just to rub it in Strachan

posted 5 minutes ago
But we would still have been 3 points behind both Poland and IrelandSo we would have needed to rely on Poland beating Ireland to get a play off spot.
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No we wouldn't. Had we best Poland like we shoulda last night then 3 points in Georgia would have us sitting on 17-Pts

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That wasn't the point though. Everyone is blaming the Geogria defeat(which aye, was the defeat that lets us down) BUT, with the way the group stands now, 3 points in that game would still have us sitting 3 points behind both Poland and Ireland FACT. What Georgia do has no bearing on what Poland or Ireland do. Fact is, as you say, Ireland took 4 points from Germany, that's what's done it for them, a 93min equalizer in germany with their only shot on goal and pretty much the same last night. Nothing Scotland can do about that, Luck was involved too.

May I also point out that Scotland scored more goals against Germany than Ireland did

Too many ifs and buts but it's daft just blaming the Georgia game, go all the way back to the opening game, no chance Scotland should have lost in Germany that night, they had a severe hangover from the WC and Scotland were the better team that night, still managed to get beat. Lost a lead both times against Poland too. In the end those points are more damaging than the Georgia ones as these are the teams you are up against for qualifying so losing points hurts them too.

"Everyone is blaming the Geogria defeat(which aye, was the defeat that lets us down) BUT, with the way the group stands now"

But there's no guarantee the group would be the same now as it would've been had we beat Georgia.

Had we taken the three points against them it would've changed the mindset of both our team, and the Irish as they'd have still been playing catchup.

It would've also changed our mindset and the way we set up against Germany.

Georgia game killed our chances the day we couldn't beat them.

Georgia game killed our chances the day we couldn't beat them.

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So what if Scotland hadn't conceded a last second freak goal last night and Ireland didn't unexpectedly, backs to the wall beat Germany?

Too many ifs and buts involved mate to blame one defeat against a team that wasn't benefiting from the points really.

We could blame losing a lead twice against Poland, losing in Germany from a comfy position, drawing away to Ireland etc etc far more.

Too easy to just blame it on that game, when as it stands, it still wouldn't have mattered really.

You also say that it would have changed Irelands mindset? They had 2 games after that Georgia defeat before last night, away to Gibralter and home to Georgia, regardless of circumstances they would have been expected to pick up 6 points from those.

The entire attitude around the squad, fans, press etc changed the day we didn't beat Georgia.

The entire nation went from believing we could get third at the very least, to almost knowing we blew it again.

That Georgia result ruined us. Also gave Ireland every incentive to keep fighting.

Shane Long it turns out, put the proper nail in the coffin

It was all feel good til the news filtered through that he'd scored, then it all went flat, place went silent and the rest is history as they say

comment by rocknrollbhoy (U10410)
posted 5 minutes ago
But we would still have been 3 points behind both Poland and IrelandSo we would have needed to rely on Poland beating Ireland to get a play off spot.
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No we wouldn't. Had we best Poland like we shoulda last night then 3 points in Georgia would have us sitting on 17-Pts

We're the only team out of Poland and ROI that took nothing from Germany. You know why ? Because we lauded them, we built them up we made them unbeatable in our own minds. As we always do. Inferiority complex. Poland and Ireland got stuck in. Ireland took 4 points from them. Poland 3. Neither of those teams are better than us. But their approach and attitude towards game is. That's Strachans fault.

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But Ireland were supernaturally lucky in those games. Unbelievable. Battered the whole time but so whow scored an undeserved equaliser and winner using primitive tactics. They should have had 0 points from germany

Horseshit. Ireland played very well last night. Mostly kept the ball on the deck and passed it round. Mixed it a little with the odd longball as most teams do. German coach was complaining after the game about longballs, in reality there were very few. Anyways world champs should easily defend that tactic.