[Pumba]

Is ur national team playin northern ireland in a friendly in February????

 

[Teddy Bear]

haven't heard anything.

it wouldn't surprise me though as the new manager would want to have a game or 2 in charge before the Italy qualification games....

 

[x69adam]

The SFA were approached about the NI friendly, but the last i heard it hadn't been confirmed.

Unfortunately i think the rest of the qualifiers for Ger 2006 will be Smith's 'warm up games' before any meaningful fixture is played

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

Crafty NI- looking for someone they can cuff without incurring too many travelling costs.

 

[Pumba]

it'll mean we will have played all the home nations and show r right to be the reigning british CHAMPIONS

 

[Angle_eyes]

No chance, we've got Walter now. He'll turn us into world-beaters overnight. Bring on the Italians!!!

 

[Pumba]

Bring on the english

 

[Angle_eyes]

They're there for the taking as well. Bunch of overhyped primadonnas.

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

Turned out to be a good day yesterday for the 9-in-a-row guys with the manager and captain both landing managerial jobs.

I really can't see Smith turning anything around as his tactics were in question at Everton but I hope I'm wrong. Having worked under Jim McLean, Andy Roxburgh and Alex Ferguson I'm sure he must have picked up alot of knowledge to add to his experience. On paper he's a great candidate but in practise we'll ahve to wait and see.

I really hope he gets a friendly in before the next qualifier. I also really hope Craig Brown would stop saying we'll beat Italy away. :howler:

 

[Angle_eyes]

As Tam Cowan said, senile dementia's a terrible thing. I find it funny how Craig is now looked at in a different light. I was among the guys calling for his head. Looking back, his record wasn't that bad, but I stand by my opinion that his managing skills leave a lot to be desired. It's down in black and white chivo. I think Walter will improve things and you remain to be convinced. Time will tell.

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

On this occassion though, as I said, I'd be more than happy to be proved wrong. I'd like to support a national side that isn't an embarassment which at the moment we are.

I know what you are saying about Brown and I too was one of the ones that wanted him out. He might have a decent record but he bled the national team dry leaving nothing for his successor. He stuck to a "hard to beat" fomula without bringing through new blood and when the majority of the team hit international retirement age he bolted.

I don't think anyone at the time though had any idea just how bad things would get. The bixarre thing is though I still remember the celebrations and the talk after we beat Holland 1-0. Up until we kicked off at Hampden Berti was a hero again and we were on the up. it was good while it lasted- all of 3 days :smileani:

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

Just to add to this one, Scotland knocked the freindly back and Sanchez quite rightly was a bit disappointed.

Looks like Smith wants to make his first game away to Italy- I think that'll be a disaster. People will probably start shouting for Strachan again.