1-1 Sporting Fingal

[redbuli]

expect this to be a tough game, hopefully the injuries clear up but at least this season we have cover in every position, a win would be a great result but expect a draw

http://www.sligorovers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=873:injury-worries-for-fingal-match&catid=13:news&Itemid=246

[jamie m]

Would be more than happy with a point from this one but would be hopeful we might grab a one nil win:). Id like to see John Dillon playing some role tonight, was really impressed with him after the cliftonville game and would definitely provide a bit more creativity.

[CarrickFan]

tough game....i hope Brush,Ryan and Amond make it and Ventre doesnt(unless at full back)...with a footballer in midfield i'd be more confident of a result.dont like seeing us play a rooter in central midfield..BRAINS over brawn everytime please.

[CarrickFan]

Feature on Conor O'Grady and Rovers in the herald today.

Hope he starts tonight.

[dong]

Hope he starts tonight.

Me too. Thought Ventre was poor enough against Shams. I wouldn't be as anti-Ventre as yourself Carrickfan! He had some savage games last season against Bohs but he is limited.
McFaul looked a class act for them last week and they played all the football in that game.
A draw would be an excellent result.

[Mayo Red]

I'd probably take a draw from this one, but while a win wouldn't make up for the Cup Final heartache it'd be great to come away from Morton with all 3 points!

[red_away]

""The Showgrounds is a great place to play when it's full like that, and that's what you want, as a player, a big gate for a big game against someone like Shams," added O'Grady, who follows the proud Sligo tradition -- it's bred into them -- of only referring to their own club as 'Rovers' and calling the Dublin side 'Shams'."

I do like the "shams" comment...proper order!

[CarrickFan]

Me too. Thought Ventre was poor enough against Shams. I wouldn't be as anti-Ventre as yourself Carrickfan! He had some savage games last season against Bohs but he is limited.
McFaul looked a class act for them last week and they played all the football in that game.
A draw would be an excellent result.


Ha..i doubt many are!!!...ah no to be fair im not completley ANTI Ventre per se..i do recognise his attributes and think he has been decent as a full back on both sides so he's versatile and "committed" in the tackle....i would be anti Ventre in Centre Midfield...very much so....call me old fashioned but i like midfielders with a bit of guile,that can pick a foward pass out of more than 5 yards,spot a run,create chances and have a pop at goal themselves when the chance arrives..i think Richie showed last week he can do a lot of that...I think Conor is better equipped also to do that and im hopefull Doninger and Russel also have that...i think Danny did v well at left back and him,Keane,Gavin and Mauro would be my preferred back 4 when all are match fit..having said that would need to see more of Whelan and Davoran.

[LondonRover]

""The Showgrounds is a great place to play when it's full like that, and that's what you want, as a player, a big gate for a big game against someone like Shams," added O'Grady, who follows the proud Sligo tradition -- it's bred into them -- of only referring to their own club as 'Rovers' and calling the Dublin side 'Shams'."

I do like the "shams" comment...proper order!

Definitely, it was doing my nut in the way the lot of them on MNS last week kept going on about 'Rovers' as if it only applied to the Dubs whilst we're just Sligo. It's always been that way so I know I should be over it by now but it just gets on my tits! Good on ya Conor

[Shiba]

We will win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[redarmyfaction]

Any coverage anywhere?

[kkontour]

http://extratime.ie/liveupdate/

Best I can find

[bingoballs]

fingal one up

[roversman]

oneill again

[roversman]

1.1 almond great

[gladys]

anyone got commentary on game

[bingoballs]

There can't be too long left now. A draw would be a good result.

[roversman]

1- 1 not too bad

[bingoballs]

a good result and two good points after two tough games. Better start then last year anyway!

[MarkyH]

Happy enough with a point. Fingal are a decent team and will beat a lot of teams out in Santry this year. We were poor in the 1st half and were lucky enough to go in level at the break. Ventre and Ryan struggled to get to grips with the 3 man Fingal midfield. The 2 new full backs started off shakey enough, but improved in the 2nd half.

O'Neill turned Keane inside for their goal and took it really well. Was glad that Amond got on the scoresheet. It will improve his confidence, after missing a similar chance in the 1st half. Our goal must have been the only mistake, by the big lad Paisley for Fingal, as he dominated Blinkhorn throughout. We played much better after scoring without creating a lot.

For all Blinkhorn's work up front, he doesn't provide a goal threat. We could do with another option up front, preferably someone with a bit of pace. McCabe gave the ball away a lot on the right wing. Dillon looked promising when he came on, even if he too gave away the ball in bad positions a couple of times.

