Bray Wanderers not getting credit deserved!

[KR's Post]

Cant help but feel lads Bray are not getting as much credit that is richly deserved!! After a turbulent season last year that almost resulted in relegation they have started this season like no other in the Premier divison. Beat Rovers in tallaght, only few teams can say that and came from 2 down to beat Pats @ Inchicore. Does anybody reckon Bray could challenge for a European Spot this season??:hat:

[aidz1]

I'm more impressed they replaced that wall!!

[Candystripe]

No, a great start but won't last the pace but will be comfortable above relegation zone.

Top four between Shams,Sligo,Derry,Dundalk,Pats and Bohs with Bray in 7th.

[peadar1987]

I'm more impressed they replaced that wall!!

Only on 3 sides though. They trust the people who sit in the tent!

[SkStu]

lack of credit or recognition for a very impressive set of results?

its the Devlin affect. :)

[Guinney]

Delvin has done an excellent job and Bray this year are a much improved side. By keeping last years squad and adding one or two more players he has brought stability to the club. I don't know how he did it but he kept good players like Dempsey and Jake Kelly. But ...


Does anybody reckon Bray could challenge for a European Spot this season??:hat:

My answer to this question would be NO. I reckon Bray will easily come ahead of UCD, Galway and Drogheda. But the other teams in the league are stronger IMO so that puts them at 7th place. But who knows anything could happen.

[peadar1987]

Delvin has done an excellent job and Bray this year are a much improved side. By keeping last years squad and adding one or two more players he has brought stability to the club. I don't know how he did it but he kept good players like Dempsey and Jake Kelly. But ...



My answer to this question would be NO. I reckon Bray will easily come ahead of UCD, Galway and Drogheda. But the other teams in the league are stronger IMO so that puts them at 7th place. But who knows anything could happen.


I think a lot's going to come down to luck this season. That group of teams near the top have all looked very evenly matched. I think Sligo and Shams will still be a cut above, but for 3rd, it's a toss-up between Bray, Dundalk, Pat's, Bohs, and Derry. A few key injuries for either side could see them slip back, but I don't think any of those sides have enough in the tank to carry them clear if they do have a crisis to deal with. Is our recent success going to my head? Possibly!

[dfx-]

So far, I'd be putting Bray ahead of Pats and Bohs and the bottom three. None of those sides have depth either really so in the long run Bray can get above them.

[Guinney]

I think a lot's going to come down to luck this season. That group of teams near the top have all looked very evenly matched. I think Sligo and Shams will still be a cut above, but for 3rd, it's a toss-up between Bray, Dundalk, Pat's, Bohs, and Derry. A few key injuries for either side could see them slip back, but I don't think any of those sides have enough in the tank to carry them clear if they do have a crisis to deal with. Is our recent success going to my head? Possibly!

Good point. At the moment Dundalk are riddled with injuries (Maher, Bolger & Osborne have long term injuries and Bennett & Guthrie currently out aswell). Our 19 man squad is stretched. Only Shamrock Rovers have a large squad that could deal with a big injury crisis. What Bray have is really good manager (one of my fav in the league) and a bunch of players who obviously want to do well for him. But overall Bray don't have the same amount of talent as the like of Dundalk, Derry and Pats have. An injury to someone like Danny O'Connor and Dempsey and Bray would lack experience and would struggle. But as you said whether a team has many injuries is mainly down to luck.

[maksimir]

Cant help but feel lads Bray are not getting as much credit that is richly deserved!! After a turbulent season last year that almost resulted in relegation they have started this season like no other in the Premier divison. Beat Rovers in tallaght, only few teams can say that and came from 2 down to beat Pats @ Inchicore. Does anybody reckon Bray could challenge for a European Spot this season??:hat:

Tbf it's not just yourselves re: lack of recognition, and with the Shamrock Rovers obsessed press having a derby game to concentrate on you were never going to get top billing this weekend anyways. I'd concentrate on silently working away as sometimes too much coverage leads to over expectation and then the wrong type of recognition when results might go the other way! Btw try being in the first division and getting over 2,000 like we did at turners cross on friday, scoring five, conceding none, top of the league and not even getting two words in The Sun the next day - now that is a lack of recognition. Good luck to Wanderers for the rest of the season.

[Roo69]

I'd perfer the media stay away from us being honest, just let the team get on with what they are doing. The great thing about it is that Kelly or O'Neill are yet to find form so hopefully when the 2 lads start playing well we can really push on. It's been an excellent start by us but there is a LONG way to go and with the very limited resources that we have it will be tough to keep it up all season.

