LOI In Europe 2021

[Nesta99]

I'm not sure levada were always close games I think ( bar cork). And with the way Dundalk have been it's a decent result. No matter how often you keep playing the same teams(from one league v another) you won't always get through. I think Dundalk will do well to make it through this round , same for bohs too

Interesting slovan held young boys scoreless last night. Bradley was looking forward to seeing young boys

The bigger pitch will better suit Bohs, if they knock it about like they did the Icelandics they can exploit the space, from the little I saw of the game today it looked like a 3/4 size youth pitch and very compact.

[EalingGreen]

Larne 2 nil up against AGF from Denmark. Linfield winning too. Do these lads not take holidays anymore ��
Now you mention it, no, they don't.

Both clubs have gone full-time, as have the Glens* and Crues.

While Coleraine, who were competitive against Velez Mostar in twice losing 2-1, are still part-time.



* - For all the good it did them this season. :(

[ger121]

1.500 earned so far this season in Europe. Some winnable games ahead I think. You would hope we could get up over 2.000, which would go some way to replacing the big year (2016) we are losing for next year.

[ger121]

Now you mention it, no, they don't.

Both clubs have gone full-time, as have the Glens* and Crues.

While Coleraine, who were competitive against Velez Mostar in twice losing 2-1,

* - For all the good it did them this season. :(

In fairness the Northern Clubs have been performing very well in Europe in recent years. Started with Linfield and then others started chipping in too. 2 excellent wins tonight.

[Nesta99]

In fairness the Northern Clubs have been performing very well in Europe in recent years. Started with Linfield and then others started chipping in too. 2 excellent wins tonight.

Yeah its nice to have other clubs help chip in with the co-efficient now and again, LoI badly needed to share the burden better!!

[CorribsideSteve]

Dundalk on another night could have lost 4-1 OR won 3-2. Crazy opening 30 mins where they were so ridiculously open and vulnerable.Zahibo was the main culprit for both goals conceded I feel. My old man has a 1970s Massey Ferguson that's faster than him, and I hope that was one of his last games for the club.

Great credit to them though for not capitulating, and for the most part, finishing as the stronger team. What a player Patching is. How come it didn't work initially? His time at Derry really seems to have driven him on. McMillan though, ice cool finisher as always. He is so reliable.

Abibi to be fair to him could do little to prevent either goal, and some of his passes were actually very good, playing out of defence. How unlucky was McEleney with the mazy run he went on late in the match. I fancy them to beat Levadia next week, as long as Sloggett starts, and Zahibo is kept well away from proceedings. The commentator mentioned how Shields may have been holding him back, casting a big shadow. Thoughts on that Dundalk fans? You could tell too though that they really missed the trickery of Duffy, whom I hope will be right for the return game.

Regarding the various penalty shouts; the first one where (McMillans?) ankle seemed to be tapped in the box was a stonewall penalty IMO. The other shouts were less convincing, including the incident where the Dundalk player appeared to be barged in the back during a corner; you see that fairly often, where it'd be in the favor of the defender over the attacker.

Thank Jebus for no more away goals though. Its turning every game into an FA Cup style scenario.

Solid win for Bohs too. Luxembourg teams are no longer considered an easy game, and delighted that they will get such an attendance for the return leg at the Aviva.

[pineapple stu]

You would hope we could get up over 2.000, which would go some way to replacing the big year (2016) we are losing for next year.
Should be noted there's a bit of rating inflation now with the new formats - particularly with the CL losers transferring from the first round, and now potentially being able to lose twice and still get another draw. The bottom 20 or so nations used to average a steady 1.0 per year, but the last couple of years that's gone up to 1.3 and then 1.5 last year. This year it's already 1.1. The bottom 20 nations, on average, have a coefficient 1.15 higher than they did five years ago.

2.000 ain't what it used to be!

[swinfordfc]

1.500 earned so far this season in Europe. Some winnable games ahead I think. You would hope we could get up over 2.000, which would go some way to replacing the big year (2016) we are losing for next year.

