows up.

I feel the Swiss have more quality in their squad overall than the Danes.


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 2:26pm
I think Eriksen covers up a lot of their squad issues alright though a lot of them would walk into our starting XI much less our squad


Posted By: Mr. Snrub
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 2:35pm
They've plenty of Champions League regulars while we have League 1 & 2 bus men Shocked


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"Here's Robbie Keane...... yeeeessss! That is no more than Ireland deserve!"


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 2:40pm
Poulsen seems to be having a very decent season at Diabetes FC. I can only imagine the excitement if we had a striker playing well at such a level.

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Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 2:53pm
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Poulsen seems to be having a very decent season at Diabetes FC. I can only imagine the excitement if we had a striker playing well at such a level.


LOL


Posted By: cliffrichard
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 3:09pm
Aye, that Danish squad is strong with plenty of experience. Fingers crossed, they're all knackered by the end of the season when we play them above in Copenhagen... 

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Touts Out!


Posted By: BrendanD88
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 3:55pm
Sisto and Larsen both missing, they look a little light out wide.

Could do with an O’Dowda.


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 3:57pm
Skov is well thought of and is being looked at by a host of PL clubs (Spurs, West Ham etc.)


Posted By: Maccatacca
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 4:53pm
Georgia name 25 man squad for games vs Switzerland and Ireland.

Goalkeepers: Giorgi Loria (Magdeburg, Germany), Giorgi Makaridze (Victoria, Sutibal, Portugal), Roin Kvaskhvadze (Torpedo, Kutaisi)

Defenders: Otar Kakabadze (Lucerne, Switzerland), Guram Kashia (San José Ottaviks, USA), Solomon Kverkvelia (Locomotive, Moscow, Russia), Davit Khocholava (Shakhtar, Donetsk, Ukraine), Jimi Tabidze (Uta, Russia), Lasha Dvali (Ferensvaro, Hungary), Levan Kharabadze (Zürich, Switzerland)

Midfielders: Jaba Kankava (Tobol, Kazakhstan), Jano Ananidze (Krylya Sovetov, Russia), Otar Kiteishvili (Sturm, Austria), Lasha Parunashvili (Esabi, Denmark), Vako Gvilya (Gournick, Poland), Giorgi Merebashvili (Wissala, Poland), Saba Lobjanidze (Randers, Denmark), Jaba Jigauri (Grenoble, France), Vakhtang Chanturishvili (Zlin, Czech Republic), Nika Kvekveskiri (Tobol, Kazakhstan), Vako Kazaishvili (San José Ottricks, USA), Tornike Okriashvili

Forwards: Giorgi Kvilitaia (Ghent, Belgium), Vato Arveladze (Corona, Poland), Nika Kacharava (Anorthosis, Cyprus)



Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 4:57pm
Originally posted by Maccatacca Maccatacca wrote:

Georgia name 25 man squad for games vs Switzerland and Ireland.

Goalkeepers: Giorgi Loria (Magdeburg, Germany), Giorgi Makaridze (Victoria, Sutibal, Portugal), Roin Kvaskhvadze (Torpedo, Kutaisi)

Defenders: Otar Kakabadze (Lucerne, Switzerland), Guram Kashia (San José Ottaviks, USA), Solomon Kverkvelia (Locomotive, Moscow, Russia), Davit Khocholava (Shakhtar, Donetsk, Ukraine), Jimi Tabidze (Uta, Russia), Lasha Dvali (Ferensvaro, Hungary), Levan Kharabadze (Zürich, Switzerland)

Midfielders: Jaba Kankava (Tobol, Kazakhstan), Jano Ananidze (Krylya Sovetov, Russia), Otar Kiteishvili (Sturm, Austria), Lasha Parunashvili (Esabi, Denmark), Vako Gvilya (Gournick, Poland), Giorgi Merebashvili (Wissala, Poland), Saba Lobjanidze (Randers, Denmark), Jaba Jigauri (Grenoble, France), Vakhtang Chanturishvili (Zlin, Czech Republic), Nika Kvekveskiri (Tobol, Kazakhstan), Vako Kazaishvili (San José Ottricks, USA), Tornike Okriashvili

Forwards: Giorgi Kvilitaia (Ghent, Belgium), Vato Arveladze (Corona, Poland), Nika Kacharava (Anorthosis, Cyprus)

This tickled me.


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Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: DalyerRegular
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 5:10pm
Chakvetadze out injuredClap


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 5:24pm
Vako and Jano and Okriashvili the dangermen there


Posted By: BrendanD88
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2019 at 9:56pm
Originally posted by DalyerRegular DalyerRegular wrote:

Chakvetadze out injuredClap

Great news! He looks a quality prospect.


Posted By: McCarthyy21
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2019 at 11:39pm
Shaqiri out injured aswell, "an inflammation of the pubic area". CrabsLOL


Posted By: Dalymount79
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2019 at 8:20am
Here’s hoping the Swiss will be underestimating the difficultly of the match in Tbilisi. With the long flight and short turnaround to their Denmark game, the Danes being a lot fresher so it could be a slow start to the campaign for Swiss


Posted By: Maccatacca
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2019 at 3:01pm
Would much prefer the Swiss to draw against both Georgia and Denmark rather than them to beat Georgia and lose to Denmark.

