3-2 Cork - finished 10 a side

[RedHat]

saw the goals last night , what was fabio up to , pure stupidity although it did say he was reacting to something that took place earlier - but 5 yards from the ref - madness -
both Drogheda goals were good and In my opinion we would have got at least a point if Rogers had been in goal.

missed the dublin city goals - eircom league prog took an ad break and as any sensible person would do I changed the channels and happened across the classic Stone Roses appearance on the Late Show when they blew the power in the studio , so I missed the goals - bit like Cosmo on Thursday then.

[SeanDrog]

O'Dowd has replaced Rogers since the Shels match - Doolin was quoted in the paper after the Shels game saying how a blind man could see what was wrong (ie. Rogers). Hence Rogers was banished from the team.

In the 6 games in goals since the Shels game O'Dowd has picked the ball out of his net 11 times.

The Drogs had only conceded 21 goals in 27 games before the Shels match with Rogers in goals for almost all the games.

We have gone from the best defence in the league to one of the worst in just a small number of games.

[thecorner]

what a fcuking @sshole "fabio" is...should get a nice ban for that :D

[SeanDrog]

listen you got your 3 points leave it at that, I think some drogs already stated on the Cork mb that if O'Dowd was in goals for us we would lose the game - all supporters knew this would happen last night if O'Dowd was on.

The result is no shock to us.

All season Doolin has been playing weaker players while superior players are left on the bench - he is as stubborn as they come - pity it has cost us a place in Europe.

[SeanDrog]

The defenders obviously do not feel comfortable playing with him as the keeper, his arrival between the posts has destroyed what was the best defence in the league.

If he is on the pitch on Friday you will probably win again. Sure in 6 games he has let in 11 goals.

Combine it with the fact that Doolin will probably pull off another tactical masterstroke on Friday like having Lester at right back and I am pretty sure you will win on Friday.

Then just to make your night he will bring superman Gavin Whelan on to polish off your victory - if you say your prayers he might even be on from the start of the match.

plot .... lost ....... springs to mind regarding a certain person in the Drog setup.

[SeanDrog]

Jeraime has been shocking at left back since he came to the club - he has had a lot of luck in many games meaning he wasn't punished for his lack of aeral ability and the fact that he gives acres of space to the wingers.

Fullbacks are normally pretty solid but I suppose with Cork racing down the wings the wholetime (thanks to our 352 formation - with Lester as right back) it put them under more intense pressure.

[SeanDrog]

if a team put either of our fullback positions under pressure they collaspe - maybe you just didn't put us under any pressure in that area of the field.

If Cork want a laugh then put in some high balls down the Drog left and see how well we handle them.

[patsh]

All season Doolin has been playing weaker players while superior players are left on the bench - he is as stubborn as they come - pity it has cost us a place in Europe.I thought Drogs didn't want an InterToto spot?
In your programme for the City game against you on that bank holiday Monday, there was a piece saying that postponing league games for the "Intertwobob cup" or words to that effect, was a disgrace, and it was a worthless competition.
I got the impression Drogs were not interested in it?

[SeanDrog]

I wouldn't read too much into what the programme said - take it thats the writers opinion - probably thought they were being "smart". I personally and I am sure most Drogs would have loved to see the Drogs in Europe next season.

An element in our club got "cocky" just because we had a good run in the middle of the season.

[WindmillWarrior]

I'd take the intertwobob cup no problem. F*ck it, its still a trip away.

[Dufferlover]

O'Dowd's awareness is all over the place! He is far too hasty to come off his line! Sadly Cork will probably get another three points on Friday if that thing is still in goals! Come on Doolo, swallow your pride!

[Drogman.]

Its sounds like it was a disappointing display but lads in all fairness our season sended a month ago. After the Cup Semi defeat I knew we'd drop down the table a bit and performances wouldn't be up to scratch.

I'd love for us to get into the intertwobob cup but if we finish fourth then it will be a good season for us. Lets not expect too much lads, this is Doolo's first full season in charge. Lesson's will be learned and its as a famous man once said, "its a stepping stone" to future glory!

