Euro 2016 Qualifiers - The Road to France

[Deutsch Wolf]

Even allowing for Wales being more up for a game against England than other opposition - on neutral ground, with anything approaching full strength on either side, I'd have England to win eight times out of ten. One draw and one Wales win. I'd rather not face them if we can help it just because it's a fixture that would bring unnecessary distraction (and there are weaker teams in Pot Four) but if we're running scared from a country which still picks Simon Church and Dave Edwards in every squad, we may as well not bother going.

Iceland are the team to avoid in Pot Four really.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Don't forget Wales beat up Belgium. I put it as the group of death as home nations nonsense is a pain from both sides.

Iceland are a good side though.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Why would Italy be in pot two, particularly given their record in tournaments?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

They would be in Pot One but France are taking up a spot there as hosts despite being 8th in the coefficient rankings. Italy are 6th.

People scoffed at England's achievement in winning 10 out of 10 games but it's that which has massively contributed to us being top seeds, no-one else did it. Italy drew three of their 10 games and went out of the last World Cup at the same stage as England, they miss out, we don't.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Dont mind being in Pot 4 as it means guaranteeing avoiding the Nordies, plus with the 3 teams going through from 4 groups and there not being a lot between most of the teams in pots 3 & 4 have a fighting chance of progressing (as do most of the others in the same pots to be fair).

Agree with Paddy will be happy to avoid England and Wales as well, awful lot of bullshit and hype before the games and then they are usually dire.

Wierd campaign never expected us to qualify, even tonight thought Bosnia would turn us over, dont know if they were poor or we made them look poor, delighted for Walters comes across as one of the good guys who has punched above his weight in his career. Bonus in the last few games is seeing some of the old guard make way for new players who exceeded expectations and stood up to be counted (Randolph, Keogh, Brady & Clark), have to insert a brain into McClean though.

Never a penalty tonight, but nice for once for the play-off gods to smile on us.

 

[Jolemai]

Mason joins up with England squad. Not played since September...

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

He has, he came on in all their last three league games and started vs Anderlecht. Played far more football than Delph who was in the original squad (and apparently is broken again).