Series 22 and 19.

[outspoken]

I don't know what they're doing in training but it doesn't appear to be working on tactics. Cousins gave Philip Coffey the flick for being "too defensive and old fashioned" apparently. I'm not saying he was a tactical genius either but things sure as hell haven't improved since he left. Depressing stuff.

I know a lot of people weren't big PC fans but I use to always watch him at games and whenever there was a set piece he was out barking out orders and if any player was somewhere they shouldn't have been by God he let them know it. Tonight there were 4 Mervue players on the edge of the box it was so clear they were rolling it short but no one coped it on the bench and as a result they scored only then did Gary Cronin decide to write something down its flipping laughable

[outspoken]

Again Cousins' lack of a plan B has cost him. I forget how many times he re-shuffled the back 4? i know an injury forced one but playing Gorman at right back??? Shaw lasting another 70 mins while Purdy sat again for the whole night on the bench. Also he seems intent on forcing long ball football. At one stage in the first half Gorman came for a short ball from Bennion to try and get something going from the back and Cousins roars at Gorman to get back up the pitch!! I think Cousins has sh*t himself and that's filtering through the team.

Does anyone else get the impression he takes a dislike to certain players and just leaves them out for weeks on end as a result. Purdy hasn't played a prominent role in weeks! Yes he was in poor form so he was totally right to bench him but when his replacement doesn't do his job you put him back in and hope he got the kick up the arse he needs. He done the same for McCarthy and he's doing the same with Gavin Doyle. It's horrific management.

[Town Legend]

Time for the Rovers Board to realise they've got it wrong again and start to target a new manager for next season as Croly just isn't up to it - more than even chance that we'll fail to even qualify for Europe , with the resources available this season and last are a abject failure on account of conservative board members who are more concerned with ensuring their own pay packets are safe rather than investing in the right manager- real pity as we could of become Ireland's version of Rosenberg but small minded thinking by the main players on our Board have let us down.

If ye want we'll give ye Cousins.....we'll even pay ye money as well as part of the deal!!

[Nesta99]

Was that when we beat ye in Oriel?

Bloody hell! We are ridiculously inconsistent.

No, it was being 0-2 up at Limerick and losing 3-2.:(

[gormacha]

but Mervue played us off the park.

You're not the first team they've done that to this season. They are genuine promotion contenders, which I've been banging on about on here for ages.

[pineapple stu]

No, it was being 0-2 up at Limerick and losing 3-2.:(
Ah right. Just checked there and the UCD game was the one just before the start of that run.

At this stage, we've beaten yourselves and Derry away, got four points off Rovers and yet only four points from six games against Bohs, Bray and Shels. Crazy stuff.

[dundalkfc10]

Time for the Rovers Board to realise they've got it wrong again and start to target a new manager for next season as Croly just isn't up to it - more than even chance that we'll fail to even qualify for Europe , with the resources available this season and last are a abject failure on account of conservative board members who are more concerned with ensuring their own pay packets are safe rather than investing in the right manager- real pity as we could of become Ireland's version of Rosenberg but small minded thinking by the main players on our Board have let us down.

All your fans said the same last year, We in Dundalk are delighted with that decision :)

[Nesta99]

Ah right. Just checked there and the UCD game was the one just before the start of that run.

At this stage, we've beaten yourselves and Derry away, got four points off Rovers and yet only four points from six games against Bohs, Bray and Shels. Crazy stuff.

I know what ye mean, we beat Pats, Derry, and Sligo away, slipped up to UCD at home and threw away points against Limerick. We also picked up points from losing positions agains Drogs and Lims at home and Cork away and by all accounts just hung against Bray! Shams next week and see how we go in the final round, suffer it all again lol

[oriel]

Lol wow.


LOL indeed, we were once the 2nd most sucessful side, 11 years w.o a trophy was enough to put us down to 4th now, 1. Rovers 2. Bohs 3. Shels......could be wrong in the order of 2 and 3, but saw something before on this and only PD leagues and FAI Cups count in the order of merit.

