2017 Predictions

[ToberonaTornado]

After coming a point ahead of Sligo, who would have taken the Euro spot if they had managed to beat a Dundalk team who finished with 8 men



http://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-2-2-sligo-rovers/

The Sean Connor season at Dundalk was many things - but it was never dull or boring!

Incredible match and one i remember well.

How the reporter can imagine that there was 1800 at that game is even more lunatic than how it went.About 900/1000 at it and when the match ended hardly one in the stand or in the Shed but on the pitch boundary walls.

That was an Oriel night never to be forgotten!

Anyway:

Dundalk
Shams R.
Cork City
Lims
Pats
Sligo
Derry
Bray W
Bohs
Harps
Galway
Drogs

Cup - Lims
LC - Derry
1ST Div - Longford
Top scorer Mcmillan

First sacked - Long

[Jofspring]

Dundalk
Rovers
Cork
Derry
Bray
Pats
Limerick
Sligo
Bohs
Galway
Harps
Drogheda

[Philosophizer]

Dundalk
Cork
Rovers
Bray
Derry
Pats
Limerick
Sligo
Galway
Drogs
Bohs
Harps

1ST Div - Waterford
Top scorer - Maguire

First sacked - Long

[ArFella]

Dundalk
Cork
Derry
Rovers
Bray
Limerick
Pats
Galway
Bohs
Sligo
Harps
Drogs

FD: Waterford
FAI Cup: Derry
League Cup: Cork
Top Scorer: Maguire
Sack race: Long

[outspoken]

Dundalk
Cork
Rovers
Bray
--------------
Derry
Drogs
Pats
Limerick
Sligo
----------------
Galway
Bohs
Harps

Longford
Waterford
Shels
Cobh
UCD
Wexford
CABO
Athlone

FAI Cup: Dundalk
League Cup: Derry
Top scorer: Maguire
Sack race: Keith Long

[kksaints]

Dundalk
Shams
Cork
Derry
St Pats
Bray
Sligo
Limerick
Bohs
Galway
Finn Harps
Drogs

Waterford
Longford
Wexford
UCD
Cobh
Shels
Cabinteely
Athlone

FAI Cup: Cork
League Cup: Pats
Top Scorer: Maguire
Sack race:Robertson

[Ezeikial]

Dundalk
Cork
Bray
Roversion
Derry
----------------
Sligo
St Pats
Limerick
----------------
Galway Utd
Bohs
Harps
Drogheda

1ST DIVISION
Longford
Waterford


FAI Cup: Dundalk
League Cup: Bray
Top scorer: McMillan
Chop Chop: Keith Long or Martin Russell

[Ezeikial]

Stephen Bradley sensibly tries to lower expectations in this Irish Times interview saying that he does not think Rovers will overtake Dundalk in 2017:


“I think it’s great we’re playing them [Dundalk] so early because they’re the benchmark. They’re at the level we all want to get to. There’s no getting away from that. They’ve been the best team for the last three years and they are still the best team in my opinion. It will give us a good indication of where we are.“I don’t think we’re a million miles away,” he continues, “but to say that we will overtake them and win the league next year would be silly.


Then we goes and makes a rod for his own back back saying he expects to finish ahead of Cork in second place


Overhauling Cork, he suggests, and taking second place might be the initial targets for what will be a much changed side with Bradley believing that the likes of Ronan Finn (http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Ronan Finn&article=true), Ryan Connolly (http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Ryan Connolly&article=true) and Mikey O’Connor can all make an immediate impact after which the club will look to keep improving.“Yeah, of course we can,” he says when asked if his side can finish higher than John Caulfield’s men in 2017.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/national-league/signings-will-help-rovers-recover-fighting-spirit-this-season-says-stephen-bradley-1.2968396#.WJukwgnl1hk.twitter

[Calcio Jack]

Bradley not making a rod for his back just being realistic based on what whom weve recruited and also shown the door to

In fact 'reading between n the lines' of the IT article it's pretty clear he expects to win the league this year- sure time will tell

[Philosophizer]

In fact 'reading beaten the lines' of the IT article it's pretty clear he expects to win the league this year- sure time will tell

I also got the impression that he's v happy with the transfer window and that he's quietly confident to push Dundalk and Cork this yr, even if he tries to play it down. I always detect a bit of smugness from Bradley.

I was also interested in the section about him chatting with Michael O'Neill and Wenger about player recruitment - they told him the most important thing is player charactar/mentality over talent. Makes me think that if he's only finding that out now then he doesn't know as much as he thinks he does.

[Ezeikial]

Naive rookie manager creating a level of expectation he will not be able to meet. saying that he expects to finish second .is very foolish.

[placid casual]

Naive rookie poster assuming that team manager new to the game is automatically going to fail.
Let's see who's the foolish one come season's end eh.

