Thanks for pointing that out lads. Of course, we have a divine right to assume that we're going to beat Switzerland, and Basle's hammering against the top side in Spain proves it. Actually, lets look beyond the Swiss, we should really start bantering about what formation we're going to deploy in the opening match in Portugal in 2 years time. Actually, ************ that, let's discuss our semi final line-up.....what's the best way to counter those tricky French forwards? We almost made it to the world cup quarter final after all, why are we even bothering to debate the Swiss match, we'll obviously hammer them, just like we showed the Russians good, eh?
Come on now, my point was being sarcastic. A lot of people here suddenly got scared when Basle held Liverpool to a draw but now they have a big loss. You cannot really judge a national team on a club's result. In all honesty, I really dont know anything about the swiss except for the watches, cheese and money laundering (ie swiss bank accounts). All I know is that they havent qualified for anything since WC 94 but are improving. Still, being at home with a good seasoned side, it is really ours to lose.
Good one. No, wait, it wasn't. This wouldn't be being mentioned at all if some people (yourself, for example) who are resembling England supporters more and more hadn't gone on after the Liverpool game about how we were going to lose to the Swiss because of how Basle were doing. Well, they lost 6-2. Does it not work both ways? Don't start twisting logic unless you're prepared to twist it all the way. And where, exactly, did Fr. Ted say that we'd "hammer" them? Come on - if you're gonna do this, do it right.
Lose to the Swiss? Quite possibly, and I'm delighted its entered into your thought processes. No dear boy, I merely think we will draw with them and my my diatribe, which has obviously discomfited you so, was merely to point out that there are glaring weaknesses in this Irish team as it stands, and a team which is capable of fielding several Champions League players will doubtlessly be able to exploit them. In 5 easy steps. Ireland have a poor defence. Ireland's left sided midfielder is poor Ireland's best player is being rendered ineffective through being played out of position. Switzerland have players playing at the top level of world club football. Ergo, Switzerland can cause Ireland far more serious problems than people on here give them credit for. Clear enough?
Yep. First of all when the draw was made. That was a fair while ago. I guess that's a nice little insight into how useful your opinions are - do you draw possible stances out of a hat and then stick with them blindly? I'm afraid that I prefer the more considered, intelligent type of opinion - I'm fully aware that we can lose to, or draw with the Swiss. I just happen to also think that we're more than capable of beating them also. Has that entered your thought processes? In what way? Well, I guess you should take over the team. Every team has weaknesses, genius. That's the nature of competition. No. That doesn't follow. A good international side should be able to exploit weakness. The fact that some of their players play in the Champions League is a bonus for them, but it won't be a deciding difference. Think of it this way - Ian Harte and Gary Kelly (not to mention Steve McPhail), have both reached the semi-finals of the CL - and UEFA Cup - and look at how you rate them. So poor that they had almost the best defensive record in the entire European section. 6 goals conceded in 12 games. In a group with two of the best attacking sides in the world. Offensively. Defensively he's an integral part of the team. Whether or not he's the best choice for that slot doesn't alter the fact that he is a useful player on the pitch, who gets through a lot of work. And the fact that himself and Harte were the two players who played the most during the qualifiers should give you a hint as to how well they work together - it can't all be down to McCarthy's "bias". So does Finland. So does Bulgaria. And so, lest you forget, do we - Shay Given, Andy O'Brien, John O'Shea, Gary Kelly, Ian Harte (blasphemy!), Steve McPhail, Robbie Keane. The Basle players, who seem to be the driving force behind this particular argument, have played THREE games in the Champion's League. Total. One of which they lost 6-2. Another when they got a result verging on the miraculous, despite being saved by the woodwork 3 times, and getting away with penalty calls. Scary. Who? Please, really, tell me who on this board has said that we'll walk over them? Who here hasn't asknowledged them as a decent side? Does the fact that some of us also happen to think that *we're* a decent side suddenly invalidate that? Why the extremes? Clear, but not necessarily correct.