As for 2013, I still dont think we will win it, but with 11 games to go and sitting in 2nd spot, we have a chance, thats for sure plus momentum is building with each win. If we beat Pats for a 3rd time in Sept that might change things, but I still cant see a title win. Seem to think a 3rd place finish might be our limits, european qualification would a terrific achievement, probably would be disappointed with less.

[jinxy lilywhite]

I have to say I love the way we are being written off. its great. this team fears no one and more or less everyone in oriel is enjoying the ride while it lasts. For me though I believe we have 11 cup finals from now until the end of the season. We can beat all the teams in the league. This season does remind me of the last time we won the league in 94/95. even in the last day of the season we were still being discounted.

[Spudulika]

Is it not more of a case, CJ, that the people running the club are the ones who rescued it and now just can't let go, not that they're paranoid or greedy (jobs aside they have invested years of their lives fighting for Rovers). Knowing some of them I cannot fault them for their decency and love for the club, though maybe that love is going to protect the club long term. Now is the time to become self-sustainable for players etc, but I don't see that being implemented yet.

[oriel]

I thought Crolly was a very poor choice at the start of the season, his interviews on MNS back it up, just never seems to be worried about the lack of wins, always going on about making chances, no good if you can't score, especially with the quality they have.

He is clearly not getting enough out of the players and seems unsure of his first xi. The quality on the bench is just ridiculous, almost all would walk into the top 4 sides starting sides, and yet if they lose to Dundalk next week, they will be 10 points behind us, and I'd say it will almost end their league euro hopes.

Simple logic, if you sack a manager, you need to have a better one lined up, and this just didn't happen. I know Rovers fans will not be thankful of Kennys reign, but its clear as day he is a much better manager than Crolly.

[Cuyahoga]

Extratime.ie has gone asleep. no updates since kick off in the Limerick v Derry City game and there is about 43 minutes gone now.

[hoops1]

Didn't think Rovers ever looked like scoring last night. Sligo definately had the better of the few chances. Croly made some odd tactical decisions to say the least. Our two centre halves held us together even if Oman couldn't pass water. Robinson a total passenger. Wingers playing on their weaker sides. Cretaro mom for me. Sligo still my choice for the league

[outspoken]

Extratime.ie has gone asleep. no updates since kick off in the Limerick v Derry City game and there is about 43 minutes gone now.

No updates till the second half in Longford yesterday because the reporter was at a GAH match.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Didn't think Rovers ever looked like scoring last night. Sligo definately had the better of the few chances. Croly made some odd tactical decisions to say the least. Our two centre halves held us together even if Oman couldn't pass water. Robinson a total passenger. Wingers playing on their weaker sides. Cretaro mom for me. Sligo still my choice for the league

I thought Cretaro was awful. Got himself into some great areas and messed up on numerous occasions.

We need to win in Derry on Friday to have any chance

[nigel-harps1954]

Extratime.ie has gone asleep. no updates since kick off in the Limerick v Derry City game and there is about 43 minutes gone now.

No report up for Harps v Wexford either, which I haven't seen in quite some time.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Derry one up on Limerick. Listening along with 95FM. Sounds like dire stuff. Commentary team are being super-critical of Taylor and his tactics.

[outspoken]

Derry one up on Limerick. Listening along with 95FM. Sounds like dire stuff. Commentary team are being super-critical of Taylor and his tactics.

Limerick might just be starting to look over their shoulder slightly now after another defeat. Very tight at the bottom anyone could go down (not that limerick will) but they could be drawn into a scrap if they dont get a result soon.

[Calcio Jack]

Is it not more of a case, CJ, that the people running the club are the ones who rescued it and now just can't let go, not that they're paranoid or greedy (jobs aside they have invested years of their lives fighting for Rovers). Knowing some of them I cannot fault them for their decency and love for the club, though maybe that love is going to protect the club long term. Now is the time to become self-sustainable for players etc, but I don't see that being implemented yet.

Most are as you say are decent people who are also fans with a love for the club - my point is that they have taken the club as far as they are capable ( a couple of them could be kept) as they simply don't have the capability.