[Rochey]

Have to stand up a little here for jermaine


Jeraime has been shocking at left back since he came to the club

Think it is hugely unfair to say he has been consistenly bad. He had great distribution. True he is not the best in the air. But in fairness he has done a job for us since coming to the club. Which is shown by the fact that he has been in the team consistantly since signing.

Plus i think your comments sean are a bit over the top.


plot .... lost ....... springs to mind regarding a certain person in the Drog setup.


he is as stubborn as they come - pity it has cost us a place in Europe.

For F**k sake this manager has turned us from relagation candidates to european hopefulls in one season. You act like he has destroyed the club when in fact its the opposite. Yea we might not get a european spot but were in a great position to build on next season. There's no need to rip into the team cause your pi**ed off we lost. I mean even the cork lads arent giving as much abuse as you.

[SeanDrog]

How about ****ed off because we have blown it at the critical time of the season.

I don't buy this argument about learning season etc etc, Doolin is paid a very handsome wage to win games, he has failed to do this - in fact all season all we have heard is excuses - usually an attack on the players but never an attack on the management style or selected tactics. He was provided with adequate transfer funds by the Board, we got Bird for goodness sake - he couldn't have been cheap (no pun intended)

To me (and I am allowed my opinion) we blew our greatest chance of winning the Cup and the league (how many home games did we lose?).

I fail to see how next season we will somehow miracleously be the best team in Ireland, will Doolin all of a sudden figure out how to inspire the team, put fire in their belly? will he stop running players out of the club? will he all of a sudden become tactically aware?

if any of the above happen next season then great but I will not take it as a given that it is guaranteed to happen as others do.

On Jeraime - to me as a left back he is a disaster, better than Kelly but as a signing there had to have been better options out there, a midfield player perhap sosme ability as a squad player.

And to me (again my opinion) keeping Rogers on the bench to prove some point while Tony is having a nightmare in goals in losing the plot.

Regarding him turning us around - yes he took us away from being relegation candidates but as for title contenders I firmly believe this had just as much to do with playing teams at the right time and the fact that this is the weakest premier division in a long time if not ever.

Of course the club isn't destroyed etc etc but to me we have lost a great chance and I'm tired of the excuses.

[Rochey]

Never said you werent entitled to your opinion. Your opinion was just annoying me. Anyway dont buy the fact the this is a weak premier division or the worst ever no way. To bring up the obvious european run by shels and cork. Yea bohs crashed out so did longford. But there is a lot of good players in this league and the standard has not been that bad this season.

We didnt win a european spot this season because we werent good enough plain and simple. True were not guaranteed success next season either thats the beauty of football its unpredictable. My opinion is yea we missed a great chance but thats no need to lose faith. Doolin and the players will learn from this season through their mistakes and their achievements ultimitly it ended in disappointment for different reasons then usual but it could have been a whole lot worse.

Oh and on jermaine think Doolin signed him because he could get a decent player as a cheaper alternative to buying in Ireland or England. Dont know!! Your probably right about the squad player bit though we'll see what his competition will be next season no doubt.

[SeanDrog]

My opinion usually annoys quite a few :D

To me it is clealry the weakest Premier ever - sure there are great players around but not as team units.

In the past Pats, Rovers, Longford and Derry all had great teams, always very tough to beat - this season they were all very ordinary by their standards (I think it was probably to do with ony 1 relegation spot not putting them under enough pressure). Bohs started off very slowly as did Longford.


Regarding Europe I disagree, I fully beleive we were good enough this season given the Premier div that was in it - how were we earlier in the seson able to beat anyone? and have one of the best defences, if we had have won our home games against Longford, Pats and Waterford (not exactly the toughest matches compared to others) we would now be comfortably in line for a place in Europe.