A win against Galway next week, following these 2 draws, would represent a decent start to me.

[oldrover]

Agree with most of this assessment.Hopefully team will gel together after afew matches. Reasonably good start to season. Support very good .

[rovers100%]

well i for one am heading for physio on my neck cos every time i seen rovers play a ball it was 40ft up in the air !!! i thought we were poor and thats being kind. doyle contrinuted absolutely nothing. davoren was caught out with the balls over him the whole game. the two in the centreof midfield must be laughing at getting a contract because ya forget they are on the pitch at times. mccabe made very little impact. amond was quiet but made 2 chances for himself and finished one perfectly. blinkhorn puts in a serious shift every time as does keane and peers. whelan was average at best.
poor donninger had his tracksuit on and off 40 times. cook seems very reluctant to take ryan or ventre off and it puzzles me why !!!
donninger seemed to be as confused, as he ran straight off the pitch and down the tunnel when the whistle was blown. fair enough teams will struggle against fingal but from the 2 games i have seen there is no improvement on last year and cook remains to be oblivious to the fact that ryan and ventre together are not good enough.
cook is a good manager but he is making the same mistakes this year as last year with the midfield and again he is too late making changes in games. we remain unbeaten but the standard of football is poor. its all hoofing up to blinkhorn, where is the beautiful football of 2 years ago gone ???

[avvenalaf]

cook is a good manager but he is making the same mistakes this year as last year with the midfield and again he is too late making changes in games. we remain unbeaten but the standard of football is poor. its all hoofing up to blinkhorn, where is the beautiful football of 2 years ago gone ???

So, if Cook is making the same mistakes as last year - one of which cost us the FAI Cup Final - where do you get the idea that he is a good manager?.

[rovers100%]

he had us playing some of the best football in years 2 seasons ago and has got us to europe and to the fai cup fina,l but the league is so poor that if he learned from some of his mistakes we would finish 3rd no problem as fingal showed me no signs that they are any better than us tonight. even shams didnt look great. with ryan and ventre in the middle we will not improve as a team. they were poor last year and between them lack composure, drive and ability

[sligorover]

with ryan and ventre in the middle we will not improve as a team. they were poor last year and between them lack composure, drive and ability
Actually between them they have that in abundance, its individually that they are lacking. I think Ryan has looked very good so far this season(wasn't at tonights game so don't know about that one), meanwhile Danny does most of the dirty work, and does it quite well. I can see why Cook would play them together for tough games like tonights and last weeks.

I'd like to see Doninger from the start next week, just to get a good idea of what hes like.

[rovers100%]

against both shams and fingal both opponent teams have an age on the ball. ryan has improved i will agree but he is still not top class. he can pick a pass this year but he is too slow and lacks drive and wont tackle. ventre's positioning is awful and when he does tackle its diving in with 2 feet. he is commited beyong belief and i like the lad but come on is he really top drawer material ??? he cant pass beyond 5 yards.we need someone who when recieves the ball will hold it up and slow down the play and settle the team down. if ya seen tonight it was awful. every time we got the ball it was hoofing it away as fast as it the player could. we have no true leader on the pitch imo. opponent teams seem to walk the ball to our penalty area totally unapposed as our midfield chase shadows.

[red bellied]

You couldnt really blame any of the players tonight because the tactics or the lack of them were the major factor. Forty yard scud missiles bombed up to Blinkys head, no wonder he looks p issed. The major factor was they didnt get on the ball enough due to aimless booting. Improved second half concentrated on playing the wings after getting back in after the goal.

[und2015]

I think it is a bit early to be making any assumptions on how Cook has or has not improved. We are only 5.5% into the season; there is still 95.5% left to play. I have no problem with expressing your opinion, but I think we should all be patient.

[Lamper.sffc]

Happy enough with a point. Fingal are a decent team and will beat a lot of teams out in Santry this year. We were poor in the 1st half and were lucky enough to go in level at the break. Ventre and Ryan struggled to get to grips with the 3 man Fingal midfield. The 2 new full backs started off shakey enough, but improved in the 2nd half.

O'Neill turned Keane inside for their goal and took it really well. Was glad that Amond got on the scoresheet. It will improve his confidence, after missing a similar chance in the 1st half. Our goal must have been the only mistake, by the big lad Paisley for Fingal, as he dominated Blinkhorn throughout. We played much better after scoring without creating a lot.

For all Blinkhorn's work up front, he doesn't provide a goal threat. We could do with another option up front, preferably someone with a bit of pace. McCabe gave the ball away a lot on the right wing. Dillon looked promising when he came on, even if he too gave away the ball in bad positions a couple of times.

