weekevie04

I would argue Wales and Northern Ireland group had a harder group than us. Whilst they didn't have the World Champions or any major players. Many of those sides are decent. The Faroes and Cyprus, the best of the minnows too, unlike our newbies Gibraltar. Would we be able to win or grind out a consistent set of results to be able to qualify in Greece, Hungary, Finland, Israel, Belgium, Bosnia,Cyprus, Romania, the Faroes even? I don't think we would.

Do we laugh at Hungary, Finland, Greece, Serbia, (well, maybe them the now) plus possibly Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Turkey, Bosnia-Herz, Israel? Although it will certainly hit home a hundread times more than usual years when we see Northern Ireland, Wales, and possibly Ireland all there. In the past, the apologists could write off our under-acheiving as us being a 'small' nation, and so on.

Exactly this. I believe the Dublin result was a decent result. Not great, but 4pts from that, and if we had hung on tonight - would've have been 4pts. Also, if Germany had stormed the group too, or we had taken pts from them like our two rivals. Whatabootery, I suppose, but there is one thing I think 99% of us can agree on that truly fudged us. Georgia, away.

Fair dues to them. It's not pretty to watch a bit like watching us, but it's effective. They defend much better than we do as well. Another key thing about Ireland and under Trap too. They CAN win away, we cannot. They win in Armenia, Georgia, Macedonia (although we did last campaign), whilst we do not. Credit to the Irish and good luck in the Euros/Playoffs.

Actually happy that equaliser went in. Well not happy, but it's better going out now than on Sunday. Absolute shite as per usual.

Thanks for the information. Whatever happened to Olisadabe (spelling)? I remember in the Japan/Korea World Cup and looked a great player in that tournament.

Taking this way off topic, and definitely not fishing, but Poland have to be one of the biggest underachieving football nations in the world. A massive, football mad population who often fail to qualify for championships. Although they seem to have found a very decent side now. I think they'll qualify for the Euros and probably beat us tomorrow, but it'll be interesting to see how they do against Romania, Switzerland, Belgium, etc next year.

I'm sorely tempted to put some cash on a double win (Ireland win/draw) at 13/8 to soften the blow of not qualifying, but knowing our luck Germany will win and we'll lose tomorrow. Tomorrow will be very nervy I think and I think we'll start very cautiously. Strachan won't go hung-ho and if for example, it's 0-0 at Hampden and Germany are 2-0 up, I think we'll end up playing for the draw and seeing how Sunday goes. I think tomorrow may well end up a draw in both games. Notice the Poles are now faves with Bet365. We started the week in that position.

He's going to score against us. Fantastic player.

Scotland 1 Poland 2 Ireland 1 Germany 2 Poland 2 Ireland 0 Gibraltar 0 Scotland 2

So that team that knocked them out the Europa won't be the hardest team they'll play all season.

What happened with Kraieigh? Didn't he end up getting door stepped from the Sun or someone?

Has it ever been politics free though? It's always been a very pro-SNP board, IMO. The travel section is/was fantastic and if you were heading to Tashkent, or Bhutan- someone would have been and provided a long detailed report about it to help you.

Spain is exactly the way not to deal with 'sepratists'. Under 50% of the vote, but a large majority. I read somewhere that 2/3rds of the seats taken in the parliament are from parties who are pro-referendum. Not sure about UDI or attempting to set up a state with under 50% , but there's no reason for them putting a referendum bill through the parliament, it'll pass with the numbers, and hold it (who cares what Spain says about it being legal). Anyone more clued up on Spain? What will happen next? Also, has Basque independence stalled? Never seem to hear much about it at present.

the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Don't follow rugby at all, but that was bloody brilliant and miles better than anything we've been served up by the Scottish team in recent years. Wouldn't mind if they beat us again on Wednesday. Fantastic and seeing those stewardsin the stadium going wild as well was fantatic. The fans living the dream too. South Africa-42 was 10/11 odds pre kick-off. A mental result, but credit to them going for it when they could've settled for the draw.

Wonderful post, Herts. A ton of us feel that way, and keep your faith, independence is a certainty. I remember saying to my g/f on the 17th that there is a lot of us, tons of us, but there's no enough it'll be 46-54 was my prediction. I remember all the Yes signs/posters and there were many, but I mind tons and tons of empty houses - curtains drawn, the silent majority. The 18th I went and voted with my friend. He more a 'silent yes' and I've always been more vocal. Got home and a few pals and their folks came round for what we hoped was a party. As soon as Clackmannan came in, knew it was up - we had to win there. Cheered as Dundee and Glasgow came in, but the game was a bogey and I doubt I'll ever forget hearing 9 odd thousand in Gaelic to the 10 that won it for Na h-Eileanan Iar. The 19th came and I went for a walk. It was miserable, grey, blustry as it usually is on the east coast. There were no parties. The guy down the road with a big Yes sign in his garden had already dragged it in. I met my fellow Yesser for a pint or 20 and we talked, talked and grat before going up the road. Something happened though. I said I was 'done with Scotland' if it was a no. Yet, that result made me even closer, I didn't want to give up or let anyone who gave their all for a Yes vote, and like many I decided to join the SNP in the early hours of the 19th. The Monday came and dusted myself down, ready to go for it again. I'm not giving up now, and I don't think any of us are. I'm still Yes, even more so than the 17th last year.

I still mind this from a few years back near Dock Street in Dundee.

Can we get a link please? )

Also, I think Ireland have only conceded 1 goal per match (they have drawn or lost) this whole campaign. So, another massive incentive that we need to win the Poland game.

Aye, you're right.

If it's 1-1 in Glasgow, and 0-3 in Dublin with 15 minutes to go? Push on and try to win the game which would (baring an absolute disaster in Faro) get us the Playoffs, or take it to the last week. I think Strachan would sit tight for the draw, like he did in Dublin, and see if Poland can beat or draw with Ireland in Warsaw.

A lot of this game will depend on the Irish score. If it's tied at Hampden with 20 minutes to go and say Ireland are losing 2-0 or so, I can't see us going all out for the win by pushing men forward. A loss would put us out, whilst a draw not great, would keep us techinally in it with an eye on Warsaw for the final game.

We beat Poland, and say Ireland - Germany ends 1-1. Pol 17 Ire 16 Sco 14 We beat Gibraltar, and if all 3 results happen in the Pol-Ire game - we are through Pol 1-0 Ireland = Pol 20 Sco 17 Ire 16 Pol 1-1 Ireland = Pol 18 Sco 17 Ire 17 (better head to head) Pol 1-2 Ireland = Ire 19 Sco 17 Pol 17 (better head to head)

We beat Poland and Ireland either lose/ or draw to Germany then we are near enough through to the playoffs(of course, if we don't mess up v Gibraltar). I have no complaints though. We messed up in Georgia, but we still have a 'decent' chance. If we do not beat Poland, and Ireland pick up points in both their final games then well done to them, and we simply aren't good enough.