[pineapple stu]

Where does Bradley say he expects to finish second?

[Jofspring]

He may as well have a bit of ambition and if he is willing to live by the sword then fair play to him.

[Ezeikial]

Naive rookie poster assuming that team manager new to the game is automatically going to fail.
Let's see who's the foolish one come season's end eh.

I'm interested to know what you deem success or failure for Rovers in relation to league place?

[sbgawa]

Naive rookie manager creating a level of expectation he will not be able to meet. saying that he expects to finish second .is very foolish.

Think that's a bit harsh I think "targeting" 3rd place is not the same as saying he expects to be second. To be fair to him what do prole expect him to say ...he's targeting 4th ?
Or duck it completely and sat he has no target?

[sbgawa]

Think that's a bit harsh I think "targeting" 3rd place is not the same as saying he expects to be second. To be fair to him what do prole expect him to say ...he's targeting 4th ?
Or duck it completely and sat he has no target?

Typo "targeting 2nd" place.

[Ezeikial]

Think that's a bit harsh I think "targeting" 3rd place is not the same as saying he expects to be second. To be fair to him what do prole expect him to say ...he's targeting 4th ?
Or duck it completely and sat he has no target?

A smarter, more savvy manager would talk about "improving on last year", being "more competitive", "challenging for honours", "we want to try to win every game", " we'll take it game by game and see where it takes us" etc.

Despite you and Calcio Jack (who thinks that it is clear that Bradley is saying he expects to win the league!) jumping to his defence, these type of comments wont go down well with most Rovers fans:

On one hand he is setting a high target (finishing ahead of Cork in 2nd place) while on the other hand he is being defeatist (not likely to finish ahead of Dundalk or win the league).

Stephen Bradley may well succeed at Rovers (whatever success actual means at Rover these days) if he can be heard over the phalanx of coaches and the other entourage at the club - but I have my doubts. Giving mixed messages to supporters does not help

[Mr A]

Am pretty sure no matter what he said there would still be fault found with it.

[sbgawa]

Am pretty sure no matter what he said there would still be fault found with it.


True and I'd rather have a manager who was willing to step away from platitudes.

[Calcio Jack]

A smarter, more savvy manager would talk about "improving on last year", being "more competitive", "challenging for honours", "we want to try to win every game", " we'll take it game by game and see where it takes us" etc.

Despite you and Calcio Jack (who thinks that it is clear that Bradley is saying he expects to win the league!) jumping to his defence, these type of comments wont go down well with most Rovers fans:

On one hand he is setting a high target (finishing ahead of Cork in 2nd place) while on the other hand he is being defeatist (not likely to finish ahead of Dundalk or win the league).

Stephen Bradley may well succeed at Rovers (whatever success actual means at Rover these days) if he can be heard over the phalanx of coaches and the other entourage at the club - but I have my doubts. Giving mixed messages to supporters does not help

What Bradley has said has gone down exceptionally well with Rovers fans- also the major structural changes that have been implemented on and off the park are also going down very well- that is reflected in best season ticket sales in 5 years.
So thanks for your opinions but the facts are as set out above.
We're expecting to mount a major meaningful chellenge and the league is the target- the belief is that is a realistic and achievable target- come June that may not be the case but Bradley's being up front and straight in his comments which is much better than reverting to the cliche playbook you've suggested

[Ezeikial]

What Bradley has said has gone down exceptionally well with Rovers fans-

That's a relief

I suppose I better stop fretting for you Rovers fans then.



We're expecting to mount a major meaningful chellenge and the league is the target- the belief is that is a realistic and achievable target-

Psst - Bradley doesn't share your expectation:



Stephen Bradley says
“but to say that we will overtake them and win the league next year would be silly.

[nigel-harps1954]

Manager lowering expectations is a shock to people here? Did you all completely ignore Ollie Horgan last season?

[pineapple stu]

Ezeikal - where does Bradley say he expects to finish second?

[Jd2793]

Cork
Dundalk
Rovers
Bray
Pats
Limerick
Derry
Sligo
Galway
Bohs
Drogs
Harps


Waterford to win the FD also

[Ezeikial]

Ezeikal - where does Bradley say he expects to finish second?


I think Bradley was speaking at the eir Sports announcement of their live broadcast of the Dundalk V Shamrocks Rovers match

[pineapple stu]

But you quoted the piece from the Irish Times (http://foot.ie/threads/219571-2017-Predictions?p=1906567&viewfull=1#post1906567) - where he doesn't say that he expects to finish second - and used that to say that he does expect to finish second.

I don't know why you're bringing Setanta into it now?

Certainly, nowhere has it yet been shown that Bradley says he expects to come second.

[oriel]

77 posts on this so far, less than half are actual predictions but some are multiple posts by those who made predictions, in summary here is the current tally on league winners. I'm open to correction if I have miscounted any.