We loss 2016 results last year - only the last 5 years result that count. At the moment if it stop now we move up to 43th placed in the table but some countries above us are losing big scores this year. We do need to positive results next week to push the league up further the table.

[pineapple stu]

Well, we had the 2016 results for this season's seedings. We lose it for next year's.

Although the national ranking doesn't do much in practical terms - we've a long way to go to start at a later round, and club rankings determine seeding.

Some countries around us are losing big scores this (ie next) year, but others are losing low scores. The Bert Kassies site lets you jump a year ahead - we go from 43rd to 42nd by dropping off 2017/18 scores

[swinfordfc]

Well, we had the 2016 results for this season's seedings. We lose it for next year's.

Although the national ranking doesn't do much in practical terms - we've a long way to go to start at a later round, and club rankings determine seeding.

Some countries around us are losing big scores this (ie next) year, but others are losing low scores. The Bert Kassies site lets you jump a year ahead - we go from 43rd to 42nd by dropping off 2017/18 scores

Sorry, my fault, taught we jump up more that that.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, we pass Albania, North Macedonia and Moldova, so it looks good, but the Faroes and Georgia lose very low scores.

Long way to go yet this season though, for everyone. (And of course those rankings would be missing next year's figures too) We've passed out Liechtenstein for example, but they're weird as they only have their Cup winners in Europe, so one win for Vaduz next week and could they go up 8 places.

[Nesta99]

Dundalk on another night could have lost 4-1 OR won 3-2. Crazy opening 30 mins where they were so ridiculously open and vulnerable.Zahibo was the main culprit for both goals conceded I feel. My old man has a 1970s Massey Ferguson that's faster than him, and I hope that was one of his last games for the club.

Great credit to them though for not capitulating, and for the most part, finishing as the stronger team. What a player Patching is. How come it didn't work initially? His time at Derry really seems to have driven him on. McMillan though, ice cool finisher as always. He is so reliable.

Abibi to be fair to him could do little to prevent either goal, and some of his passes were actually very good, playing out of defence. How unlucky was McEleney with the mazy run he went on late in the match. I fancy them to beat Levadia next week, as long as Sloggett starts, and Zahibo is kept well away from proceedings. The commentator mentioned how Shields may have been holding him back, casting a big shadow. Thoughts on that Dundalk fans? You could tell too though that they really missed the trickery of Duffy, whom I hope will be right for the return game.

Regarding the various penalty shouts; the first one where (McMillans?) ankle seemed to be tapped in the box was a stonewall penalty IMO. The other shouts were less convincing, including the incident where the Dundalk player appeared to be barged in the back during a corner; you see that fairly often, where it'd be in the favor of the defender over the attacker.

Thank Jebus for no more away goals though. Its turning every game into an FA Cup style scenario.

Solid win for Bohs too. Luxembourg teams are no longer considered an easy game, and delighted that they will get such an attendance for the return leg at the Aviva.

For what Zahibo is costing its almost criminal, its past the point of not being fit now, he doesnt have any pace, but maybe there is something in the role he is being used or system that doesnt suit. Either way if he isnt effective thats the bottom line. Playing Sloggett and Shields in the same side jut didnt work that well, too similar, both right sided players so Sloggett now being deployed in the Shields role, the role that suits him would always have meant some improvement in his performances (Lampard and Gerrard like conundrum :D). Stanton is left sided so played with Sloggett I think could be a handy combination and both have a good engine too. It was said somewhere that Patching was a bit too laid back when he arrived which I think was a nice way of saying he was late for training and a bit on the lazy side. FG must have put the foot down, obviously an error and showed some lacking in man management. For whatever reason he pulled his socks up at Derry and has carried that back to Oriel Park and is now showing the form that was his potential when signed. Its time to knuckle down and get people the likes of Patching signed up for next season as he will be in demand. If he went back to Derry, with McEleney and Duffy well it wouldnt be a bad start to Higgins rebuilding.

[pineapple stu]

Zahibo was supposed to be really highly-rated, wasn't he? Or was it that he did well in his first couple of games?

The Dundalk policy the last 18 months or so seems to have been to sign random foreigners who flop, while losing the decent Irish players. It's weird.