[Charlie Darwin]

Cant help but feel lads Bray are not getting as much credit that is richly deserved!! After a turbulent season last year that almost resulted in relegation they have started this season like no other in the Premier divison. Beat Rovers in tallaght, only few teams can say that and came from 2 down to beat Pats @ Inchicore. Does anybody reckon Bray could challenge for a European Spot this season??:hat:
Only if yous play away from home every week.

[BonnieShels]

Came into work this morning and to my surprise not one person was giving Bray any credit.

It was all "City this; United that". Just goes to show the appetite in here for First Division football.

[Stevo Da Gull]

Doesn't really matter if we're being patted on the back or not. We've had a good start and we've got the players to keep on getting results. Next up is Galway at home, if we get three points in that game and nothing good is said about us, I'll still be smiling!

[peadar1987]

Doesn't really matter if we're being patted on the back or not. We've had a good start and we've got the players to keep on getting results. Next up is Galway at home, if we get three points in that game and nothing good is said about us, I'll still be smiling!

The only thing is a bit of hype could get a few more people through the gates. The lads are playing brilliantly, but the crowds have been fairly ****e recently.

[Macy]

The only thing is a bit of hype could get a few more people through the gates. The lads are playing brilliantly, but the crowds have been fairly ****e recently.
It's probably premier division standard, but €15 still seems a touch steep to me for the Carlisle. In these tight times it's stopped me heading down as a neutral a few times, whereas a tenner I probably would've. I know it's a tough balancing act on prices v increased punters (lowering price doesn't necessarily mean increased crowds), but still that'd be my tuppence.

[Hurt Locker]

Their should be a big crowd this Friday V Galway, Bray have to be hot favorites for the game. Prediction 3-1 Bray

[peadar1987]

Their should be a big crowd this Friday V Galway, Bray have to be hot favorites for the game. Prediction 3-1 Bray


Nooo! Stop giving us the credit we deserve, you'll ruin everything!! :)

[WoodquayBoy]

Bray's home record is pretty poor - 1 win in four games - and it is your away form that has them flying so high. That said, we're not exactly inspiring confidence now so would imagine ye'll make it 3 wins on the spin on Friday. Ye do deserve ceredit for the start ye've had, but I can't see ye maintaining that (although I would be delighted to be proved wrong, nice to see on of the 'lesser' clubs doing so well). Then again, in 2009 we had a similar start (12 points from first 7 games, as opposed to Bray's 13 from seven), including wins over Pats and Dundalk, and draws with Sligo and Derry. We finished 8th, just above the play-off spots. Be excited about your start, but don't get carried away

[TenaciousDee]

No harm but the same could be said about Derry City. Monday Night the only positive thing said about them was how class McClean's second goal was despite the fact our 4-1 victory moved us to joined top.

[Hurt Locker]

Really looking forward to a good match on friday, going to take in few sun rays walk the promenade have a few beers then head to the match if my factor 50 sun block works!

WoodquayBoy what do u put down to Galways poorish start? What do the supporters think of Sean Connor?

[Hurt Locker]

No harm but the same could be said about Derry City. Monday Night the only positive thing said about them was how class McClean's second goal was despite the fact our 4-1 victory moved us to joined top.

Much bigger news story if Bray go top of the table imo as they have never won the league in their history. Would really be a fairytale come true if they did this !!!

[WoodquayBoy]

WoodquayBoy what do u put down to Galways poorish start? What do the supporters think of Sean Connor?
Most think he is doing a good job with the resources at his disposal, but the usual few are getting worked up about how fixed he seems to be in his team selection, and his refusal to give some of the younger lads a go. I can see both points - young lads might not be good enough, but on the other hand, the performances of the shower who are playing now are not exactly up to scratch either. On balance, though, those giving off now forget how close we came in January to not actually having a team to moan about.
The poor start is down to decisions taken by the board around four years ago when they threw a whole pile of cash at Tony Cousins. We are paying for that folly ever since with massive debts and creditors all over the place, meaning a lot of our money has to go towards clearing up that mess. As a result, there is no meaningful budget there to bring in any quality, while we regularly lose our best players to other clubs and, this season, a couple of promising young local lads turned down approaches from United, with Daryl Horgan going to Sligo and Rory Gaffney staying with Mervue. At least now, with the fans running the club, we are tackling that debt and trying to rebuild bridges locally, which to be honest has to be the priority. When that is under control, we can look at bolstering the squad, but I imagine that this year we'll at least finish above Drogheda, and as long as we avoid relegaiton, this will have been the most successful season in the club's history - going from no licence and being booted out of the league to retaining top flight status.