We don't want either of Denmark or Switzerland starting off with wins over the other.

Good news that Shaquiri is out lets hope they struggle to score in Tbslisi but I'd still be backing a close Swiss win.


Posted By: lassassinblanc
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2019 at 3:49pm
Can't see the Swiss dropping many points tbh, I'd much rather they beat the Danes tbh, I think the Danes may choke and fall back on their Nations League guarantee if they fall behind us which may be good for us if we can come out of the first 4 games with at least 10 points.


Posted By: Maccatacca
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 1:15pm
Teams for Georgia vs Switzerland

http://https://twitter.com/GeorgianFF/status/1109442421761421312" rel="nofollow - http://https://twitter.com/GeorgianFF/status/1109442421761421312

http://https://twitter.com/SFV_ASF/status/1109436379203862528" rel="nofollow - http://https://twitter.com/SFV_ASF/status/1109436379203862528


Posted By: ripbomb
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:13pm
The Swiss look dangerous early on. A goal from them here and could go on to win comfortably


Posted By: doherty
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:16pm
For me that swiss side is nothing to write home about. Hardly names that would scare anyone. Hopefully they drop points. There efficient is the word id use.


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:16pm
I can't see us getting six points off Georgia,.

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Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: Maccatacca
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:17pm
Originally posted by ripbomb ripbomb wrote:

The Swiss look dangerous early on. A goal from them here and could go on to win comfortably

Actually think Georgia look quite good so far.

The more I see of them in possession, the more worried I am about Tuesday night.

They've split the Swiss midfield open on one or two occasions on the break.



Posted By: ripbomb
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:19pm
Originally posted by Maccatacca Maccatacca wrote:

Originally posted by ripbomb ripbomb wrote:

The Swiss look dangerous early on. A goal from them here and could go on to win comfortably

Actually think Georgia look quite good so far.

The more I see of them in possession, the more worried I am about Tuesday night.

They've split the Swiss midfield open on one or two occasions on the break.

I am ALWAYS worried when we play Georgia


Posted By: Maccatacca
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:19pm
Originally posted by doherty doherty wrote:

For me that swiss side is nothing to write home about. Hardly names that would scare anyone. Hopefully they drop points. There efficient is the word id use.

They are without their two best players in Seferovic and Shaqiri.

On paper they aren't as good as the majority of the top seeds but yet they still manage to pull off very impressive results consistently.

Themselves vs Denmark should be a decent game on Tuesday.


Posted By: eboue16
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:21pm
Georgian lad is a lucky boy the Swiss defender didnt drop to the ground after the "clash of heads"

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"He f**ked me over and my attitude is an eye for an eye."
Roy Keane
Talking about Alf Inge Haaland tackle


Posted By: Maccatacca
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:23pm
Whenever you watch Georgia play you can't help but think that with a decent striker and one decent center back they'd be regularly pushing for the top 2/3 spots in a group.

Their midfielders are very accomplished on the ball.


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:26pm
Originally posted by Maccatacca Maccatacca wrote:

Whenever you watch Georgia play you can't help but think that with a decent striker and one decent center back they'd be regularly pushing for the top 2/3 spots in a group.

Their midfielders are very accomplished on the ball.
They could get third in this group...


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Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: doherty
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:27pm
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by Maccatacca Maccatacca wrote:

Whenever you watch Georgia play you can't help but think that with a decent striker and one decent center back they'd be regularly pushing for the top 2/3 spots in a group.

Their midfielders are very accomplished on the ball.
They could get third in this group...

They wont


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:32pm
Originally posted by doherty doherty wrote:

Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by Maccatacca Maccatacca wrote:

Whenever you watch Georgia play you can't help but think that with a decent striker and one decent center back they'd be regularly pushing for the top 2/3 spots in a group.

Their midfielders are very accomplished on the ball.
They could get third in this group...

They wont
You think they can get top two?


-------------
Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: Gabrieléire
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:33pm
anyone got a good stream for a mobile for the Switzerland match? And for the Ireland if possible. 


Posted By: pre Madonna
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:38pm
Originally posted by Gabrieléire Gabrieléire wrote:

anyone got a good stream for a mobile for the Switzerland match? And for the Ireland if possible. 
Vipleague.lc

Their streams are usually fine on a phone.


-------------
Greed has won, big finance has won. Whatever small role elite clubs still play in the local communities from which they grew is dwarfed now by their position as global brands.


Posted By: Gabrieléire
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:39pm
Originally posted by pre Madonna pre Madonna wrote:

Originally posted by Gabrieléire Gabrieléire wrote:

anyone got a good stream for a mobile for the Switzerland match? And for the Ireland if possible. 
Vipleague.lc

Their streams are usually fine on a phone.

Goodman cheers PM


Posted By: doherty
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:50pm
Swiss havent really created much upfront yet. Dont seem to have much quality on the bench either. 


Posted By: Maccatacca
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:52pm
0-0 HT.

The Swiss don't look great but are without two important players.

The Georgians need at least one goal to get themselves a draw here I think, the Swiss will surely get one.



Posted By: doherty
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 3:15pm
Swiss started well in 2nd half. On top at the minute.



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