Finally I haven't lost faith, hopefully the new signings will fit better into Doolins framework for a winning side as this season his current squadobviously didn't suit him (just look how many times the starting 11 changed). Hoepfully he will also learn for this end of season collaspe and be better armed for next season.

[Dufferlover]

Totally agree with SeanDrog! Nobody is doubting we have had a good season but it could have been better! The Cup defeat really started the bad run but it's these clashes of personality that need to be stamped out.
Lets face facts here, Gary Rogers is certainly not the finished article but is streets ahead of O'Dowd. Doolin stood up and openly critised Rogers after the Shelbourne game but never gave him a chance to prove he was better than that. Instead we get get a dodgy has been that continues to leak goals and hence leads our defence into disarray.
Not wanting to sound to contradictonary here - I like Doolin as a manager. He has worked wonders at United Park and if he could just wipe the slate clean and wipe out these grievences with certain players Drogs would be in a better position. Otherwise we are going to have quality players walking out at the end of the month.

[Drogman.]

For gods sake Sean, I'm not slating your opinion but I think its just a bit narrowminded. At the start of this season, I knew we weren't going to win the league and when we went top I knew also.

Doolo hasn't been right in every decision all season, but he hasn't been wrong quite often. I mean just look at the Rovers game a few weeks ago as an example. We were 1 down and instead of keeping with the same side Doolo brings 3 subs on at once and changes the course of the game.
The cup game against UCD when he brought Rooney on and he made Fabio's goal to get us back into the tie. There has been some mistakes alright, O'Dowd in goal being a fine example but all this is I'm sure been takin into context.

Jermaine is not as bad as you make out Sean. I mean yes he's not great in the air but he is probably the best passer of the ball in the squad. Don't even mention anyone else, especially Lester as he cannot pass the ball properly to save his life. Jermaine is better than Kelly and has improved the left side a little bit but as always with everything there is room for improvement.

Comon for jasus sake, its our first season with a completely new sqaud and we look like being one of the top 4 teams in the country, not a bad start by my books for Doolo.

[Cosmo]

Just back - and will somebody put poor Tony down.

Thought we got hard done by - apparently the journalists in the press box all agreed that the fabio incident happeed 'behid the ref' so unless he has eyes on the back of his head, he had no right to send him off (he didnt consult with lineswoman either). O ' Callaghan the gobs_-_te made the most of it anyway.

Citys secod goal was offside.

We had a couple of chances, but we had tony in goals so it was no surprise he lost - thought he couldve done better on the 2d and 3rd goals and was just shaky the whole time. Defence didnt help him though -

Didnt think the cork lad shouldve got sent off either.

2nd half was all city and to be honest they deserved all 3 points.

Sullys performance is worth a mentio - thought he played very well

Btw funny moment when cork scored the 3rd goal. A good few lads in their 30s/40s decided to turn around and give us the fingers. Dont know why it was funny, i suppose ye just ha to be there. Im still laughing thinkig about it :rolleyes:

[Cosmo]

Another thing i find humourous is the match review on the official site - its pretty good!!! Hope the FAi/El boyos dont read it!! :D

[Dufferlover]

Didn't make the game but saw the highlights on EL Weekly and the ref definately had his back to the incident! Hmm!

[SeanDrog]

Totally agree with SeanDrog! Nobody is doubting we have had a good season but it could have been better! The Cup defeat really started the bad run but it's these clashes of personality that need to be stamped out.
Lets face facts here, Gary Rogers is certainly not the finished article but is streets ahead of O'Dowd. Doolin stood up and openly critised Rogers after the Shelbourne game but never gave him a chance to prove he was better than that. Instead we get get a dodgy has been that continues to leak goals and hence leads our defence into disarray.
Not wanting to sound to contradictonary here - I like Doolin as a manager. He has worked wonders at United Park and if he could just wipe the slate clean and wipe out these grievences with certain players Drogs would be in a better position. Otherwise we are going to have quality players walking out at the end of the month.

I couldn't have put it better.

I think Dufferlover summed it up lovely.

