Micky

Never thought we would make the play offs this season anyway - neither do I think we'll reach that high next either - fwiw.

That is a very very good point, one which others might wish to take on board when we are still in this league at the end of next season.

Actually the game last night was a 'one off' game - the Irish knew that they had to go to Paris and win to qualify. Yes you can say that they played other games in qualification and therefore had chances to amass sufficient points to qualify before this game - but the fact is they didn't. That's what made this game so important, it was a winner takes all situation and unfortunately the Irish were cheated out of the chance of winning the game. Again your argument could be turned around to say that France should have qualified long before last night - in which case the game would still have to have been played - the incident could have occured, but the ramifications would not mattered a jot. As it was, both teams had everything to gain and everthing to lose - the Irish lost through an injustice.

Sorry TDD but totally disagree with you on this one. Hypocrisy it is not - no way. Comparing incidents that occured between League 1 teams over the course of a season of 40 odd games to a WC qualification game is laughable. Things probably do even themselves out over the course of a season - but the WC is a one off that comes around only once every 4 years. You seem to have confused petty squabbles between national fans over events gone by with the main issue which is the integrity of the sport. Yes you can state that it is part and parcel of the game, but where do we stop. Diving, shirt pulling, time wasting and now this - fairly soon the game will descend into farce and lose more and more credibility. You are right in saying whose to say that the Irish would have won the game yet that argument works both ways. France could actually gain much kudos and credibility if they agreed to some sort of rematch or penalty shoot out - they would be seen as a nation who pioneered fair play and sportsmanship, even though it might have a detrimental effect on their WC bid. Would they be willing to gamble - who knows. Probably an irrelevant question as it's highly likely that nothing whatsoever will come of all of the appeals anyway. However would love to see who has the biggest ******** if it did come down to a one off penalty shoot out. Hypocrisy no, integrity, fair play and sportsmanship - yes.

Strange - I was in the Czech Republic last year at Namest Air Base where these are based. Awsome in the air, quite manouverable considering the beast it is - shame this one is non-flyable, otherwise I might have bid myself...! Neat.

Methinks that may not be the correct link - either that or I am having a senior moment...!

Over me...

I see, and agree.

I see the Irish are calling to have the game replayed - can't see that happening. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5705430,00.html What should happen is: All reconvene in Paris, players, officials, supporters - the lot. 1. Players take to the field 2. The 'goal' is retrospectively disallowed 3. Referee blows the whistle to end the game 4. The players that are (were) on the field at full time take part in the penalty shoot out, with the winner going on to qualify 5. All go home happy knowing that justice has been done and the right team will be present in SA Geeze whats the problem Sepp - this FIFA malarky is quite simple really.

Joe - whilst I do respect your opinion (I don't agree with it) the fact remains that first hand opionion does give you a much better perspective of any (most) situations. Until this soldier actually arrived in Afghanistan his perspective of the situation was probably very much similar to yours, and mine - he went there, saw it and did what he did. Doesn't make him right - but I'm pretty certain that he had a much better perspective of the situation than any of us who have not witnessed it first hand.

If ever there was a case to use TV replays in big matches - that was it. Absolute travesty...

If ever there was a case to use TV replays in big matches - that was it. Absolute travesty...

Personally I do have some sympathy for Joe Glenton, but he should face disciplinary proceedings. All of you that are running with the 'he knew what he was doing when he signed up' theory are technically correct, but totally incorrect at the same time. Most people see wars, conflict and terrorist activities through the tube in your living room which unfortunately rarely actully shows anywhere near the full extent of hardships of war. The fact that often these wars are in far flung places also detaches you from actually thinking too much about them - you are detached, these are events that are not directly affecting you. The same would have been true for Joe Glenton even though he was a serving soldier, he would have had no idea of the real situation on the ground. In every theatre I have been I've initially been overwhelmed by the real situation. I have seen the aftermath of terrorist activities, ethnic cleansing, devastated cities and towns and the suffering of people and children. Don't forget - this soldier did not refuse to deploy to Afghanistan. As I understand it he went, conducted his duties properly, but then went AWOL during his R & R - thus refusing to return. Therefore one can only assume that having actually seen at first hand the situation in Afghanistan - his views changed radically. That is his perogative and one can only give him the benefit of the doubt. However, perhaps had he not gone AWOL and actually declared his misgivings to his seniors, things could have been concluded more appropriately. Did he desert - I'm not sure, whether lesser charges would have been more appropriate remains to be seen. The problem now for the MOD is that he has become newsworthy and obviously lends weight to the anti war campaign, so a lower profile charge would have been easier and quicker to deal with. For my money Joe Glenton is in the wrong - but there are (I believe) mitigating circumstances - will be interesting to see how this one pans out.

Pah - bouncebackability is what is required, bouncebackability - simple..!

That is all very well, but imagine having to sit in 'poo soiled pants' for 30 minutes before you were finally allowed to stand and disembark... yikes...!

I've said it once and I'll say it again, the only thing that he should be arrested and flogged for is the fact that he missed touch FFS. A man of Matts ability and he couldn't find touch - doesn't bear thinking about...!

Don't know if it has been covered already here because apart from the OP I can't really be bothered to read the 'off topic' stuff, but would be really interested to know if anybody asked Matt if he had considered getting back into football in any sort of managerial role and what his reply was, if indeed the question was posed.

That would stand to reason - he hasn't got the legs to get any further forward...!

I'm still looking out for that good old news story that our good friend CorpHo said was imminent - not seen anything positive yet. Or did I just blink and miss it...?

Good read - made me raise a smile even in defeat. Loved the 'burst through a Rupert Lowe’s ego sized gap in our central midfield' line - journolistic (sp) class..!

Always said that he would fail with Scotland - just never thought it would be so spectacularly. His record there is totally abysmal - tried to play attacking football yet failed to score in so many games. That said, is he the poorest manager that ever walked the earth (as some here would seem to like to think) - I don't know. Some managers thrive at some clubs and dive at others, so it's hard to tell. My best mate is a Coventry fan, mention WGS to him and he will tell you that he is the devil in disguise, whilst most on here would have him in the 'god and can walk on water' category - so who is correct - I know not. Personally I hope GB gets another shot somewhere - no matter what people say, Scotland will always struggle to qualify for any major tournaments, as will the likes of Wales and NI, so he was always onto a hiding to nothing really. Perhaps it is time to start a minor nations world cup competition to allow such teams to compete at a level where the playing field is as such - food for thought maybe?

Made me laugh...!

Decent all round performance to be honest. Pretty much the whole team played upto par and put in a good shift. Shame about conceding in the last minute though - concentration has to be high throughout. That said - as somebody else has said Charlton weren't that great to be fair and how they are 2nd in the league is beyond me. Mind you, if that's the standard that we have to catch - then lets go for it.

You'll forgive me for not watching all of the associated links, but just the one that you posted was far too much excitment for me...! Anybody know how I can get a ticket for next years 'must not miss' event...?