I wouldn't exactly share the view. However, I believe that a tough finals group would bring NI down to earth with a bump. I think they have a decent spine, but in 2012 the ROI had a decent spine in Given, Dunne, O'Shea, Duff, and Keane and were blown away. The squad will also have a fairly decent spread throughout the divisions, and it will be hard to see any other team in the Tournament having as many players who are as close to non-league football, as they are to Premier League football. Going to Romania, Hungary, and Greece, and qualifying is no mean feat, and not to be sneezed at.Kermit wrote:
I can see why people are happy to see Wales in the finals as they have some decent players who deserve their chance to represent their country in a major tournament.
But Northern Ireland? FFS. Qualified from a piss poor group and, by all accounts they show all the subtle qualities of an average Conference side.
Wales have a good side generally. Hennessy, Davies, Williams, Allen, Bale, Ramsey, Ledley, even Ginge will make Wales a difficult proposition for most teams. However, I would have actually seen their group of similar ease to Northern Ireland's, with Belgium being the only real opposition, which they would have needed to fear. Israel, Cyprus, and Bosnia wouldn't be easy, but then none are World Beaters, and over the course of 14 months, id have backed Wales, with their current squad to qualify.
Although I'm slightly biased, I actually feel if the ROI get there, the achievement will be as good as any others. If we do get their tonight, we will have vaulted Germany, Poland, and Scotland, and navigated a tough trip to Georgia. And we'll have done so, with an on-paper fairly average group of players. Suffice it to say, we have no Bale or Ramsey in our team.