[Coltron]

Regarding the ODowd/Rogers situation I think Doolo knows what he is doing. We all know that Gary is a better keeper and should go on to be the best in the league and Doolo realising this decides to act in a way which will get the most out of Gary in the long run. So he picks a time in the season when he knows the players are going to be flatter than normal so he reckons its a good time to give Rogers a kick up the arse too. If he was in the team regardless every week he might never iron out the imperfections in his game. Cue Tony, as the sub keeper he steps in, not to a great affect but thats the best we can do. Of course he could put that keeper he signed from Carlise in but that would completly disrupt the apple cart, as it would put him under more pressure to preform, so I think all in all its the correct decision.

Note that this is the same time that Doolo decided to introduce the 5-3-2 formation, so I think he is looking to build for next season. The teams who most probably that will finish above us (Shels, Cork and Bohs) have all been together for atleast a couple of years and are more of a team than we are, next season we will be significantly improved as a unit. All you have to do to see the benifits of time on a team is look at the stats. Lately we have been able to respond when we have gone behind, with a goal and sometimes two goals. I took a long while, but there is definate signs that we are developing. Under Doolo there is no reason obvious reason why this shouldn't continue although it will depend on how many come and go in the close season.

Doolin makes mistakes but he is leading us in the right direction, we are on course for silverware in the near future and he is the man to do deliver it.

[observer]

Most interesting football logic Coltron. A manager wants to give a shake up to his no 1 goalkeeper so he chooses the time when they are in the running for a place in European competition to drop him:confused:
He also chooses this time to experiment with the system the team plays :confused:
How the hell can you justify this type of carry on? Are you by any chance a relation of Doolin?

[Coltron]

Ask anyone on here, our season ended when Shels came to town. All I'm saying is I think he make the most of a difficult situation. He didn't let the seaons crawl to a close but used it constructively, while still keeping things competitive and fresh. You call yourself 'observer' well is that not a correct observation?

[SÓC]

Yer left-back was usless beyond believe. Everytime we had a kick out/free etc the ball would be sent on top of him and Kevin Doyle would win it EVERY time. I honestly cant remember him winning it once.

I think our sending off was fair enough. O'Brien was stupid to charge into O'Callaghan for no reason near the Ref. Why run the risk. In saying that I think it was a bit harsh.

Ye dont fancy rolling over and letting us win the league on Friday do ye?

[SeanDrog]

but Coltron why did our season end at the Shels match -0 there was plenty of games left and we were still in a good position in the league ??

Who decided that it was over after the Shels game?

I really doubt Rogers will be with us next season after the shake up Doolin decided to give him.

[observer]

Exactly my point Sean Drog, there was still a lot to play for at that stage.

[Coltron]

The team had the wind taken out of their sails that week, the double blow of the extra time exit to Longford followed by our national humiliation to Shels (not that we need reminding) was a power blow to the team managment and supporters. Everyone felt it. I think had we beaton Shels that night it would have had the opposite affect that we would have found something more and the players would have excelled themsleves treating every game like a cup final until the end of the season. But to lose something that you have been working towards like that takes time to recover, a couple of games at bare minimum. The lads were drained mentally, to think otherwise and to expect the team to go out in the next immediate games to perform as normal is pure fantasy.

Not yet convinced by my reasoning look at 2004 English Premier Champions Arseanal. After losing their remarkable unbeaton run to Man U, they played Southampton (In Relagation zone and new manager still looking for his first win) and C Palace the pre-season relagation 'certainties', yet they could only manage two draws and were fortunate to get even that.

So my point is, in reality our dream ended for this season so to continue to play with the same style of play and players etc would have been unproductive at best so some change or tinkering was in order, that is a sign of a good manger and you don't have to related to him to see this.

[patsh]

Lads, whats happened to Bird?
Is he injured or just out of favour?

[SeanDrog]

he is out of favour.

[RedHat]

probably played for 45 mins in the last 10 games ?
no idea what is the problem but hopefully he will get a chance on friday