[RahenyBohs]

Their best ever start to a premier division season isn't it?

[Martinho II]

Their best ever start to a premier division season isn't it?

yep it most certainly is.. they are now second in the table.

[Mr Maroon]

We made it very very easy for them tonight.

[Hurt Locker]

Most think he is doing a good job with the resources at his disposal, but the usual few are getting worked up about how fixed he seems to be in his team selection, and his refusal to give some of the younger lads a go. I can see both points - young lads might not be good enough, but on the other hand, the performances of the shower who are playing now are not exactly up to scratch either. On balance, though, those giving off now forget how close we came in January to not actually having a team to moan about.
The poor start is down to decisions taken by the board around four years ago when they threw a whole pile of cash at Tony Cousins. We are paying for that folly ever since with massive debts and creditors all over the place, meaning a lot of our money has to go towards clearing up that mess. As a result, there is no meaningful budget there to bring in any quality, while we regularly lose our best players to other clubs and, this season, a couple of promising young local lads turned down approaches from United, with Daryl Horgan going to Sligo and Rory Gaffney staying with Mervue. At least now, with the fans running the club, we are tackling that debt and trying to rebuild bridges locally, which to be honest has to be the priority. When that is under control, we can look at bolstering the squad, but I imagine that this year we'll at least finish above Drogheda, and as long as we avoid relegaiton, this will have been the most successful season in the club's history - going from no licence and being booted out of the league to retaining top flight status.

Very sorry to hear about yer massive debts, but great the club is still alive.
Galway didn't have any bottle on friday, plus more pub team defending, don't like being negative but some Galway players need to be put on the chopping block. One thing about the drogs is that their giving youth its fling!

[legendz]

Bray are doing well. They seem to have kicked on from their strong finish to last season. I think they'll finish 7th at least. Though currently 5th, I'm not sure that they will keep ahead of Pat's and Dundalk.

[SupaJon]

7th could be good enough for a European or Setanta cup place next season.

[peadar1987]

7th could be good enough for a European or Setanta cup place next season.


I've heard they're restructuring all the European competitions next season, so all we have to do is not finish bottom, and make sure we get a license ;)

[SupaJon]

You've also got the inevitable couple of clubs getting into financial strife, which should bump us up a few league places.

[KR's Post]

:ball:Are Bray now considered realistic title challengers?? Or will they fall off at the far end of the season! Beaten Rovers twic and inform young striker Conor Murphy banging the goals in??? Thoughts??

[sligoman]

:ball:Are Bray now considered realistic title challengers?? Or will they fall off at the far end of the season! Beaten Rovers twic and inform young striker Conor Murphy banging the goals in??? Thoughts??Not title challengers, will compete for 5th place with Dundalk & Bohs imo. Which would still be a great season, all things considered.

[ped_ped]

This thread's gonna be updated every time Bray win, isn't it? :D

Naw, in all seriousness they've really pushed on this year and made the most out of Galway and Bohs falling down to put themselves in among the European spots and well above relegation. Murphy's been a revelation and I hope they keep pressing on.

[peadar1987]

:ball:Are Bray now considered realistic title challengers?? Or will they fall off at the far end of the season! Beaten Rovers twic and inform young striker Conor Murphy banging the goals in??? Thoughts??

I think Rovers are too far ahead of us. As I said earlier on in the season (quite possibly in this very thread), it'll be down to injuries, suspensions, fatigue, and the form of individual players to sort out the chasing pack. If we get lucky, and other sides don't, second place should be within our reach. It would take something exceptional for one of the sides in the chasing pack to break free and overtake Rovers with the sort of strength in depth they have in Tallaght. With the small squads of many of the sides in mid table, the fact that we're out of two of the three cup competitions could be a point in our favour.

[KR's Post]

Currently have average of 1.8 points per game. Would get them near the 65 point mark if they kept that up!! 65 points will go close!! Believe!!!

[holidaysong]

When did Bray last play in Europe, if ever?

EDIT: The UEFA Cup after winning the FAI Cup in 1999.

[The Lilywhites]

Now a good time to pull this back to the top? :)

[Charlie Darwin]

That's not very nice :p

[legendz]

Ah they have been doing well this season and did carry their good form from the end of last through to this season. They've gone down the table a bit over the last few weeks but maybe teams are preparing differently and better for the Bray challenge.

[Ezeikial]

Bray are a fine team with a battling style.

Even with Dundalk 3-1 ahead and Bray down to 10 men the game was still alive. In fact they were unlucky not to score at that point. The game was only sorted when Dundalk got the 4th.