The issue is not any more simply that they choose the wrong manager twice - it's that they know they have missed a golden opportunity and are now operating under a siege mentality and are alienating much of the fanbase (who also dug deep into their pockets and time to save the club) reality is their time has passed so they should be thanked but they need to move aside voluntarily before being pushed.

[patsdad]

Interesting to see the mentions of consistency. If anything, St Pats' consistency is being underestimated. They lost 2 of their first 4 while the new signings were settlng into tne team. Their record in the last 17 league games is:

- 12 wins
- 4 draws
- 1 defeat.

That one defeat was the direct result of having a player sent off in the first half while away to one of the other challengers. Any team can have a bad break like that, but you have to discount it when assessing their form.

In 14 games against the bottom 7 they have 13 wins and a draw. Unlike the other title chasers, they are ruthlessly efficient against the weaker teams.

The fact that some pundits (especially on MNS) are still touting the prospects of the two Rovers is a mystery to me. Sligo have the princely total of 16 points from their last 13 games. The Hoops have only won 8 out of 22 and are 10 points behind with a game more played. Neither has the remotest chance of winning the league.

Derry and Dundalk are the only realistic challengers, but unless Pats slump dramatically from their recent form they'll win it by a margin. If you disagree, the bookies are happy to offer you very generous odds.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Interesting to see the mentions of consistency. If anything, St Pats' consistency is being underestimated. They lost 2 of their first 4 while the new signings were settlng into tne team. Their record in the last 17 league games is:

- 12 wins
- 4 draws
- 1 defeat.

That one defeat was the direct result of having a player sent off in the first half while away to one of the other challengers. Any team can have a bad break like that, but you have to discount it when assessing their form.

In 14 games against the bottom 7 they have 13 wins and a draw. Unlike the other title chasers, they are ruthlessly efficient against the weaker teams.

The fact that some pundits (especially on MNS) are still touting the prospects of the two Rovers is a mystery to me. Sligo have the princely total of 16 points from their last 13 games. The Hoops have only won 8 out of 22 and are 10 points behind with a game more played. Neither has the remotest chance of winning the league.

Derry and Dundalk are the only realistic challengers, but unless Pats slump dramatically from their recent form they'll win it by a margin. If you disagree, the bookies are happy to offer you very generous odds.

I certainly wouldnt write us out of it yet. Only 6 points back and beginning to get our full squad back fit finally. Still Pats to lose mind. All it'll take will be a Killian Brennan injury mind.....

[Jofspring]

Sickend tonight. Thought we were on top and Derry looked tired until they scored. We were well out of it after that. Only a few signings away from being a very decent team though.

[outspoken]

Sickend tonight. Thought we were on top and Derry looked tired until they scored. We were well out of it after that. Only a few signings away from being a very decent team though.

Ye've been lacking a clinical goal scorer all season, maybe ye should have kept Behan just as a back up, always good to have a plan B with 5 minutes left on the clock.

[Jofspring]

Definitely. An attacking midfielder, goalscorer and centre half and we will be a very handy side.

[jinxy lilywhite]

Interesting to see the mentions of consistency. If anything, St Pats' consistency is being underestimated. They lost 2 of their first 4 while the new signings were settlng into tne team. Their record in the last 17 league games is:

- 12 wins
- 4 draws
- 1 defeat.

That one defeat was the direct result of having a player sent off in the first half while away to one of the other challengers. Any team can have a bad break like that, but you have to discount it when assessing their form.

In 14 games against the bottom 7 they have 13 wins and a draw. Unlike the other title chasers, they are ruthlessly efficient against the weaker teams.

The fact that some pundits (especially on MNS) are still touting the prospects of the two Rovers is a mystery to me. Sligo have the princely total of 16 points from their last 13 games. The Hoops have only won 8 out of 22 and are 10 points behind with a game more played. Neither has the remotest chance of winning the league.