Any word of the rumoured summer transfers; think a couple of players were likely to be departing?

[paul_oshea]

For what Zahibo is costing its almost criminal, its past the point of not being fit now, he doesnt have any pace, but maybe there is something in the role he is being used or system that doesnt suit. Either way if he isnt effective thats the bottom line. Playing Sloggett and Shields in the same side jut didnt work that well, too similar, both right sided players so Sloggett now being deployed in the Shields role, the role that suits him would always have meant some improvement in his performances (Lampard and Gerrard like conundrum :D). Stanton is left sided so played with Sloggett I think could be a handy combination and both have a good engine too. It was said somewhere that Patching was a bit too laid back when he arrived which I think was a nice way of saying he was late for training and a bit on the lazy side. FG must have put the foot down, obviously an error and showed some lacking in man management. For whatever reason he pulled his socks up at Derry and has carried that back to Oriel Park and is now showing the form that was his potential when signed. Its time to knuckle down and get people the likes of Patching signed up for next season as he will be in demand. If he went back to Derry, with McEleney and Duffy well it wouldnt be a bad start to Higgins rebuilding.

What is he actually costing?

[Nesta99]

Its not so weird when you have a person who pulls the purse strings completely trusting of a player agent, in the way that agents have roles in US sport. Of course this isnt US sport and any agent here will take every opportunity to 'recommend' their players - if they get a cut of the transaction they'd be foolish not to seek as much money as possible - if people at a club that protest or try to put the breaks get sidelined as the agent has the ear of the money man well there is little weird about it, falling standards more fait accompli. Supremely naïve!! It would make you question the business acumen of owners when its allowed to pay over the top for new signings at the expense of tried and tested players. Now maybe those tried and tested have had their wages creep up significantly over the years so are on a premium wedge too but taking some pretty random punts has been false economy. If the money man was actually spending his own money directly rather than say prizemoney, you'd have to wonder whether things may have been different. It is unfortunate that one person seems to have seriously damaged a club and im not necessarily referring to a chairman. It would of course deprive some fans of other clubs p!ssing themselves with excitement at the prospect of a fall from grace which would be terribly unfair though they may be disappointed yet so should hold their water!

[Nesta99]

What is he actually costing?

In total, well Richie Towell would be an absolute bargain, maybe throw in Watts on top.

[sbgawa]

Interclub from Andorra beat Teuta 2 nil last night in Albania so looks like Rovers will be playing them in the 3rd round.

[Longfordian]

Zahibo was supposed to be really highly-rated, wasn't he? Or was it that he did well in his first couple of games?

The Dundalk policy the last 18 months or so seems to have been to sign random foreigners who flop, while losing the decent Irish players. It's weird.

Any word of the rumoured summer transfers; think a couple of players were likely to be departing?

Think it was, as is often the case in LOI, the level of club and league that he had played in before that generated the excitement rather than anyone actually knowing anything about him. Including Dundalk most likely.

[sbgawa]

Its the footballing equivalent of the Peter Principle.
Players transfer to a big club then a bigger club etc until they fail.
Then everyone says well look at that big club he played for he must be great , in actual fact he proved he wasnt good enough at that level hence he was let go

[pineapple stu]

Think it was, as is often the case in LOI, the level of club and league that he had played in before that generated the excitement rather than anyone actually knowing anything about him. Including Dundalk most likely.
Well he did play in La Liga (twice...in 2015), so he has to have had something about him at some stage. And played regularly in the MLS too, although that's notoriously variable with regards the players in it. A few marquee players and the rest complete journeymen. Still wouldn't have expected him to be playing quite as badly here as he seems to be.

[Nesta99]

LoI tougher than MLS!! Progress in standards....

When Trevor Anderson became manager at Dundalk there were a lot of people excited as on paper his rep was high and he ended up arguably the worst manager in the clubs history. From that alone we should be cautious on what are relative unknowns. FG can be scapegoated for these signings but Im not convinced that an agent didnt exploit an opportunity to get their dross contracts. Maybe Zahibo could come good but for the money supposedly involved it could go a good way to keeping Patching, Stanton and maybe even Sloggett!

