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smiler82

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Posts posted by smiler82

    The View From Ireland

    in TA specific

    Posted

    The mood across Ireland has completely changed after Friday. There is now a buzz across the nation about tonight and now that the road to France is back on. I've said it a few times on here and I was pretty much ridiculed but I found the Scottish optimism a bit too much and Friday proved what I thought about your team. The only time Ireland would have lost to a country like Georgia was under Steve Staunton 8 years ago. Yes we are not pretty on the eye and our results can have a load of draws in it but we can grind out decent group positions and more often than not find a play-off spot at the end of it.

    If results go to plan you will be four points behind us tonight with two games remaining. I ask you - Can Scotland handle the pressure of having to get a result against Poland if it comes to it? I think the way we set up is more equipped to go to Warsaw and snatch a point if needs be. Scotland will counter attack against Poland and then they'll just pick you off at pace with intricate passing & the pressure of having to get a win will be too much for Scotland - That's just my opinion. Even a draw in Dublin against Germany ( not beyond the realms of possibility) puts you lads out of it if you fail to beat Poland. Germany will be more or less qualified if they win tonight so hopefully their foot will be off the gas when they visit Dublin.

    First things first we need the lads do a professional job against Georgia tonight and Germany to play like we know they can.

    Can Scotland beat Poland and Ireland lose to both Germany and Poland when it really matters? I don't think so.

    If I was predicting I reckon we're going going to snatch a play off spot before we even travel to Warsaw.

    A tad early to gloat but thank you for your input

    Is 3Rd Place Realistically Gone?

    in TA specific

    Posted

    If we lose tonight then it's out our hands which is really frustrating as arguably we were in the strongest position in group only a few days ago with two home games and a final game v GIB.

    As mentioned earlier tonight is still a free hit so we SHOULD be in a (controlled) attacking mood

    Darren Fletcher

    in TA specific

    Posted

    Not sure if Brown and Fletcher will be suited playing in the same team, if not, Strachan has a big call to make on whether to drop Brown.

    I think Brown's only saving grace is that he is Captain.

    Darren Fletcher

    in TA specific

    Posted

    Got to say I was a bit surprised he didn't feature on Friday but feel he has to start v Germany.

    For most of his career he has played for a team who know how to grind out results and have a winning mentality.

    I feel he will add stability to the team and allow Morisson, Maloney to get forward more often. Personally I would bring him in for Brown but can't see it happening.

    Thoughts?

    Wales

    in TA specific

    Posted

    Josh McEachran (Chelsea), Todd Kane (Chelsea), Cameron Stewart (Ipswich) - are all eligible for Scotland, despite being born in England.

    We haven't had a discussion about that in a while :)

    Will We Do It?

    in TA specific

    Posted

    Yes we have had no favours at all this campaign. I remember Bulgaria dumping Romania in last game away from home to qualify in 92. We never even played that night. Huge surprise that was. Last one Finand beating Greece 96 every group we got a wee favour

    True - we haven't had any favours the last few campaigns... Maybe this is our time - lets hope we don't shyte ourselves if it happens

    Will We Do It?

    in TA specific

    Posted

    Examples Denmark drawing wi Czechs 74 campaign. Wales drawing w Czechs 78 campaign. Only 3 teams in group then. It only took 1 slip up. Israel did a lot of damage to Sweden and Portugal 82 qualifying

    Did think that but really can't see it as RoI (ironically apart from against us) have found the goal when they needed it against Poland, Georgia and Germany - they have the momentum so can't see them slipping up.

    Current Position

    in TA specific

    Posted

    No, not at all... We should be aiming to take a point against RoI and Poland and 3 against Georgia.

    So we are three points down and adding to that a loss of momentum and confidence...

    I really hope I am wrong and it is still there for us but involves two huge performances.

