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France could be Dunne for under Domenech
International Football, 09:38, November 11, 2009 ,
Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne says France coach Raymond Domenech could be their weakness ahead of the World Cup play-offs.
Dunne will be part of Giovanni Trapattoni's side which will face the French in the first leg of their play-off in Dublin on Saturday, before the return leg in Paris four days later with the winner securing a place at next summer's tournament in South Africa.
The Aston Villa stopper feels that, despite Domenech's relative success in guiding France to the 2006 World Cup final, he has now lost the confidence of fans in his homeland after a disappointing Euro 2008 and then finishing behind Serbia in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Dunne recalled this week's incident at the Paris Open tennis when Domenech was booed by fans when his face was shown on a big screen and claims he could be France's Achilles heel in their bid to qualify.
"Every time a tournament comes round [France] have all these world-class players and then a man who seems intent on messing up," Dunne said.
"Over the last World Cups and European Championships, things have not run smoothly for France, they've always got through but maybe it's the time that we put a stop to that.
"And we know that if we can get in front, they probably have not got the man at the top to pull them around.
"[Domenech's management] could be a weakness or it could be a big smokescreen. France have played really well in their last few games. But if we can get on top of them and try to turn the game into a battle, we feel we have the stronger personalities.
"You can see the reaction of the people at the tennis, when they put his face on the big screen. The whole place just booed him and his own players laughed at him."
Punters who feel the Irish have not got the quality to see off the French can use their free bet to back Domenech to guide his team to through to the finals and possible World Cup success next summer.