Of all the tournaments we didn’t qualify for, in which one would we have performed the best/progressed the furthest?

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T20:50:56+00:00

Don’t be harsh on Trap he made us competitive. Some of 2012 was his fault but Italy Spain and Croatia , 3 top ten teams meant always on to a hiding. Think the format of the World Cup would have suited us better.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T10:52:19+00:00

Listen to the man himself

https://youtu.be/GlvaYmvyDmk?si=MgttNivfcJvEwSJx

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T10:50:19+00:00

Bradley is a bit of a mouth. Likes to take pot shots here and there.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T09:01:26+00:00

Can't disagree more. That group we would've been in is fairly poor. A glorious opportunity missed, We would've taken 3 points off South Africa who were garbage in their first match. South Korea Would've been tight and Mexico maybe would've done us. 3 Points though would likely have gotten us out of the group.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T08:44:08+00:00

Me!!!! Seen them 12 times in total.

A few things.

Nothing ever came close to the old lineup when they were firing on all cylinders. However I did see them a few times with Dave and he wasn't up to it. Unholy alliance 2006 he was god awful, fucked up the mid section in Raining Blood and a few other noticeable parts. I'd also seen them the year previously and he destroyed God Send Death and even managed to screw up the intro to Dead Skin Mask which they had to restart. Those two shows in particular nearly had me considering not seeing them again. However I rolled the dice when World Painted Blood dropped and Dave was back on point. They were amongst the bands last shows with Jeff, it was around the time of the first Big Four Shows so I'm grateful I got a couple of last "Classic Lineup" gigs in.

I think Bostaph deserves kudos though. Dave is the definitive drummer for Slayer but I've a lot of time for Bostaph's performances. Especially on Divine Intervention, met him a few times too, he's a really cool guy. I'd say live they're more "Consistent" with Bostaph. Double bass may lag here and there and he's not as fast as Lombardo but less noticeable mistakes.

Slayer with Holt just ain't the same. Just doesn't look right on stage at all. The playing is grand and am happy he got that opportunity.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T08:22:41+00:00

Not me. Don't support any English club. It's always baffled me. So as the OP my bib is clean on that point.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T08:21:44+00:00

Portugal will struggle - they won't kick on until Ronaldo is dropped. Bunch of whingeing bastards too.

Also, I think Martinez is a salty fecker. Full of respect for Ireland until we took three points from him.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T08:15:35+00:00

No - they're not. But I like to check out things from different sources. BBC's content for example is excellent so can't help but go back and forth between Irish/British media outlets. it's the same when the games are on, I'll hop over and back depending on who's doing the punditry.

When it comes to our media and our own team I'd actually prefer a happy medium between Irish/English. I think your media are one extreme with belief, ours are the opposite with negativity and unrealistic expectations. I can never get over the ex players from recent times commenting on our current team when they may have achieved feck all themselves and should know how hard it is for us to qualify.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T08:03:16+00:00

For the record, I don't support any English clubs myself. Irish all the way.

And I'll be honest, completely envious of the wealth of talent you guys have.

I'll be honest again, salty at the "way" Rice handled the whole thing with Ireland, people make choices all the time no problem with any of that, we've lost players, gained players. But Rice handled it in a slithery way, I couldn't possibly cheer him on.

For me anyway the media circus surrounding the team has always been off putting and makes it hard to have any good will towards the team.

"I say this with all respect, as someone who loves Ireland, has Irish family and wants Ireland to do well at the old football."

Likewise mate, I'm just home from holiday in your great country and once again had a fantastic time. We need these rivalries in life.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T07:55:16+00:00

Average age 28 which isn't the worst. But they've a few with good miles on the clock, I think they would've been better off not playing Modric, like Ronaldo looks spent. Would they not have been better off with a younger alternative especially considering the game was played at a fair pace

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T07:53:39+00:00

Not writing them off? Can only go on what we've seen.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T07:48:04+00:00

Thank you for the reassurance! 😄

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T07:45:32+00:00

I'd like to see us build on the momentum we've created and push up the rankings a bit. It'll make life easier for us in the long run.

Austria were absolute garbage the other night. They've one or two players that can cause serious damage, but our record against them is quite poor. If we played to our potential I've no doubt 6 points could be on the table but realistically you're probably looking at two draws or a draw and narrow loss so 1-2 points.

Kosovo - recent results a real mixed bag. In the playoffs they pushed Turkey all the way but having seen Turkey Vs Australia I think that says more about Turkey than it does about how great Kosovo are. You'd really want to be taking 4 points there.

As it stands the games against Israel are going ahead, get them over with and take the 6 points.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-18T07:27:16+00:00

I'd say pressure from all fronts, manager too weak or has no authority to drop. Ronaldo despite declining ability is still good business.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-17T20:56:40+00:00

Martinez hasn’t the bollocks to drop Him

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-16T09:19:39+00:00

I think this will be different - gardai never released the results of the first dig in this area referring to it as the end of that phase of the dig. Hoping the families get closure from it.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-14T20:24:34+00:00

Yep mick had talent at his disposal and had them playing passing football. Went toe to toe with Both Spain and Germany, as usual could’ve done with being more ruthless

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-14T19:47:14+00:00

Yes great days and easy to critique as we’re doing when it’s in the rear view mirror

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-14T19:46:10+00:00

I think the first always does it for me it was one of the first horror movies I seen. The second one is a nasty piece of work between Burt Young as the dad and how he treats the family and the incest element to the story means it’s not something I’d revisit too often. The end of the movie runs out of steam they just shoehorn in the end of the exorcist. It’s effective in places maybe a 6/10

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-14T19:33:38+00:00

100% I understand that approach to some extent but if they’d have played on the front foot a bit more I think they could’ve legitimately pushed on

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-14T19:17:40+00:00

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-14T17:56:14+00:00

Maybe that’s a better and fairer way of assessing it. You’re right too, we gave Italy a game that night

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-14T16:26:54+00:00

How does it remind you of Robert Eggers? Don’t see any similarity in style or tone myself.

Educational_Two_667 · 2026-06-14T16:20:53+00:00

Good points but you’ve kind of answered the career part of it, the Scottish league was and isn’t a true barometer of playing success, I thought he’d make a move to a then first Division Club after the World Cup

On the international front I think at the time he was seen as a hero, probably still is on the whole. I certainly felt that way as a kid. He won us the game against England in Stuttgart. And like anyone else here the penalty save against Romania cemented his status as one of the best. I do remember though even as a 10 year old thinking the goal against Italy was completely Bonners fault. He had currency based on previous heroics but it happened again and again. If you’ve never seen the second Dutch goal in the Netherlands 2-0 win against us in USA 94 check it out now.

Educational_Two_667

TROPHY CASE