The World Cup playoffs begin tomorrow for the European sides left standing, including an exciting tie between Ireland and France. Now, being one half French and one quarter Irish myself you could certainly say that I have quite an interest in this one. First off, the fact that the playoffs were seeded is an absolute FIFA disgrace - but did we really expect anything different from the bumbling buffoon that is Sepp Blatter - that's not even a name is it, it sounds like some kind of German starter of assorted meats. The seeding already happens in the group stage so we are left with the 8 teams that deserve to be here on merit, FIFA just want to make sure they get France, Portugal and Russia into the finals. Well I reckon it would be lovely to see all the underdogs get through, and then for Ireland to smash Germany in the quarters. But alas here we are. I'm going to sound like a chronic 'fence sitter' but I really don't know who I'd like to see go through. France obviously have some really quality players and despite doubters are always in with a shot of winning the thing, but Ireland have played brilliantly over the campaign and it would be fantastic if they do make it to SA. France on paper will be favourites but tomorrow night, under the lights, a sold out Croke Park will be rocking. Despite this I don't think they need to be 1-0 or 2-0 up necessarily to win the tie, as long as it's level after tomorrow night they're in with a shout. Naturally it would be nice to take a lead to Paris on Wednesday, but the Parisen crowd are notoriously harsh on their teams (football and rugby) and will demand more than support their boys. This can induce mistakes and frustration which will all play into the visitors hands, and is also why French national teams generally prefer to play regionally in places like Lyon and Marseille.
Yohann Gorcuff has impressed me, and although a different type of player, France may have finally found a way to replace the irreplaceable Zidane (one of the 3 best players I've ever seen at a match, Bergkamp and Kaka the others), and any team who has Henry, Anelka and Benzema as a front line is going to cause you problems. 3 Arsenal players included would have been 4 if Clichy was fit, possibly 5 if you include Nasri, and a further 3 ex-Arsenal boys in there too - Wenger likes his French. Ireland have talent in their squad too, McGeady is dangerous, Keane and Doyle up front will be a handful and strength, experience and quality in Dunne and O'Shea at the back. All makes for 2 crackers.
Alex Ferguson (you won't find me using any 'Sir' prefix to that on this blog) has been fined £20,000 and given a 2 match touchline ban (another 2 games suspended) following his comments about Alan Wiley. I said a few days ago that I thought this is all a load of nonsense really, but I'm not complaining about anything that will annoy Fergie. Those 2 games are at home to Everton and away to Pompey and if you look at Utd's recent form you can't help but be worried. Valencia is a fine athlete and physical specimen but maybe he should belong on a running track for Equador because he ain't much of a footballer. Carricks having a rough time of it, Nani even worse, so they're having to rely on Rooney and Giggs to bail them out of some sticky situations. If it goes on much longer Fergie will probably bring in a couple in Jan to shake shit up, David Villa maybe, and Angel di Maria? Fucking hope not anyway. Stick with Owen, Mr. Fergie, seriously, he'll come good...
Finally, Phil Gartside's proposal over a new 2 tier Premier League system with the Old Firm was predictably and thankfully rejected yesterday. As I said earlier in the week, we have the best league in the world and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Gartside is obviously looking to 'fix it' to serve his own personal Bolton interests, as if no-one would notice. Take her easy.
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