View Full Version : Weekend games (30 April)
poster
02/05/2010, 3:31 PM
Sligo fans still going for that 3rd place finish ? Its a club I like, but the amount of cocky posts on here in Feb/Mar about such a high table finish was just incredible.
I wasn't part of this forum back then, but if I had been I definetly wouldn't have predicted a 3rd place finish. We're too weak at the back. Paul Whelan and Iarfliath Davoren are First Division players, Danny Ventre's a liability and Alan Keane is guarenteed to gift the opposition at least three chances a game. We're missing Almeida now for what looks like forever and he's a big loss. We have quality in attack with Ryan, Ndo, McCabe, Blinks, Amond and Dillon though. I see us finishing sixth at highest unless we sign a decent centre half.
Although I don't like to say it I really can't see Dundalk consistently holding a top 2/3 position.
Ezeikial
02/05/2010, 4:21 PM
Although I don't like to say it I really can't see Dundalk consistently holding a top 2/3 position.
To be fair most Dundalk fans (including Oriel in the post you replied to) see it as being a tall task to retain a top 2/3 position to the end of the season. This is directly due to the absense of depth in the squad. The regular starting eleven can take on any team in the league, but with only Cawley, Mulvenna (both injured for most of the season to date) and Gregg the only ones with any real premier experience beyond that, it will be hard to overcome injuries and suspensions as they arise.
Foster and Hatswell have done a tremendous job to date and Dundalk have been playing great "on-the-ground" football . If we get some luck with injuries, suspensions and individual form a top three finish is a real possibility. The obvious alternative of adding two or three players to the squad would be great, but finances are unlikely to allow this.
pineapple stu
02/05/2010, 4:37 PM
There are a lot of new players in the squad and, as is often the case, it doesnt always work out as you want or as quickly as you'd like.
In fairness, Bohs are a full-time club two months into the season. I don't think the "They're still getting to know each other" excuse has any validity at this stage.
The Betting Man
02/05/2010, 4:52 PM
Maybe its time for everyone (myself included) to recognise what a quality side Fingal are. If they can build up their home support, they would be a good addition to the PD.
Didnt think they were impressive last Monday against us although we are the only team to have beaten them this season
pineapple stu
02/05/2010, 4:58 PM
Weren't that impressive against us either. Excellent on paper, but don't play up to that at all.
sligoman
02/05/2010, 5:02 PM
Any team that has Glen Crowe still starting aren't quality...
Maybe its time for everyone (myself included) to recognise what a quality side Fingal are. If they can build up their home support, they would be a good addition to the PD.
At least you included yoursef there. most people in this thread (http://foot.ie/threads/132136-What-an-off-season-now-the-actual-season) had them finishing in top 3.
Except you ;)
I`d do with
1. Bohs
2. Rovers (- 3 pts)
4. Dundalk
Hard to call the rest, def agree with Sligo/Pats all same standard as us, I just have a feeling Fingal will not deliver.
pineapple stu
02/05/2010, 5:06 PM
Any team that has Glen Crowe still starting aren't quality...
Did he start against ye? I think when we played them a couple of weeks ago, he had yet to start. Was coming on as a sub mostentimes.
Any team that has Glen Crowe still starting aren't quality...
He's only started three this season. He'd have at least that and more if he was with any club bar Bohs this season
Lamper.sffc
02/05/2010, 7:18 PM
Weren't that impressive against us either. Excellent on paper, but don't play up to that at all.
One of our worst displays this season tbh.
Any team that has Glen Crowe still starting aren't quality...
So then, what would say about the team who got beat by the team who started Glen Crowe :)
Has only started two games bdw ;)
Tbh its been very up and down so far this season. Some good displays and some bad. There are glimpses of what the team are capable of but I somtimes feel Buckley can be a little too negative. Needs to start playing with 2 up imo.
Yep - spot on Dodge, I`ll give you that one. Lamper decent article in Irish Mail today re SFFC.
sligoman
02/05/2010, 7:59 PM
So then, what would say about the team who got beat by the team who started Glen Crowe :)You weren't at the game...if you were, you'd have seen ye didn't deserve to win.