Next weeks game could be pivtol and could determine the future involvement of Peak6. Win and it justifies some of their initial reason for buying the club, an average Dundalk side picking up nearly 1mil, added to last year, well if they are losing money thats their own doing. It's a pity there's a cup game this weekend. It could be our only way to qualify for Europe so must be held as very important but then so is progression next week. Tight on numbers so not really able to rest a whole lot of players and Treaty will be no mugs and will make it difficult. Probably the one time I dont want energy zapping heat in Ireland!

I woudnt call Rovers next opponents just yet but either way they should be in the PO round!

[Longfordian]

Well he did play in La Liga (twice...in 2015), so he has to have had something about him at some stage. And played regularly in the MLS too, although that's notoriously variable with regards the players in it. A few marquee players and the rest complete journeymen. Still wouldn't have expected him to be playing quite as badly here as he seems to be.

Yeah I'm not saying there wasn't some reason to be optimistic as fans like to be. Just that there's often more intangible things that will determine if they will be a good signing or not. What's his attitude like being a big one. Maybe they got good references in that regard from people other than his agent but it's hard to know with the current regime in Dundalk.

[Nesta99]

Yeah I'm not saying there wasn't some reason to be optimistic as fans like to be. Just that there's often more intangible things that will determine if they will be a good signing or not. What's his attitude like being a big one. Maybe they got good references in that regard from people other than his agent but it's hard to know with the current regime in Dundalk.

The one absolute is that it damages other players' morale/attitude or whatever. Its an issue with any club, at any level, when a player comes in on better terms than the rest of the squad. But if they come in and are not up to scratch, in ability and especially in effort, then it disrupts the dressing room. I dont know what Zahibo is like as a personality or as a professional in training but if I were earning €500 and bossing games and another chap is on multiples of that and walking around in games, it would bug me. There is the nonchalant type player and then there is the disinterested - not being able to get to games its not so obvious which Zahibo is but we were definitely in better control of midfield when Zahibo was subbed last night with sustained pressure and less sloppy in midfield. It's probably not fair to take that half hour in isolation but there is little to suggest that previous games were much different. Again its not so much the player as it is what you are getting, so far, for the outlay.

[pineapple stu]

it's hard to know with the current regime in Dundalk.
Yeah, that kind of sums things up alright. If it was a one-off, you'd say it was unfortunate, but it seems to have been the case with most of their imports. The Korean lad was talked up too and seems to have flopped.

I found this online (https://www.spotrac.com/mls/houston-dynamo/wilfried-zahibo-24896/) actually which says Zahibo's 2019 salary with New England Revolution was $583k (MLS publish all salaries). That's roughly €9k/week. I doubt he's on that with Dundalk, but I doubt he's on a grand a week either.

[Nesta99]

The 1st Korean target was talked up but not so much Han. That was just very random imo!!? I dont think he is a bust mind, he could be a good signing but needs time moreso than some of the other signings. More potential than Mitdtskogen I think, unless we are playing with an out and out target man.

[nigel-harps1954]

Yeah, that kind of sums things up alright. If it was a one-off, you'd say it was unfortunate, but it seems to have been the case with most of their imports. The Korean lad was talked up too and seems to have flopped.

I found this online (https://www.spotrac.com/mls/houston-dynamo/wilfried-zahibo-24896/) actually which says Zahibo's 2019 salary with New England Revolution was $583k (MLS publish all salaries). That's roughly €9k/week. I doubt he's on that with Dundalk, but I doubt he's on a grand a week either.

You're in dreamland if you think he's on less than a grand. I've heard figures mentioned close to 5k per week.

[pineapple stu]

I don't think he's on less than a grand. That was sarcasm

[nigel-harps1954]

I don't think he's on less than a grand. That was sarcasm

My mistake so.

[pineapple stu]

Teuta 1-0 up in Andorra after an hour - the comeback is on!

Winners play Rovers next

[ger121]

2 nil now. Probably go to ET. Hard to know who they would want in the next round

[yurt]

You would have to imagine that playing the Andorrans would be preferable. That game gone to ET now, hopefully they can squeak through somehow.

