Caledonian Craig

Sorry but watching the match at my brother's house I had my thoughts confirmed. Ireland are highly physical and their goals come very largely from set-pieces such as corners and free-kicks with crosses into the box. They lack any creativity to play the ball through midfield. We, on the other hand, can and often do play it from the back on the deck through midfield and up to the forwards but never did it so well yesterday but we try to play football on the deck hence our goals in this group have been better as in well worked goals. The Irish fans should perhaps heed the words of Niall Quinn who conceded Scotland are the better side. Also watched RTE's post-match views and they were damning of the lack of quality they have in midfield and what is coming through. Liam Brady hit the nail on the head when he said there is just no playmaker in midfield who can dictate the midfield and they lack creativity.

I agree. It won't be easy but is certainly do able - Ireland proved that. We must approach the match believing we will win rather than hoping to win - and that is the team I am talking about. The good thing is we have scored in every game in the group so far so we may not be prolific but we are consistent. One goal will do it for us over there I feel.

From here on even allowing for us only picking up another four points from here (draw in Georgia and win in Gibraltar with losses V Poland and Germany which I'd say is being very pessimistic) then Ireland would still need to pick up a bare minimum of seven points from their last four matches (most likely of that would be wins against Georgia and Gibraltar and either a point away to Poland or at home to Germany).

I'd agree. One goal will do it though so feel Gordon must go more attacking. A side like Marshall, Hutton, Robertson, Martin, Mulgrew, Morrison, Brown, Maloney, Naismith, Anya and Fletcher.

Sorry should have been Reynolds but you could throw Danny Wilson in there as well for good measure.

Yes sorry I counted that as a result but the game has 20 minutes to go and Austria lead 1-0 away to Russia.

Yes that is right.

Jeez I wonder how we are climbing up the rankings if you believe a number of Tambers then Bannan, Whittaker, Ritchie, Forsyth, Adam, Hutton, Hanley, Berra, Wilson, Steven Fletcher, Chris Martin and a fair few others have been labelled as pish and don't let you tell them any differently. Christ knows how we are on such a run.

But lets be honest if we can't win a play-off match then there is no point being at the Euros as those already there are no doubt even better sides.

Well if it were Russia I could throw us some hope there. Looking at their results so far they drew 1-1 at home to Moldova, lost away and at home to Austria so they are not super human.

If people here are cacking themselves about missing out in the play-offs then why are we bothering going to the Euros with that pessimistic an outlook for our side? We have went away to Poland and drew (they may qualify directly) and narrowly lost 2-1 away to Germany (who may qualify directly). That alone says that we'd give a good game to anybody in the play-offs as well.

And if I can add to that pray tell Robbo 11 who do we play if not Fletcher and how do you expect him to score with no service?? He made room for our only shot on goal by himself which was tipped over. Griffiths is not up to international standards and Rhodes is a one-dimensional goal poacher so who else would you play if you axe Fletcher?

Going by tartanpar's predicted pots this is how I'd see it:- Dream Draw Romania Bosnia SCOTLAND Estonia Moldova Andorra Nightmare Draw Germany Italy SCOTLAND Turkey Cyprus Luxembourg

Certainly say the team to get from Pot 1 is Romania. They were lucky to get away with a point against Northern Ireland last night. Look pretty slick in attack but defence they looked shaky.

And likewise all these posting that they don't fancy their chances in a play-off I say why the hell not? Take a look at the teams currently third or who could potentially finish third and 9Holland and Russia aside) I see no petrifying prospects.

I suggest you look to RTE coverage even pundits like Brady or Quinn on Sky Sports acknowledged we played the better football. If ever I have read a knee-jerk reaction post yours was it.

As for the rest of your post - the least said the better.

Some prototype eh? One point out of a possible six. You know what you can do with that prototype.

Well Ireland managed it so I dont see why we can't. We must set out with an attacking line-up though.

Vandervaark I agree I would have started Whittaker but I am thinking more of other alternatives not in the squad. We have jad Bardsley but evidently Strachan doesn't rate him.

The same Whittaker lambasted on here after previous matches?

No we dont. That is the point here. I am not saying Forsyth is great but he is among the best we have got. I think Strachan has to shoulder some of the blame for yesterday's poor first half as we looked disjoined and that had fanny all to do with Forsyth playing. Anya should have started - we missed him and it showed.

Strachan was talking match-wide i believe. Heck i even heard him yelling in frustration on the box when we had kept the ball for a good bit then Naismith hit a slack pass out of play when we were midway inside their half in the second half.

Well feel free to suggest viable alternatives then as Whittaker as already been lambasted on here and Robertson was not viable for obvious reasons.

Besides I have read threads of similar creativity about Whittaker not being up to it and as Robertson playing was out of the question due to lack of physical presence and kamikaze style of bombing forward then it left Forsyth who best fitted this particular bill for Strachan.