A win against Galway next week, following these 2 draws, would represent a decent start to me.

I have to say thats a fair opinion on the game.

Fair play lads. Yous never stopped singing and your away support was a credit to your club. Till the next time

[bennocelt]

A decent game, I thought the two teams canceled each other out really - good Fingal Mid and attack thwarted by the rock of Sligos central defence, a draw was a fair result. Good crowd up from Sligo and was nice to see another packed stand. I think Sligo play good football, and considering they have played two tough teams and havent lost, the season should look good for ye

[red arrow]

in my opinion we have made a decent start to the season.remember we have a lot of young players & it will take time to gell togeather & build confidence. if we can beat galway it will really get us moving in the right direction. we need a big crowd next sat night (lke shams game) to get behind the team.

[rovers100%]

i for one sincerly hope against galway the team realises we can easily beat them if we play the ball on the ground. the tactics of hoofing the ball up to blinkhorn tells me they have no confidence playing it through the midfield. we have a team easily capable of 3rd spot if they play football the right way.

[Shedzer]

Was the attendance 1267 as it says on rte.ie find that hard to believe wasn't at the game but thought fingal had not alot of fans.

[rovers100%]

they must be counting the stewards !!!!

[showgies]

Post match reaction

http://sportspeak.eu/2010/03/13/sporting-fingal-1-1-sligo-rovers-match-reaction/

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Way too much long balls up to Blinkhorn for the first 50 minutes. I wouldn't mind if he was winning them the whole time but 90% of the time the fingal defenders were just clearing them. The first time we got the ball on the ground and had a couple of passes was when we got the goal. After that we were just one pass away from getting an undeserved winner. A few times a quick pass just missed someone running through. Ventre offered nothing at all. Ryan at least played a few decent passes but their midfield had way too much room in the first half. At least it got sorted in the second half.

From comparing the 2 teams from the cup final one team has improved a lot and it's not us. Still thought Amond worked very hard and deserved his goal. Thought Doyle did very little and I would have taken him off rather then McCabe. Defended well even if Davoren looked in trouble with the diagonal ball for most of the game.

Bring on Seanie

[sligoman]

Draw definitely the fairest result.

O'Grady has to start next week, should never have been dropped in the first place, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him on the bench again as it seems Ventre has to play every week. 3 points should be guaranteed next week, anything less is not good enough.

[rovers100%]

we all know it wont happen but what does that say about cook as a manager. last season it was the same problem !!!! no midfield....... this year again he continues with ryan who albeit has improved and picks 4-6 great passes a game but offers very little else, and ventre who will add a bit of bite but gives away far too many fouls and his positioning is atrocious. the game passes him by most days.he looked better at centre back last year to me. its hard to be critical of him when he gives his all but his all is not that much technically.
cook is reluctant to make substitutions as was seen by getting a bemused donninger to put his tracksuit on and off 40 times.
i know im being very critical as only 2 games gone but so far im seeing the same mistakes as last year and we all remember how depressing that was at times. the hardest part is when we get the ball down we all know we can play better football than the current champions.
its frustrating seeing us make the same mistakes this year and it confuses me how cook is blind to the fact. he done very little shouting last nite to the players and i feel he may well be too buddy buddy with a lot of them. thats the only conclusion i can come to with him continued picking of ryan and ventre. remember ryan was not even getting a contract this year in pre season and now he is first choice

[bingoballs]

we all know it wont happen but what does that say about cook as a manager. last season it was the same problem !!!! no midfield....... this year again he continues with ryan who albeit has improved and picks 4-6 great passes a game but offers very little else, and ventre who will add a bit of bite but gives away far too many fouls and his positioning is atrocious. the game passes him by most days.he looked better at centre back last year to me. its hard to be critical of him when he gives his all but his all is not that much technically.
cook is reluctant to make substitutions as was seen by getting a bemused donninger to put his tracksuit on and off 40 times.
i know im being very critical as only 2 games gone but so far im seeing the same mistakes as last year and we all remember how depressing that was at times. the hardest part is when we get the ball down we all know we can play better football than the current champions.
its frustrating seeing us make the same mistakes this year and it confuses me how cook is blind to the fact. he done very little shouting last nite to the players and i feel he may well be too buddy buddy with a lot of them. thats the only conclusion i can come to with him continued picking of ryan and ventre. remember ryan was not even getting a contract this year in pre season and now he is first choice