Needs to start playing with 2 up imoHe did last night anyway...that's if Crowe counts as being a striker;).
They scored and kept a clean sheet. Of course they deserved to win. Posession and chances count for nothing
Lamper.sffc
02/05/2010, 11:33 PM
You weren't at the game...if you were, you'd have seen ye didn't deserve to win.He did last night anyway...that's if Crowe counts as being a striker;).
Not really a reply to what i was getting at but anyway.
I wasnt at the game, your right. First game iv missed so far this season.
So from what your telling me we had two up front? Suprised if that was the case. Have nt gone with a 4-4-2 in god knows how long. Are you sure it wasnt just Crowe up front supported by conan on the right and Zayed on the left. That would be more in keeping with how we play and have been playing for well over a year now. Where did Mc Faul play out of interest.
Lamper.sffc
02/05/2010, 11:38 PM
Yep - spot on Dodge, I`ll give you that one. Lamper decent article in Irish Mail today re SFFC.
Not a paper I tend to buy. Good article I hope.:o
Magicme
03/05/2010, 1:23 AM
Well on the dance off scale: Mons 3-0 Mervue
OOOooooh yeah.
Lamps - The article paints a very progressive picture of the club.
Poor oul Salthill ain't gonna finish this season. Wouldn't be surprised if Mervue folded too.
why would probably the 2 richest clubs in the LOI not make the end of season?
showgies
03/05/2010, 9:38 AM
Not really a reply to what i was getting at but anyway.
I wasnt at the game, your right. First game iv missed so far this season.
So from what your telling me we had two up front? Suprised if that was the case. Have nt gone with a 4-4-2 in god knows how long. Are you sure it wasnt just Crowe up front supported by conan on the right and Zayed on the left. That would be more in keeping with how we play and have been playing for well over a year now. Where did Mc Faul play out of interest.
McFaul played in the middle of the park, Zayed did a lot of defending for a forward, practically played left back.
White Horse
03/05/2010, 11:06 AM
To be fair most Dundalk fans (including Oriel in the post you replied to) see it as being a tall task to retain a top 2/3 position to the end of the season. This is directly due to the absense of depth in the squad. If we get some luck with injuries, suspensions and individual form a top three finish is a real possibility. The obvious alternative of adding two or three players to the squad would be great, but finances are unlikely to allow this.
LOI finances are a mystery to me. Dundalk have no real debt and have the second best attendances in the League.
Why is the budget so restricted? Is Dundalk the only team at the top of the league balancing their finances?
Nah Nah Nah Nah
03/05/2010, 11:17 AM
Not really a reply to what i was getting at but anyway.
I wasnt at the game, your right. First game iv missed so far this season.
So from what your telling me we had two up front? Suprised if that was the case. Have nt gone with a 4-4-2 in god knows how long. Are you sure it wasnt just Crowe up front supported by conan on the right and Zayed on the left. That would be more in keeping with how we play and have been playing for well over a year now. Where did Mc Faul play out of interest.
Yeah Crowe was up front on his own. Probably had miss of the season as well when the ball came to him a few yards out and rather then tap it in he decided to control it, take his time and then watch as Brush saved it. He was pretty bad the whole match though. Couldn't believe it when O'Neill wasn't starting.
Very good game actually. Pretty even first half but we were well on top the second half. Should have gotten a draw out of it. Didn't. Such is life.
Acornvilla
03/05/2010, 11:21 AM
i assume there are no games on tv tonight? do rte show any games live on their website?
Dodge
03/05/2010, 12:41 PM
No live games on RTE, no games on the website that aren't on TV
MNS is on though
eL Bettor
03/05/2010, 12:55 PM
Dundalk v Rovers is LIVE on Setanta
Sam_Heggy
03/05/2010, 12:56 PM
Dundalk and Rovers is on Setanta
Dodge
03/05/2010, 12:57 PM
LOL, I totally forgot about checking Setanta...