Dundalk 18
Cork 7
Rovers 2

For Cork fans and others who fancy a flutter on them, I still think there is a bit of value with the bookies.

[Nesta99]

If Derry carry on their improvement under Sheils they have to be in the mix although playing home away from the Brandywell may have a negative impact.
For me it is Dundalk top without bias of course. Cork 2nd again but with a much closer league in general. Derry then, we have yet to see what th new look Rovers can do. Sligo wont have the same slow start, Bray are going for broke but in fairness Harry Kenny has done a great job before they looked like splashing any cash. Galway, Drogheda, Limerick and Bohs will be fighting it out to avoid the cull. Pats should have at least a more consistant season but middle of the pack with a good cup run (how tims have changed!). Harps know how to scrap it out when needed even if Horgan will put them in the MSL somehow, if O'Connor's loan isnt extended in July they could get pulled in to the relegation scrap as I expect him to bag a good few. All in all it will be a much closer league in general, all the entertainment desired will be there with every game meaning something top and bottom. Dundalk are well capable of four in a row but as per the 3 last seasons the concern is firepower up front - lets hope Kilduff silences the doubters with a 20+ haul. Sava I hope is up to deputising too early season.

Galway for EA Cup - have no idea what that is based on really.
Sligo FAI Cup.

[vinnie]

Dundalk
Rovers
Bray
Cork
Sligo
Derry
St Pats
Limerick
Finn Harps
Bohs
Galway
Drogheda

Waterford
Cobh
Longford
Wexford
UCD
Cabinteely
Shels
Athlone

FAI Cup: Rovers
League Cup: Derry
Top Scorer: Michael O'Connor
Sack race: Bucko

[Sam_Heggy]

Ollie Horgan was asked his opinion on who will finish where in the league this season and his reply was "it's of no concern to me where anybody else finishes other than Finn Harps and I'm certain we're in a battle to finish 16th at best"

[outspoken]

Dundalk
Rovers
Bray
Cork
Sligo
Derry
St Pats
Limerick
Finn Harps
Bohs
Galway
Drogheda

Waterford
Cobh
Longford
Wexford
UCD
Cabinteely
Shels
Athlone

FAI Cup: Rovers
League Cup: Derry
Top Scorer: Michael O'Connor
Sack race: Bucko

Whatever about Cobh ahead of Longford, Shels will be far from 7th. Bookies have it totally wrong. Decent team built this season.

[sulywaterfordfc]

PD
1. Dundalk
2. Shamrock Rovers
3. Cork City
4. Bray Wanderers
5. Derry City
6. St. Pats
7. Sligo Rovers
8. Limerick
9. Bohs
10. Finn Harps
11. Galway
12. Drogheda

FD
1. Waterford FC
2. Longford Town
3. Shels
4. Cobh Ramblers
5. UCD
6. Cabinteely
7. Wexford FC
8. Athlone Town

FAI Cup: Shamrock Rovers
League Cup: Sligo
Top Scorer: Seani Maguire
First Manager Sacked: Dave Robertson

[pineapple stu]

Wouldn't be surprised to see either Pat's or Bohs go down this year.

Not saying it's going to happen of course, but they've both been going backwards lately, and with three down, it's not really a season for going backwards.

[total hoofball]

2nd go at this..


1. Dundalk
2. Cork
3. Shamrock Rovers
4. St. Patrick's Athletic
5. Derry City
6. Bray Wanderers
7. Limerick
8. Galway United
9. Sligo Rovers
10. Bohemians
11. Finn Harps
12. Drogheda United


1. Waterford
2. Longford Town
3. Shels
4. UCD
5. Cobh Ramblers
6. Cabinteely
7. Wexford
8. Athlone Town


Hope I'm wrong with my status quo/obvious predictions, the LOI could really do with a Finn Harps/Athlone double header of Leicester City-esque shocks

[geysir]

Ezeikal - where does Bradley say he expects to finish second?
Ezeikal can speak for him/herself.
Bradley says 'of course we can finish higher than Cork', meaning 2nd place. That sounds like it's a very doable expectation to finish second.
This isn't a court of law, so some reasonable leeway can be allowed with an interpretation in a flowing dialogue where supporters are prone to rib each other.


My predictions are usually 99% wrong, therefore

1. Cork
2. Dundalk

6/1 the field.

[ger121]

it's not really a season for going backwards.

Eh talk about stating the obvious PS!

[ger121]

My predictions are usually 99% wrong

In fairness to you, most of those generally relate to Icelandic vs Irish Football ;)

[nigel-harps1954]

20 days away. Most have their squads together now. About time for some outrageous predictions. What's the views?


