budgie

Normally yes but with the amount of ties between the country I find it hard to believe the game is going to be a straight game. A huge amount of the Israeli population orginate from Russia, huge Jewish population in Russia, plenty of Oil barons who wouldn't bat an eyelid at paying it off. Had this thought a while ago. When the Israelis have been talking about trying new players it kind of confirmed it for me. They'll certainly be going into my accumalator this wend.

Lawro is bad at the best of times but his predictions for this weekend are ridicolous. Talking about playing to the English public. You'd really have to convince me that the Russia hasn't been bought: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/i...als/7096193.stm Lawro's predictions By Mark Lawrenson BBC Sport football expert SATURDAY'S EURO 2008 QUALIFIERS Israel v Russia (1800 GMT) People have been writing this match off as a foregone conclusion ever since England lost to Russia in Moscow. But I do not agree that Russia will canter to a win. Israel lose very few games at home and I think this will end in a draw. The Russia we saw at Wembley was very different to the Russia we saw in Moscow. And Israel have the ability to make it very difficult for them. The Israelis have only lost once at home in the campaign so far and that was against the group leaders Croatia. There are not that many outstanding players in the Israel team, but they are a sound unit and will be quite content with a draw. Prediction: 0-0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FYR Macedonia v Croatia (1900 GMT) England scraped through 1-0 in Macedonia thanks to Peter Crouch's goal and I cannot imagine the home side making it Valentine's Day for Croatia either. Croatia know a point will be enough to earn qualification. And even though the players may not turn up and deliberately play for a draw, they will, subconsciously at least, play with the handbrake on. It will not be a significant result in terms of England's chances, but I can certainly see a few twists and turns in this group all the way until next week's final matches. Prediction: 1-1

what can I say? Pretty poor stuff alright

Dunphy is a fool with some/a lot of his comments. I think Giles knows his football though. He pay a bit more attention to his opinion to be honest

I see the logic in what you saying were earlier though - opens up the possibility of two teams to slip up to let us in instead of one. I think bottom line we're going to have to win both.

I thought Porto played Besiktas away already - might be wrong on that

Should of just waited for you to post

Ok - so let me work this out - if we beat Porto there are three scenarios: Marseille win: Marseille 10 Porto 8 Us 7 Draw: Marseille 8 Porto 8 Us 7 Beskitas win: Porto 8 Marseille 7 Us 7 But I assume they'd go through if we tied as they'd be ahead based on beating us. Basically I think we're going to have to win both games Not unrealistic given our away form this season

Boom, boom

Why do you think this?

I guess Kewell and / or Babel will come off the bench at some stage to replace him. Probably too early for 90 minutes for Harry

Probably a Marseille win. I think our best chance is that if they are qualified before we play them. I think a Porto win is the worst result.

Have to say that is an excellent post. Sums up my feelings perfectly. A lot more eloquently than I could. I think Rafa has been very smart in not exposing Babel, Lucas, Leto etc. to the current witch-hunt type treatment from the media and fans. Their confidence could be destroyed if not handled properly.

Is that Ade Akinbiyi on the left??

I don't post here much as I usually just read the discussions. Feel compelled to post today. I think the situation is make or break - for the season, for Rafa and for a lot of the players. I think we are by no means in a terrible position if we get a good run of results coming up to the Utd game - 12+ pts from the 5 games - wea re even better shape. A big ask i know. Cleraly we are not playing well but we are missing a huge chunk of our team and we have seen the impact of missing just 1 or 2 players on the other contenders - Ronaldo for Utd, Drogba for Chelsea. Sure Rafa is making mistakes but I really feel that everyone needs to stop overanalysing everything he does (the media have started this mentality). We need to get behind him & the team. This season is there to be turned into a real title push - we just need a run of consistent results. I think we have started to turn it around with 4 out of the last 6 points. Saturday is huge in my mind. Let's keep the spirits up til we have reason to do otherwise

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.