The Betting Man
03/05/2010, 1:41 PM
Crowe should of scored 2 goals last Monday as well missed 2 great chances which he should of scored but somehow when it looked easier to score his missed.I thought Fingal played 4-4-2 last Monday but was happy to see Crowe up front instead of Zayed who I think is a very good striker just dont get why Buckley plays him on the left when they play 4-5-1
Agreed - budget should equal quality and quality should equal points. Bohs and Fenlon have dramatically underperformed.
To put it into context - for Bohs the cost per point won to date (based on estimated budget) is about €5,500 - €6,000, whereas for Pats and Dundalk its in the region of €1,500 per point.
ive tried being reasonable but i have to say that that is one of the worst attempts to put something into context ive ever read on this forum. Its ridiculous.
I imagine that the vast majority of Pats and Dundalk supporters are very content with the performances of the respective teams and managers.
easily pleased. Going by just how overwhelmingly average we've been, im surprised everyone else has been equally as overwhelmingly average and not taken advantage.
easily pleased. Going by just how overwhelmingly average we've been, im surprised everyone else has been equally as overwhelmingly average
Surely some thing can't be overwhelminglt average. Maybe under whelmigly average?
Regardless, Pats fans have absolutely every right to be over the moon with how the manager and players have performed so far. Limited budget, completely new team but everyone of them work hard, play for each other and we're top of the league and in a cup final
The talent level may dictate that we'll end up with nothing and in mid table but it won't be down to the manager and the spirit within the team.
From what I've seen of Duindalk so far, they have similar attributes to ourselves. Won't speak for them but from having had to watch very talented footballers with awfu attitudes last year, I'll take this bunch of tryers every single season.
osarusan
03/05/2010, 6:05 PM
Surely being 'average' indicates no whelming of any kind.
Surely being 'average' indicates no whelming of any kind.
Perhaps, or maybe he was just straight up whelmed
Surely some thing can't be overwhelminglt average. Maybe under whelmigly average?
hey Dodge, i didnt coin that one! That was in P-Stu's original critique.
but yeah, i get your point. If its more about exceeding expectations then youre absolutely right. All i was saying was if a team is looking at winning the title then it would be kicking itself that it hasnt taken advantage of our poor form. Its easy to criticise the poor form of Bohs right now but it wont last and nobody is really taking advantage of it anyway and maybe posters like Ezekial should be looking at that side of it too.
Lamper.sffc
03/05/2010, 6:43 PM
McFaul played in the middle of the park, Zayed did a lot of defending for a forward, practically played left back.
Yeah it sometimes looks like that. For all our potential attacking options we can be sometimes way too negative.
Yeah Crowe was up front on his own. Probably had miss of the season as well when the ball came to him a few yards out and rather then tap it in he decided to control it, take his time and then watch as Brush saved it. He was pretty bad the whole match though. Couldn't believe it when O'Neill wasn't starting.
Very good game actually. Pretty even first half but we were well on top the second half. Should have gotten a draw out of it. Didn't. Such is life.
Its been the story of his season so far. Not that he has played a lot though. He hasnt produced anything for us in the time he has been on the pitch. Why O Neil was on the bench is beyond me. He has been our best player this season. Even when he is not on his game, he is still putting in the work. Tireless player for us.
Crowe should of scored 2 goals last Monday as well missed 2 great chances which he should of scored but somehow when it looked easier to score his missed.I thought Fingal played 4-4-2 last Monday but was happy to see Crowe up front instead of Zayed who I think is a very good striker just dont get why Buckley plays him on the left when they play 4-5-1
I thought we signed crowe from you s:confused:. He was your best player on the night :).
It was our usual 4-3-3. Its just a little more attacking at home.
The way I see it is, Zayed is a goal scorer. One of the best finishers in the league. He gets a chance he tends to score. This is not always the case for O Neil but O Neil is a work horse, something Zayed isnt. Doesnt make sense to play Zayed out wide where the position requires a lot more work than Zayed is willing to put in. We should just pop him up front where he is most effective. While O Neil would do a great job out there on the left.
Personally I hate this so called 4-3-3. I felt it was one of the reasons why our league position was third last year. Too negative at times. I like the good old 4-4-2. Would love to see O Neil and Zayed up front in a partnership. I dont think this has even happened once since both players have come to the club:(. A waste if you ask me.
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