Premier Division

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Dundalk
3. Cork City
4. Bray Wanderers
5. Derry City
6. St Patricks Athletic
7. Finn Harps
8. Sligo Rovers
9. Limerick
10. Galway
11. Drogheda United
12. Bohemians

First Division

1. Waterford
2. Longford Town
3. Cobh Ramblers
4. UCD
5. Wexford
6. Shelbourne
7. Cabinteely
8. Athlone Town


FAI Cup: Cork City
League Cup: Dundalk
First Manager Sacked: Keith Long
Top Scorer: Sean Maguire

I might add that I expect Finn Harps to win the league now.

[pineapple stu]

Ezeikal can speak for him/herself.
Bradley says 'of course we can finish higher than Cork', meaning 2nd place. That sounds like it's a very doable expectation to finish second.
"We can" means it's a possibility.

Could be a 20% possibility - that's still "we can"

But it clearly doesn't mean "we expect to".

Da bantz, as you suggest, gets a bit tedious quite quickly.

[desaintsno.12]

Wouldn't be surprised to see either Pat's or Bohs go down this year.

Not saying it's going to happen of course, but they've both been going backwards lately, and with three down, it's not really a season for going backwards.

some would argue (me being one) that we (Pats) will be slightly better this year and have improved the over all squad

[El-Pietro]

This was tougher than usual - the relegation battle is going to be very interesting. I think everyone from Pats down could be in trouble, and I didn't want to pick a third team to be relegated.

1. Cork City - I'm a little bit confident, so this means well definitely finish 3rd.
2. Dundalk - They will have a slow start but will come strong
3. Shamrock Rovers - Closer than in previous years but not close enough
------
4. Derry City - I don't fancy them this year but I don't really think any of the teams outside the top 3 will be all that good.
5. Sligo Rovers - Their manager impressed me last year, could make a push for Europe.
6. Bray Wanderers - if they don't go bust - I think they might go bust
7. St. Patricks Athletic - Not as bad as many think they will be, not all that good either
8. Bohemian F.C. - Shane Supple will be their best player
9. Limerick - they will struggle to keep goals out
------
10. Galway United - Right about where they usually end up
11. Finn Harps - Sorry Harps fans
12. Drogheda United - Sorry Drogs fans

First:
1. Waterford United - easily
2. Longford Town
3. Cobh Ramblers
4. U.C.D.
5. Wexford
6. Shelbourne
7. Athlone
8. Cabinteely

F.A.I. Cup - Is it time for Shamrock Rovers to win... nah. Derry City
League Cup - Cork City - We're due one.

Edit: Top Goalscorers
Premier: Sean Maguire
First: Mark O'Sullivan - with 16

[patrickccfc]

League Cup - Cork City - We're due one.

I really badly want us to win this. I've seen us win everything apart from this one.

[White Horse]

It'll be a tough title to win this year.

With three teams automatically going down, earning points against the bottom half clubs will be tougher than usual.

There will be very few teams safe in mid table just seeing out the season.

[PartySaint]

Wouldn't be surprised to see either Pat's or Bohs go down this year.

Not saying it's going to happen of course, but they've both been going backwards lately, and with three down, it's not really a season for going backwards.

I wouldn’t be surprised at all.

Bohs are 5/6 to go down with PP

[SwanVsDalton]

Premier League

1. Cork
2. Dundalk
3. Shamrock Rovers
4. Derry City
5. Sligo Rovers
6. Bray Wanderers
7. Limerick
8. St Patrick's Athletic
9. Drogheda United
10. Bohemians
11. Galway United
12. Finn Harps

First Division
1. Waterford
2. Longford Town
3. Cobh Ramblers
4. UCD
5. Shelbourne
6. Cabinteely
7. Wexford
8. Athlone Town

[geysir]

In fairness to you, most of those generally relate to Icelandic vs Irish Football ;)
You do have a point Ger and it's on the record somewhere, I genuinely thought Bohs would get past a league 2 Icelandic side.
Instead they got walloped.
In just 90 minutes, Bohs managed to sink whatever little was left of my prediction cred with a torpedo, for eternity.
Confidence is totally shattered.

[geysir]

"We can" means it's a possibility.

Could be a 20% possibility - that's still "we can"

But it clearly doesn't mean "we expect to".
.....
On the contrary it clearly does because it's not just a matter of Bradley saying "we can", he said "of course we can"
Cambridge english dictionary." the phrase of course, used to introduce an idea or turn of events as being obvious or to be expected"

Therefore when Bradley says "of course we can", he elevates it to Obama heights of Yes We Can!! certainty.

[sbgawa]

LOL
If Bradley had said "we will finish above Cork" that would be one thing. saying "of course we can finish above Cork" simply means its a possibility and nothing else, the "of course" simply emphasises that it is a possibility.

Thank God the season is starting and this kind of semantic rubbish will be history soon.

[Candystripe]

Dundalk
Derry city
Cork city
Shamrock rovers
St Pats
Bray
Limerick
Bohs
Sligo
Harps
Drogheda
Galway