Swiss v Rep. Ireland

I think this one warrants a thread of its own as well. Thinking strongly of an Irish win here, but dont have much info to base it on really.

Any thoughts?

[PompeyPunt]

Depends if the Irish match winners can perform, they are usually solid at the back, but sometimes fail to find the net as much as they would.

Dunno what the prices are on this one, but the only bet that would possibly tempt me with Ireland, is maybe an X2? I'm not quite sure they have enough to nick it

[Footie Addict]

I think Ireland have to be fancied - sm I biased, well maybe a tad

I was much more impressed by both Albania and Russsia than by Switzerland, and though they beat Ireland in Dublin they did NOT deserve it they got a late goal and looked far less of a side than the others despite winning. Ireland have no major injury worries at present and several Irish pundits are tipping us to win (such as Ray Houghton). Personnally, I think we are better than the Swiss, and aren't they missing Hakin Yakin and Canteluppi, maybe others too. Also, WE HAVE TO WIN, a very important factor IMO.

I will have money on us, and what's more not just because I'm Irish but because Switzerland are not a great side, as Russia showed when they slaughtered them in the last round of fixtures.

Normally I would like to take the X2 here,but if Russia wins 2-0 at HT,that might affect Ireland's motivation

Hows that, VG? Surely they still fancy 2nd place rather than coming 3rd...

QUOTE

Normally I would like to take the X2 here,but if Russia wins 2-0 at HT,that might affect Ireland's motivation

Ireland must assume that Russia will beat Georgia and they know that only a win in Switzerland will guarantee a play off place for Ireland. The Russian match’s result won’t play much of a part in the Irish gameplan as they will have to go all out for a win and not rely on the extremely unlikely event of Georgia doing us a favor.

I personally did forsee Switzerland beating Ireland at Dublin, a very rare feat for any side but McCarthy had lost the plot by then and our organisation was shot to pieces(still not brilliant)and do not agree that Switzerland were lucky on the day.

However tommorrow a more organised Ireland with a purpose against a Switzerland who will be as nervous as they get, who have not kept a clean sheet yet at home!

They also have that extra mental burden of 'ONLY' needing a draw a few weeks back they thought that they had already qualified and now it is a lottery.

Neither side can be relied heavily upon for a clean sheet and the one more than them is what Brian Kerr will get the lads up for. Kerrs' tactics have always been to go for the vein early on when needing a result, I trust him to be too old and wise to change that game plan.


As CJ(hope your keeping well btw) says the Russia result is almost irrelevant as Ireland will be going for the win.

I would never bet against my own side as I want to sit and enjoy the match but a result with either side having not scored is unlikely imo, and I can see Ireland scoring at least twice and hopefully at least one more than the Swiss.

[kompressaur]

esh coma neish

Go on the Ireland! Best of luck lads. Great if we all could win. Might have a wee patriotic bet on us all. Surely England or Ireland will draw? I'm gonna do the 2 draws thinking about it.

Can Ireland still go through with a draw?

The worst, most dispirited Irish performance I've seen in a long while, definitely the worst since we lost at home to the Swiss.
Pathetic!
>: >: >: >: >: >:

Fair play to the Scots though, and good luck Wales ( and Azerbaijan!

[GETT1NLOTS]

Sorry to see you guys go out. :|

Hate to admit it but my heart always out-rules my head and I cheer you guys on.

You're a good team - without Mcarthy Vs Keane I think you would have gone through.

I was suprised he had Connolly on. I seriously have so little time for his ability that I would debate whether to replace him as striker with either of the lads I coach at under 16. Just like an immature player he has no self belief unless he is up against a familiar face.

As for Duff On the Right well, if it had worked then I would not have noticed how when switched to his natural side he cut through their defence at least 3 times wasted effort often as the so called strikers were either never there or in a rush.


Saying that
All good teams start with defence and Ireland have not got a good enough one.

I like Kerr, so I hope the usual doom merchants don't disrupt things too much and reality is the order of the day. We are not good enough, we no longer have the back half quality of the likes of Staunton, McGrath, Irwin, Keane or half of their ability to lead and inspire.