In the Champions League games it's good news for Rovers so far as it looks like there's no upsets on the cards. Will be teams from Estonia, Finland, Cyprus and Lithuania will be 4 of the 10 teams playing in the Europa League PO with the losers of that round being the possible opposition to Rovers in the conference league playoff round should they make it.

[ger121]

3 nil now. Looks like Albania

[Dalymountrower]

3 nil now. Looks like Albania
Tricky tie.

[SPXcyan]

After last weeks performance I really wasn't expecting that at all.

[ger121]

They were hammered 5-0 over two legs by Sheriff and lost at home 2-0 last week. Hard to know what side will turn up vs Rovers but no doubt a more difficult tie than the Andorrans.

[pateen]

Any of Thursday's games on the box?

[holidaysong]

The Dundalk game is on LOITV.

[nr637]

How are ticket sales going for the Bohs game at the Aviva tomorrow, will it be an 8,000 sell-out, hopefully after the first leg result there should be a demand!

[nigel-harps1954]

How are ticket sales going for the Bohs game at the Aviva tomorrow, will it be an 8,000 sell-out, hopefully after the first leg result there should be a demand!

It sold out last week an hour or so after general sale.

[Straightstory]

Both games on LOI tv. I think Dundalk will go out, but Bohs will scrape through with a draw.

[paul_oshea]

Dundalk is 5.30 so thats good.

[pineapple stu]

Both games on LOI tv. I think Dundalk will go out, but Bohs will scrape through with a draw.
You'd hope for a win and a draw again I guess. Dudelange should be stronger than last week as pre-season kicks in, but home advantage will hopefully offset that for Bohs. Dundalk - it's impossible to tell with them really, but needing extra-time to beat Treaty isn't ideal prep.

[Nesta99]

You'd hope for a win and a draw again I guess. Dudelange should be stronger than last week as pre-season kicks in, but home advantage will hopefully offset that for Bohs. Dundalk - it's impossible to tell with them really, but needing extra-time to beat Treaty isn't ideal prep.

Its is impossible to know which Dundalk will turn up! The extra half hour v Treaty is less an issue in terms of prep/energy levels than the average performance and needing ET to win. In previous years when games were coming thick and fast the players have said they preferred to be playing than training if it builds momentum. As long as there were no injuries to players that VP was forced to bring on to beat Treaty I think we will be ok on the prep side of things - just need to add more consistent good performances. We've learned that Levadia are very attacking orientated, keeper is a bit ropey, cough up chances so nothing like Dundalk at all!! That they dont sit in deep suits us and I dont think we will be caught just as cold again but have to be patient. There is no need to force the game or play high risk high reward stuff with the rule change and that they are at home. It wont be just as warm as it was here the last couple of weeks but will be quite humid - Measured and composed isnt too much to hope for!? Hoped Duffy would be back whatever 'personal health reason' is, isolating with covid is the general assumption but I dont think anything more official has been said. If true hopefully not a long covid issue.

Bohs are in a great position and the bigger pitch will suit them, if they play anywhere near the previous performance at the Aviva they're through.

I see that Inter coughed up their lead against the Albanians in the end. Shows that Teuta have a little bit of fight in them. Rovers still big favourites to make the PO round, joking aside the draw has been kind after playing/losing one tie, to be in that round from being unseeded even if via the champions pathway - it emphasises how badly P6 messed up their own investment in Dundalk, league champions and seeded is such an opportunity especially considering what they've payed players. Rovers will need to guard against being sucker punched though I doubt they will be that complacent, it would be a big shock not to go through comfortably!

[sbgawa]

Its is impossible to know which Dundalk will turn up! The extra half hour v Treaty is less an issue in terms of prep/energy levels than the average performance and needing ET to win. In previous years when games were coming thick and fast the players have said they preferred to be playing than training if it builds momentum. As long as there were no injuries to players that VP was forced to bring on to beat Treaty I think we will be ok on the prep side of things - just need to add more consistent good performances. We've learned that Levadia are very attacking orientated, keeper is a bit ropey, cough up chances so nothing like Dundalk at all!! That they dont sit in deep suits us and I dont think we will be caught just as cold again but have to be patient. There is no need to force the game or play high risk high reward stuff with the rule change and that they are at home. It wont be just as warm as it was here the last couple of weeks but will be quite humid - Measured and composed isnt too much to hope for!? Hoped Duffy would be back whatever 'personal health reason' is, isolating with covid is the general assumption but I dont think anything more official has been said. If true hopefully not a long covid issue.