Totally agree. It seems that Cook starts Ventre to stop the other team playing, which obviously isn't working, as opposed to focusing on how we can hurt them. Midfield is where we are having problems and there is an inability to link play from our back 4 to the wingers and strikers. Blinkhorn has a good touch and there is no need to bombard him with long balls. We need to get the ball down and do what we are best at, playing good football. Maybe Cook should show some more faith in the ability he has in the squad. At least Ventre will have to be dropped after 3 games time. (and I have nothing against Ventre for what its worth, he is a sound lad with a great attitude but he is no match winner)

[avvenalaf]

(and I have nothing against Ventre for what its worth, he is a sound lad with a great attitude but he is no match winner)

Without breaking sweat, i could name 24 lads in Sligo who are sound, with great attitudes but are not match winners. Now why are we paying Danny Ventre?.

[CarrickFan]

(and I have nothing against Ventre for what its worth, he is a sound lad with a great attitude but he is no match winner)

Without breaking sweat, i could name 24 lads in Sligo who are sound, with great attitudes but are not match winners. VentrNow why are we paying Danny e?.

In fairness he does always come over and clap at the end of the games!!!!!!!!!!

[Blowin_Rover]

In Fairness i didnt see the game last night but do agree with a lot of points made on this thread.I do like Doyle but I think he goes missing in games where he isnt seeing much of the ball,Danny plays with his heart on his sleeve but Defence is his best position and he gets caught too much in midfield.Blinky will prove he was worth signing if only he got the ball to feet instead of it coming down with snow on it. Conner needs to play to create a few moves from midfield,if the ball was played to feet more then the chances will flow.But my biggest beef is everyone back for corners and free kicks this cracks me up everytime, if two players were left on the half way line the opposing team will leave three back. Brushy has to try and see through 20 players to grab the ball and means no counter attack, Brushy should be encouraged to play the ball from the back instead of a massive kick that nine times out of ten lands squarely on the opposing centre halfs head. On a positive finish we have the class to do well,needs some serious tweaking though.

[roversman]

In fairness he does allways come over and clap at the end of the games!!!!!!!!!![/QUOTE]

well let him stay in the stand with ye and clap because hes not good enough for midfield

[CarrickFan]

In fairness he does allways come over and clap at the end of the games!!!!!!!!!!

well let him stay in the stand with ye and clap because hes not good enough for midfield[/QUOTE]

thats what i have been saying since last season and i got abused for it!!..penny is finally dropping with some people...hope Paul realises it now.

[rovers100%]

i honestly believe cook is to pally with ventre to drop him. cook has some great positives but also has a lot to learn and im now starting to feel that the great football we seen 2 years back was more down to the players than cooks tactic's.......... its very early to judge but when ya see the same mistakes a year on ya have to question cooks decisions. davoren may struggle this year as i dont think he is an out and out defender and doyle does nothing to help out the left back so adds extra work and pressure on him.
doyle needs to get a set of balls and not pull out of every tackle and help out a bit more defenivesly. we have a very capable team but if our tactics continue to be hoofing up the pitch it will be a dour season. we never had a better chance to finish 2nd or 3rd with cork and derry gone and a big squad this year so why cant we play good football with the confidence we need = the backs dont trust the midfield with the ball so its hoof, hoof, hoof out as quick as they can.

[roversman]

well let him stay in the stand with ye and clap because hes not good enough for midfield

thats what i have been saying since last season and i got abused for it!!..penny is finally dropping with some people...hope Paul realises it now.[/QUOTE]

i said it too last year and nearly got killed for it
but paul loves him just like benitez with lucas at liverpool

[rovers100%]

because we know rovers can play better and we expect more as fans. if ya fail to address the faults you are only covering over the cracks. we all know its not all that bad, but we have a serious chance of european football next year if the team changes and stops making the same mistakes they made last year.

[sligoman]

why does everyone look at the negatives and not look at the positives with our performances?Didn't hear you saying much positive stuff last night? You were saying Blinkhorn was having a shocker and you wanted to start a Conor O'Grady chant cos you thought he should have been playing. Think you also said we hadn't played that bad since UCD away 2 seasons ago?

[red bellied]

From what I heard O Grady doesnt expect to start many games, old injuries and his legs beginning to take its toll. Saying that if he got on for the last twenty minutes when Rovers started to get something going he would offered alot more than Ventre.

[rovers100%]

i dont think o grady is much better than ryan or ventre to be honest. who knows if donninger is the answer to our problems as we have seen very little of him to judge but he cant be much worse than the 2 we are playing. ther are positive with sligo rovers but unless the negatives are adressed we will be outside top 4 again