    Team For Germany Game.

    in TA specific

    Posted

    Marshall

    Mulgrew

    Martin

    Hanley

    Robertson

    Fletcher

    McArthur

    Morrison

    Maloney

    Anya

    Griffith

    However, I suspect the team will be more along the lines of Marshall, Hutton, Hanley, Martin, Robertson, Brown, Mulgrew, Morrisson, Maloney, Anya, S Fletcher

    Why Do We Always Throw It Away?

    in TA specific

    Posted

    Back in the 60s the WC finals comprised 16 teams. 4 diddy teams 3 or 4 from the Americas and 8 or 9 from Europe. So you had to be one of the top 8 or 9 in Europe or knock one or them out to qualify. In 62 we got knocked out by Czechoslovakia (only after a playoff). They went on to be runners up in Chile. 66 Italy knocked us out and 70 West Germany knocked us out. We were far, far better back in the 60s but just not quite good enough to knock out top class opposition.

    I would also add the international football was totally different back then - there are a lot more well drilled teams these days than previous. The 80's and 90's are the decades where we stood still and many other nations stretched miles ahead.

    Why Do We Always Throw It Away?

    in TA specific

    Posted

    Been said on here a few times by other people but we just don't have the 1 or 2 top class players with the ability to break down a defensive minded team (even an average team).

    When the onus is on us to take the game to a team we really struggle and have done so for years, Norway at home (the one when Faddy was sent off), Belguim at home (2-2), Italy at home (2007), Georgia away (2007), England at home (1999), Czech Republic at home (2-2), Lithunia away (last campaign) all examples off the top of my head.

    Ukraine at home is the only match I remember when we properly played a team off the park and it wasn't heart in the mouth stuff.

    Fai Saying No Scotland Fan In The Home End

    in Republic of Ireland v Scotland

    Posted

    A friend of mine just got the same phone call from Needaticket... Initially it was that if you turned up to the box office with Scotland colours you wouldn't get your ticket but now they are saying you will not get in the ground and it is a direct stance from the FAI this morning.

    Heard this numerous times in the past and (outside of Macedonia) it has always been ok. Given the amount of Irish fans in the home end at the last game, I would be very surprised if the FAI took this stance and they probably have to say it in the lead up to these kind of matches.

    Trying To Be Upbeat....

    in Scotland Home Games

    Posted

    I'm looking forward to tomorrow although I think that is mainly because i'm meeting up with friends and going for a few beers before the game. Hoping that after a few drinks we'll all get really into the game and I can enjoy it.

    Hoping for a good win so we can have a good night out afterwards :)

    Feeling exactly the same... I am sure the 5pm kick off will help the atmosphere

    National Anthem

    in TA specific

    Posted

    Get a grip min. Do you really think I meant a real a War & Battles?

    Well I suppose I could easy put on my Jacobite clobber, get the targe off the wall & Basket Hilt Broadsword oot of the cabinet and chop down every 'NO' voter at Ibrox on Saturday :rolleyes:

    No I don't think that... I do think that creating division will be counterproductive to actually achieving independence in the future... However, I think you know that already !

    National Anthem

    in TA specific

    Posted

    Yes. Yes, I am.

    I will still be working hard for independence, but I didn't fall out with anyone in the run up to the vote and I don't intend starting to fall out with people now. In fact, I know that I will be sitting down for a pre-match lunch on Saturday with at least one no-voter. I'm absolutely sure that the referendum will be discussed over a glass of wine - but we will not fall out.

    I never have and never will use terms like "traitor", "quisling" and all that nonsense.

    Being absolutely convinced that independence is the right future for Scotland and her people does not, of itself, make me right.

    Similarly, believing that Scotland's future is best served inside the Union does not make other people wrong.

    It means we have a difference of opinion.

    That's all.

    I know you never used the terms 'traitor' and my question was asking if you were ok referring to this being a 'war', which in my opinion creates division.

    National Anthem

    in TA specific

    Posted

    And you still think it's "scary"?

    As you said above, I think you should again hazard a guess that I was using hyperbole in order to address the issues.

    Flure, being someone who worked so hard for independence, are you ok with folk saying that the '55' have won the battle but Yes will win the war (in whichever sense that may be)...? Will that help the case and create a friendly atmosphere on Saturday?

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