Dave McMillan

[Stuttgart88]

Enda Stevens moved to VillaI think with that factual rebuttal you have actually reinforced Stu’s point!

[nigel-harps1954]

How many Rovers players got a big move after their group stage participation?

Think it was actually none, wasn't it?

Granted, they lost all six games, but McMillan is a 27-year-old part-time footballer. I think we need a little bit of perspective!

Even look at Richie Towell - what has moving to the Championship done for him? Nothing as yet; can't even get on the bench at the moment.

Enda Stevens to Villa.
Karl Sheppard to Reading.
Jim Paterson to Bristol Rovers.
Rohan Ricketts to Exeter City.

Those were the only four moves from the Europa League squad outside of the League of Ireland besides Ryan Thompson who went to some non-league American side.

Pretty sure Towell has been injured for most of his time at Brighton too.

[paul_oshea]

How many Rovers players got a big move after their group stage participation?

Think it was actually none, wasn't it?

Granted, they lost all six games, but McMillan is a 27-year-old part-time footballer. I think we need a little bit of perspective!

Even look at Richie Towell - what has moving to the Championship done for him? Nothing as yet; can't even get on the bench at the moment.

Perspective for sure, but we've seen from the Euros, lads playing in decent European leagues can perform at the required level for international football. I'm begining to think we are placing a bit too much emphasis on the championship, however the cream will always rise to the top, or almost always.

As I said previously, McMillian in the few games I've seen at least isn't your Long type, or your Murphy type, or Walters type, he is a Robbie keane type without his ability naturally - but he seems to be able convert chances, and we don't really have that at the moment. However if O'Neill picks him and deploys him up front on his own with no chances created for him then he might as well just not pick him.

[OwlsFan]

I'd also like to see O'Dowda and Forrester there, and maybe even Stokes or Rooney. Jonny Hayes is injured and Gibson, O'Kane and Arter should be in contention. Not all like for like, I'm just saying that there are several fresh additions to the squad worth considering, and there won't be room for all. I agree with the sentiment, maybe not the substance in cold light of day. Legia will be a good test alright.

Conor Hourihane ?

[sadloserkid]

Jim Paterson to Bristol Rovers.
Rohan Ricketts to Exeter City.

Paterson and Ricketts were hardly discovered by British teams while playing for Rovers either (not suggesting you're suggesting otherwise).

[pineapple stu]

Enda Stevens to Villa.
Karl Sheppard to Reading.
Jim Paterson to Bristol Rovers.
Rohan Ricketts to Exeter City.
Rovers bought Paterson and Ricketts in from Britain specially for the group stages; they don't count.

The other two are hardly ringing endorsements unfortunately.

Random stat I think I knew but had certainly forgotten - Harry Kane's first goal for Spurs was against Rovers in Tallaght.

Edit - Ricketts is great; after seven years in England, he then played in Canada, Hungary, Moldova, Germany, Ireland, England again, India, Ecuador, Thailand, Hong Kong and he's now in Bangladesh. You wonder how a career like that is even feasible.

[pineapple stu]

Perspective for sure, but we've seen from the Euros, lads playing in decent European leagues can perform at the required level for international football.
For sure. And I'm aware that on the one hand, I'm suggesting he might get an international call-up, and on the other hand dismissing that he's certain get a move to the Championship because he's only part-time.

I guess him maybe being worth a call-up says as much about our lack of striking options as it does about McMillan.

So I guess, yeah, as you say - perspective.

[geysir]

Hands off McMillan!
Dundalk's needs far outweigh Ireland's.
Dundalk have an important league fixture Sept 2, then Dave needs his quality time before the group stages commence mid sept.

[IsMiseSean]

This may be my Dunphy Ronaldo moment, but I'm not convinced by McMillan.

[Stuttgart88]

Conor Hourihane ?yep, he has a bit of class about him, and maybe even Jack Byrne too. Doherty, Cunningham, Henderson...

I think the squad is ripe for some degree of renewal, but not 7 or 8 at one time. 2 or 3 progressive selections in the next 23 will be interesting.

I guess all I'm doing is pre-empting criticism of the non-selection of Dundalk players in the next squad by pointing out that other good players have a very good case too.

I haven't seen McMillan but if a new forward is to be called up I'd have thunk Rooney would be ahead of him. I'll leave tricky to ask the next question, is he better than...?

[passinginterest]

This may be my Dunphy Ronaldo moment, but I'm not convinced by McMillan.

I'd actually agree. He's been pretty inconsistent in his career to date. He's more or less said himself this is probably as good as it will ever get for him in his football career and he'll only consider going full time for an 'astronomical' offer. Having said that, the point I was making earlier is that if, and it's a big if, himself, and the likes of Horgan, perform impressively once again in the playoff round and in whatever group stage they compete in they will almost certainly draw attention from higher level full time leagues. As impressive as Rovers campaign was I don't believe they had the same level of outstanding individual performances, and they were pretty comprehensively beaten in all the group stage games.
Quote from this interview: http://www.the42.ie/david-mcmillan-dundalk-champions-league-interview-2918978-Aug2016/

[geysir]

I'd actually agree. He's been pretty inconsistent in his career to date. He's more or less said himself this is probably as good as it will ever get for him in his football career and he'll only consider going full time for an 'astronomical' offer. Having said that, the point I was making earlier is that if, and it's a big if, himself, and the likes of Horgan, perform impressively once again in the playoff round and in whatever group stage they compete in they will almost certainly draw attention from higher level full time leagues. As impressive as Rovers campaign was I don't believe they had the same level of outstanding individual performances, and they were pretty comprehensively beaten in all the group stage games.
Quote from this interview: http://www.the42.ie/david-mcmillan-dundalk-champions-league-interview-2918978-Aug2016/
I never thought for a moment he would be in for a team overseas, it's just harmless idle talk.
He's 27 and has made strides since settling in with Dundalk to get this good, but even when was making those strides, his progress was greeted with some sarcasm here.
He does say this
"where I am at the moment is, as you can see from the last few weeks, it doesn’t really get that much better"
He's not just referring to his football ability but also everything else, his professional career, the support from his employers, training almost full time with the top team in the league, scoring brilliant goals in european competition to lead his club to a CL play off and all the acclaim with his name hitting headlines in sports pages around europe.
So yes Dave, where did it all go wrong?

[pineapple stu]

Off the mark in the SPL today in his third sub appearance. Only just back from three months out with injury unfortunately

[pineapple stu]

First start tonight, and another goal, from the spot this time.

The new Sammo! :p

[pineapple stu]

First of the season today, against Forfar in the League Cup. Be interesting to see how he gets on with a good run in the team. Injury came at a bad time last season.

[pineapple stu]

First league goal of the season today, in his second league start of the season

[pineapple stu]

Second in as many games today to put St Johnstone 1-0 up at home to Aberdeen. Niall McGinn equalised in the second half though.