Derry and Dundalk are the only realistic challengers, but unless Pats slump dramatically from their recent form they'll win it by a margin. If you disagree, the bookies are happy to offer you very generous odds.

a bad break, he was lucky he didn't break the guys leg lol. I thought dlk had you well sussed that day and also the other time we beat you in Inchicore in the first series. I don't believe it is pats to lose, it is far too tight. Rovers and Sligo probably need to go on an 11 game winning run to win the league. Dundalk and Derry are definitely well capable of putting a decent run together. it is going to be I hope some finish to the season

[Ezeikial]

Derry and Dundalk are the only realistic challengers, but unless Pats slump dramatically from their recent form they'll win it by a margin. If you disagree, the bookies are happy to offer you very generous odds.

Pats form has been excellent - hence they are top of the table and 5/6 favourites with Paddy Power

Other betting:
2/1 Sligo Rovers
6/1 Derry City
11/1 Dundalk
20/1 Shamrock Rovers

[avvenalaf]

Pats form has been excellent - hence they are top of the table and 5/6 favourites with Paddy Power

Other betting:
2/1 Sligo Rovers
6/1 Derry City
11/1 Dundalk
20/1 Shamrock Rovers

Paddy Power isn't offering any odds on title npw - just who will finish bottom. I expect The Bit o'Red to win thier next five matches and we'll see where that takes us.

[Sheridan]

We have won 8 drew 1 and lost 1 of our last 10 games! Is that not consistency?
Sorry compañero, consistency, by definition, is a season-long phenomenon. Though Bucko vs. Kenny will make for an intriguing Battle of the Bottlers.

[Ezeikial]

Paddy Power isn't offering any odds on title npw - just who will finish bottom. I expect The Bit o'Red to win thier next five matches and we'll see where that takes us.

Why do you say that?

The league title odds quoted are still live on their site this morning

http://www.paddypower.com/football/irish-football/airtricity-league-premier-division?ev_oc_grp_ids=104106

[Dodge]

a bad break, he was lucky he didn't break the guys leg lol. I thought dlk had you well sussed that day and also the other time we beat you in Inchicore in the first series.

To be fair Pats were the better team for an hour in Oriel and deservedly went ahead. Gifted Dundalk the winner too. In the game in Inchicore Dundalk were deservedly ahead at half time but 3nd half saw Brennan introduced and Pats dominated. Brendan Clarke has made 2 absolute howlers this year and both led to Dundalk winners.

[Ezeikial]

To be fair Pats were the better team for an hour in Oriel and deservedly went ahead. Gifted Dundalk the winner too. In the game in Inchicore Dundalk were deservedly ahead at half time but 3nd half saw Brennan introduced and Pats dominated. Brendan Clarke has made 2 absolute howlers this year and both led to Dundalk winners.

I don't disagree for the most part with this analysis.

Dundalk deserved the win in Inchicore, despite the impressive Killian Brennan led second half fightback.
Pats deserved a draw in Oriel Pk, despite Killian Brennan's recklessness.

Brendan Clarke and Killian Brennan were central characters in both matches.

I look forward to seeking the treble of league victories in Richmond Park in September

[desaintsno.12]

Make no mistake, Pat's are gonna win the league by default this year. The lack of a serious big-name challenger will prevent their loser genes from kicking in.

what a ridiculous comment.

[desaintsno.12]

I thought Crolly was a very poor choice at the start of the season, his interviews on MNS back it up, just never seems to be worried about the lack of wins,.

I dont rate croly either, but it isnt based on how well he interviews on MNS anyway. A strange way to rate a manager

[Ezeikial]

I dont rate croly either, but it isnt based on how well he interviews on MNS anyway. A strange way to rate a manager

It's inevitable that media interviews will have an influence how people view a manager - be it players, supporters, club officials, media and the wider sporting public.

Ultimately it is results which have the biggest bearing, and in Croly's case, Rovers have clearly under-performed in relation to the squad budget

[Nesta99]

Paddy Power isn't offering any odds on title npw - just who will finish bottom. I expect The Bit o'Red to win thier next five matches and we'll see where that takes us.

Funny that when i decided to get in on the act and put 20 on at 11-1 to win the league only last night.

[avvenalaf]

Ah, well, they'd take that bet alright.:):cool::p

[Nesta99]

Few beers in me at the time - sure ye know how it goes:silly: