Fixtures 26-29 April

[White Horse]

So question for Cork’s board is should we fire Caufield now? Or should we wait to lose another few games and plunge deeper into a relegation battle or should we wait til we are relegated?

A good run in Europe would kickstart the season.

[swinfordfc]

I got it wrong about Vinny Perth in Dundalk ... They had a slow start and now its great to see a 3 horse race for the title! It be interesting to see the rest of the season to see how it pans out .......

[Buller]

A good run in Europe would kickstart the season.

Yes exactly! Probably best to wait till July or August to make any rash decisions.
Finn Harps can be a tough aul side.
I think more time and patience is what's required.

[Cathalsmart]

A good run in Europe would kickstart the season.

We’d be lucky to even score a goal in Europe at this point, maybe a fluke goal when we are 6-0 down.

[PartySaint]

Happy with that result some good play in patches, Ship now steadied Bolger ran the show man of the match. Decent crowd from Pats must of been 600 or so

Think the club said just under 800 tickets sold

Pats played well at times last night and only for a superb save from Mannus near the end we would have got a point. Rovers took the chance they got and we didn't take ours.

Waterford now on Friday who I feel are going to be well up for it after the whole Europe thing, Reynolds will probably bring himself on to make a few tackles.

[Couch Potato]

Thought we started well last night Rovers hardly got a touch of the ball first 10-15 but after that they looked dangerous in possession for the rest of the first half and scored from the only real chance they created.
Second half we were the better side but we never really looked like scoring we kept huffing and puffing and Mannus pulled off a good save from bermo and a great save from Dean Clarke.
On the balance of play Rovers were lucky to win we didn't deserve to be beaten.

But there in lies the problem with Kenny and Pats our shape and pattern of play is terrible, its get it long and try play of second balls high up the pitch.
We have too many good footballers to be at that who aren't suited to it.
Our two full backs are excellent full backs but they don't have the legs to play wing back which then gives us no width and makes us easy to defend against.

[dahamsta]

Yawn as usual....trolling early today, you truly never do get bored with yourself..

https://foot.ie/faq.php?faq=vb3_board_usage#faq_vb3_troublesome_us ers

[marinobohs]

Thought we started well last night Rovers hardly got a touch of the ball first 10-15 but after that they looked dangerous in possession for the rest of the first half and scored from the only real chance they created.
Second half we were the better side but we never really looked like scoring we kept huffing and puffing and Mannus pulled off a good save from bermo and a great save from Dean Clarke.
On the balance of play Rovers were lucky to win we didn't deserve to be beaten.

But there in lies the problem with Kenny and Pats our shape and pattern of play is terrible, its get it long and try play of second balls high up the pitch.
We have too many good footballers to be at that who aren't suited to it.
Our two full backs are excellent full backs but they don't have the legs to play wing back which then gives us no width and makes us easy to defend against.

interesting, haven't seen much of pats except when they played Bohs, thought they were excellent first 20/30 mins that night but they seemed to implode when bohs scored (against the run of play). is it that the players are not convinced about the way they are playing or is it that harry is looking for the way they are playing ?

[Couch Potato]

interesting, haven't seen much of pats except when they played Bohs, thought they were excellent first 20/30 mins that night but they seemed to implode when bohs scored (against the run of play). is it that the players are not convinced about the way they are playing or is it that harry is looking for the way they are playing ?

You couldn't question the players attitudes they are all working hard within the system. The manager thinks this is the best way to get results but for me he's stumbled on it due to the fact we were forced into it first game v Dundalk as all our wide players were injured. It worked in that game so he's kind of stuck with it.
We didn't play one game preseason with 3/5 at the back and our two fullbacks are very good fullbacks but for me aren't able to play as wing backs.
It leaves us with no width and one dimensional in attack.
IMO we've a group of players better suited to actual football rather than the battling grind it out displays we've seen.

This is the reason why some fans are as happy as they might be with how the season is going. Were doing fine were in the hunt for Europe but the feeling is we should be better than fine.

[marinobohs]

So question for Cork’s board is should we fire Caufield now? Or should we wait to lose another few games and plunge deeper into a relegation battle or should we wait til we are relegated?

I couldn’t see Cork as relegation candidates but prospect of European football next season is diminishing rapidly. It depends on what CCFC bottom line is for this season, don’t think either Europe, next season, or relegation are realistic so would mid table and a run in cups and/or Europe be enough to keep him in a job ? Probably also depends on “plan B” (and if they have one), who might replace him ?
Pretty significant drop off in form even allowing for reduced budget.

[D24Saint]

Can any Cork fans explain the current scenario from the outside it seems extraordinary. Has Caufield lost the dressing room etc ?

[Dalymountrower]

Nine pass.move for Mandrious goal last night. Up on Soccer Republic .Worth a look.

[joey B]

Nine pass.move for Mandrious goal last night. Up on Soccer Republic .Worth a look.

Harps hit the post and had at least one other good chance, penalty shout at the end aswell apparently but they showed none of them, absolutely useless highlights show.......

[D24Saint]

You couldn't question the players attitudes they are all working hard within the system. The manager thinks this is the best way to get results but for me he's stumbled on it due to the fact we were forced into it first game v Dundalk as all our wide players were injured. It worked in that game so he's kind of stuck with it.
We didn't play one game preseason with 3/5 at the back and our two fullbacks are very good fullbacks but for me aren't able to play as wing backs.
It leaves us with no width and one dimensional in attack.
IMO we've a group of players better suited to actual football rather than the battling grind it out displays we've seen.

This is the reason why some fans are as happy as they might be with how the season is going. Were doing fine were in the hunt for Europe but the feeling is we should be better than fine.

It never ceases to amaze when people like Harry who have spent their whole life in the game can’t see the obvious. The formation is asking far too much from two veteran players , Bermo and Madden are being asked to cover the whole pitch it will result in both getting burnt out very soon.

[brendy_éire]

Bohs are the real deal. Continued from when I last saw them in the cup match last year. Any team that tries to play out from the back against them will do at their peril. Enjoy it, the front 6 do the work that the back 4 don't have to do.

Bohs pressing was excellent, really limited our time on the ball.
I don't think there was much between the sides technically, but loads tactically.
Teams will have to play a quick passing game to deal with Bohs. We did it in limited amounts last night, but actually created enough chances to get a few goals.
Hopefully lessons will be learned.

I know we'd Parkhouse missing, but our lack of an out and out striker is hurting us. Last night and away to Waterford being recent examples of points lost due to it.

[Ezeikial]

I don't think there was much between the sides technically, but loads tactically.


That's an enormous compliment to Keith Long and Trevor Crolly - one that they fully deserve.

Post match Declan Devine spoke about Derry being fatigued. While all teams are likely to be suffering with the recent fixture congestion, do you agree with him that this was a big factor between the two teams?


DECLAN DEVINE admitted fatigue had set in against high flying Bohemians as the tough April fixture schedule finally took its toll on his players.

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/declan-devine-admits-bohemians-clash-proved-a-match-too-much-for-his-jaded-troops-1-8908739

[SkStu]

That's an enormous compliment to Keith Long and Trevor Crolly - one that they fully deserve.

Post match Declan Devine spoke about Derry being fatigued. While all teams are likely to be suffering with the recent fixture congestion, do you agree with him that this was a big factor between the two teams?

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/declan-devine-admits-bohemians-clash-proved-a-match-too-much-for-his-jaded-troops-1-8908739

I agree with him, generally speaking, that the scheduling in this league is atrocious - absolutely ridiculous on the players but... Bohs are coming off their 7th game in 24 days (Fridays will be 8 in 28). As a part time outfit (all these boys have day jobs) against Derry (who are full time pro), I think that excuse would more appropriately sit with us.

Fact is, we have won 5, lost 1 and drawn 1 in that time due to the strength in depth that Long/Croly have assembled and his ability to rotate the first 11, as needed, with little impact on performances/results. It makes any excuses thrown out by other managers simply that - excuses.

[brendy_éire]

Post match Declan Devine spoke about Derry being fatigued. While all teams are likely to be suffering with the recent fixture congestion, do you agree with him that this was a big factor between the two teams?

Overall last night, yes, we were more fatigued and it made a difference.
In saying that, Bohs don't have any larger a squad than ourselves really, so perhaps we could have rotated our squad a wee bit and matched them.

The schedule is dreadful though and certainly favours teams with larger squads. We're going to struggle in Oriel on Friday.

[Ezeikial]

Fact is, we have won 5, lost 1 and drawn 1 in that time due to the strength in depth that Long/Croly have assembled and his ability to rotate the first 11, as needed, with little impact on performances/results. It makes any excuses thrown out by other managers simply that - excuses.


Overall last night, yes, we were more fatigued and it made a difference.
In saying that, Bohs don't have any larger a squad than ourselves really, so perhaps we could have rotated our squad a wee bit and matched them.


What Keith Long and Trevor Croly have done is remarkable on a number of levels and the size or depth of any squad is only one dimension - both posts are highlighting an ability and willingness to rotate the squad and still be effective.

Bohs are the best opposition team that I have seen this season despite the 1-0 loss in Oriel Park (yeah that one - where a late penalty was awarded for a foul at the box). They came into that match with seven changes and even with all those changes they still played to a cohesive plan with all the players integrating seamlessly into the tactical system. That is some achievement for the management team to pull all of that together particularly on a meager budget




The schedule is dreadful though and certainly favours teams with larger squads. We're going to struggle in Oriel on Friday.

Hopefully that's the mindset among the Derry squad ahead of Friday night

[marinobohs]

What Keith Long and Trevor Croly have done is remarkable on a number of levels and the size or depth of any squad is only one dimension - both posts are highlighting an ability and willingness to rotate the squad and still be effective.

Bohs are the best opposition team that I have seen this season despite the 1-0 loss in Oriel Park (yeah that one - where a late penalty was awarded for a foul at the box). They came into that match with seven changes and even with all those changes they still played to a cohesive plan with all the players integrating seamlessly into the tactical system. That is some achievement for the management team to pull all of that together particularly on a meager budget



Hopefully that's the mindset among the Derry squad ahead of Friday night

what Long/Croly have done is designed a template on how they want Bohs to play.All players those in and out of the starting 11 are schooled in that template so it makes rotation a bit easier (admittedly you have to take a chance on drop in quality with 2nd string players). whomever turns out or us plays ball pretty much the same way, the youth of some of our players has also helped (speedier recovery time). Most importantly last year we were crucified with the 'two games' a week schedule and our form improved dramatically as the season settled down.We knew what to expect and have adapted to try and minimize the impact, I guess other managers didn't.

The current schedule is farcical and serves no logical purpose at all for any of the stakeholders - players, management and most especially fans. at a time when clubs have done a lot to boost the numbers attending matches the overflow of games is business suicide in my opinion.

Agree with EZ, no idea why any manager would use fatigue as an excuse for a match next Friday, gives the palyers a ready made 'out' for a game they will need to be 100% focused on. Not quite a Bradley 'cup final' moment ;) but bad management by Devine in my view

[Martinho II]

Pass it across the back, hoof it up the wing, lose possession. Repeat.

when I was in cork for preseason in mayfield for our game I couldnt believe Cork was so poor. McNulty was awful that day for them, has he got worse for ye?

[Dalymountrower]

what Long/Croly have done is designed a template on how they want Bohs to play.All players those in and out of the starting 11 are schooled in that template so it makes rotation a bit easier (admittedly you have to take a chance on drop in quality with 2nd string players). whomever turns out or us plays ball pretty much the same way, the youth of some of our players has also helped (speedier recovery time). Most importantly last year we were crucified with the 'two games' a week schedule and our form improved dramatically as the season settled down.We knew what to expect and have adapted to try and minimize the impact, I guess other managers didn't.

The current schedule is farcical and serves no logical purpose at all for any of the stakeholders - players, management and most especially fans. at a time when clubs have done a lot to boost the numbers attending matches the overflow of games is business suicide in my opinion.

Agree with EZ, no idea why any manager would use fatigue as an excuse for a match next Friday, gives the palyers a ready made 'out' for a game they will need to be 100% focused on. Not quite a Bradley 'cup final' moment ;) but bad management by Devine in my view

Liam Coyle , doing the expert analysis on Radio Foyle last night was very fair, as you would expect from him. He did add though that Bohs had the " luxury" of resting eight players on Friday! The" luxury" of fielding half our under 19`s against Waterford? ffs.
Btw , although I like watching Bastien Hery with the ball, as it seems do most Ref`s , he has a nasty streak which most Ref`s ignore. Fair play to whoever copped on to him last night and carded him.
.

[mcgonigle]

Finn imo has been our player of the season so far. Not as spectacular as Byrne but unbelievably important to us. Phenomenal athlete.

No right back though 😉

[El-Pietro]

when I was in cork for preseason in mayfield for our game I couldnt believe Cork was so poor. McNulty was awful that day for them, has he got worse for ye?

He hasn't been great, but hes far from the biggest problem. Team has lost all confidence and are struggling to do the basics. They were better last night but still poor.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Caulfield needs to get into a few more fights on the sideline

[marinobohs]

Caulfield needs to get into a few more fights on the sideline

The beatings will continue until morale improves 😁

[White Horse]

https://www.offtheball.com/sport/john-caulfield-not-considering-position-cork-city-854061

Cork apparently competed for five years on a "shoestring budget". Obviously now struggling to compete with big spenders like Bohs.

[Charlie Darwin]

No right back though 
Not at all, no, but needs must. We'd Dunne on the bench but I think two 16 year olds in the backline would be too much even for Bradley. Finn was great for you though and it's great for us we have a captain who will sacrifice his own game to play wherever he's needed.

[shep]

Caulfield sacked!!!

[White Horse]

No doubt the "fans" who abused him (not this forum though) all over the internet for weeks will now laud him as a Cork legend.

[sbgawa]

Reminds me a bit of the end of the Fenlon era at Rovers , team playing terrible football and not getting results but Fenlon didn't have Caulfields haul of trophies to fall back on.
Still think its a bit mad that 13 games into the league the manager who holds all records for Cork can be sacked.
That being said it didn't appear he had a plan B.
Will be interesting to see how Cork line up/ play on Friday

[Dalymountrower]

Reminds me a bit of the end of the Fenlon era at Rovers , team playing terrible football and not getting results but Fenlon didn't have Caulfields haul of trophies to fall back on.
Still think its a bit mad that 13 games into the league the manager who holds all records for Cork can be sacked.
That being said it didn't appear he had a plan B.
Will be interesting to see how Cork line up/ play on Friday

Has all the appearance of the players pulling the plug and lobbying against him with their contacts on the Foras board. Not a nice way to go given that he has had nothing other than remarkable success in every other year of his career.

[brendy_éire]

Has all the appearance of the players pulling the plug and lobbying against him with their contacts on the Foras board.

The players certainly looked like they couldn't have been arsed last week at the Brandywell. It was especially obvious after they went a goal down.
Not exactly a fan of Caulfield or his style of play, but it feels like a harsh decision to sack him.

[PartySaint]

They players down in Cork have a lot to answer for, it is clear they have downed tools to get Caulfield out of the job. What has the reaction to be players been like lately down there from the Cork fans?

[El-Pietro]

They players down in Cork have a lot to answer for, it is clear they have downed tools to get Caulfield out of the job. What has the reaction to be players been like lately down there from the Cork fans?
I really don't think this is the case. I think a bad run of form has led to a complete loss in confidence. They aren't just playing badly, they seem to have lost all ability to do simple things well. On Monday the effort was there. Players chasing down everything but unable to execute.

[marinobohs]

I really don't think this is the case. I think a bad run of form has led to a complete loss in confidence. They aren't just playing badly, they seem to have lost all ability to do simple things well. On Monday the effort was there. Players chasing down everything but unable to execute.

I suppose the wisdom or otherwise of pulling the plug will only become apparent when we see who comes in and how they do. cant say I ever took to JC or his style of football but still sad to see someone, who was among Corks most successful ever, be sacked.
It seems all managerial careers are domed to end in failure :D (BTW hope any improvement happens AFTER Friday night !)

[mcgonigle]

Not at all, no, but needs must. We'd Dunne on the bench but I think two 16 year olds in the backline would be too much even for Bradley. Finn was great for you though and it's great for us we have a captain who will sacrifice his own game to play wherever he's needed.

Yes Finn was great for us no doubt, which is probably why he gets so much stick. Gave up a successful career for more money and an easier life. C'est la vie

[El-Pietro]

I suppose the wisdom or otherwise of pulling the plug will only become apparent when we see who comes in and how they do. cant say I ever took to JC or his style of football but still sad to see someone, who was among Corks most successful ever, be sacked.
It seems all managerial careers are domed to end in failure :D (BTW hope any improvement happens AFTER Friday night !)

I don't think the success or failure of his replacement has any bearing on whether remove JC was the right decision. I was always very pro Caulfield. I said before the game on Monday to my friends that we needed 7 points from the next three games or he had to go. Or 6 but with evidence of improved performances. We got neither the improved performance or the 3 points against Harps. I can't speak for the board but I'd imagine they had similar feelings, they wouldn't have wanted to sack him but they had to look at what was happening and see his inability to turn things around this season.

[Real ale Madrid]

They players down in Cork have a lot to answer for, it is clear they have downed tools to get Caulfield out of the job. What has the reaction to be players been like lately down there from the Cork fans?

Nonsense. The effort was always there. There was no downing of tools. In fact I'd worry that we won't see the 'bounce' effect you normally do when a manager leaves.