If our rugby team can figure out a way to win, then why can't our footballers?

WHAT a pity the big game this evening is being played at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon tonight rather than the Estádio Papa Francisco Municipal Stadium.

- patdolan

That latter stadium is home of the professional team in Fatima, and everyone in Ireland believes we need a miracle.

Have we ever gone into such a big game with so much pessimism and doom and gloom?

Every player on the pitch this evening is a millionaire. Most are multimillionaires. Why the hell can't we find a selection and a tactical plan that works?

Listening to the wonderful John O'Shea at a press conference this week, I was disappointed to hear him talk about putting in an 'Irish performance! What the hell is that?

Pure meaningless waffle! We've clearly forgotten what an Irish performance is.

Judging by how ominously John seemed to smirk at the amount of talent Portugal have, how brilliant they are, maybe the biggest ambition for these Irish players is to see who can grab Ronaldo's shirt after the game.

My heart breaks. It's 90-plus minutes, 11v11, for crying out loud.

We need our managers and coaches to stop the defeatism and come out with a team who find a way to get a result.

The management are paid to put out an Irish side who understand that an Irish performance should not simply be about huff and puff.

It's not about that crap of simply giving it a lash. We have to fecking pass the ball!

These Irish millionaires need to start understanding that courage is not just winning big tackles and headers and dominating opponents physically.

No, they need to understand that real courage, in modern football, is always being avail able to receive the ball and having the guts to use every bit of technique that millionaire players should possess.