Bohs are in a great position and the bigger pitch will suit them, if they play anywhere near the previous performance at the Aviva they're through.

I see that Inter coughed up their lead against the Albanians in the end. Shows that Teuta have a little bit of fight in them. Rovers still big favourites to make the PO round, joking aside the draw has been kind after playing/losing one tie, to be in that round from being unseeded even if via the champions pathway - it emphasises how badly P6 messed up their own investment in Dundalk, league champions and seeded is such an opportunity especially considering what they've payed players. Rovers will need to guard against being sucker punched though I doubt they will be that complacent, it would be a big shock not to go through comfortably!


I'm not sure a LOI team not going through could ever be a big shock LOL but yes we should be looking to get past these if we can perform to the levels we hit against Slovan. Getting through (1 if) and winning the league (2 ifs) would/Should see us seeded in the first round of the Champions league next year which should give us a great chance of getting a winnable first round.
Its a double whammy if we lose, gutted AND probably unseeded next year

[pineapple stu]

Its is impossible to know which Dundalk will turn up! The extra half hour v Treaty is less an issue in terms of prep/energy levels than the average performance and needing ET to win.
Yeah, it's not the extra half-hour so much as the fact that if ye couldn't beat Limerick in 90 minutes, even a weak European opponent like Tallinn is going to be tough!

[Nesta99]

Yeah, it's not the extra half-hour so much as the fact that if ye couldn't beat Limerick in 90 minutes, even a weak European opponent like Tallinn is going to be tough!

I agree totally, too much focus locally is on the extra half hour game time and less on the performance - getting excuses in early maybe. I think Treaty would have been a tricky cup game for any side and its a credit to them in their 1st season. I think this season especially we have struggled most against teams that let us have the ball and sit in. I dont think Levadia can play that way especially at home and it suits us better. A big jump in performance is needed but there were some good spells in the 1st leg, didnt make sustained pressure count, but there was enough to suggest that we have a good chance of going through if we put a decent shift. I'm more hopeful than having expectation, which seems to be the general consensus rather than just my usual expect the worst and be happily surprised. Any last minute shenanigans that puts us out and I may retire as a fan for the rest of the season.....

[Martinho II]

Heard from a bohs fan that if bohs get thro tonight they will play against PAOK on tuesday in the aviva as shamrock rovers have first call on venue. Think thats a tad unfair imo.

[Nesta99]

I'm not sure a LOI team not going through could ever be a big shock LOL but yes we should be looking to get past these if we can perform to the levels we hit against Slovan. Getting through (1 if) and winning the league (2 ifs) would/Should see us seeded in the first round of the Champions league next year which should give us a great chance of getting a winnable first round.
Its a double whammy if we lose, gutted AND probably unseeded next year

Very true, lost the run of myself there;). Nah I think Rovers are professional enough, never mind being the much better side, to see it through over two legs. If it were the one off games like last year anything could happen ala any cup tie. Again maybe its been said before but the sort of intangible value to getting seeded is being undervalued by our owners and Rovers experience this season shows it. One win as a seeded side in UCL and still parachute twice more (Dundalk possibly seeded in EL QR2 also) in to a PO round if ye lose - criminal waste and mismanagement for 'investors' when a budget should have you in the title race - talk about shooting yerself in the foot. At this stage its possible to consider about $1mil minimum most seasons and with a decent chance of significantly more. How hard can it be to get the domestic house in order with resources available and the incentive. You are being a bit like myself though sbgawa in fearing the disappointment especially considering the significance of one very very winnable tie!!

[Nesta99]

Heard from a bohs fan that if bohs get thro tonight they will play against PAOK on tuesday in the aviva as shamrock rovers have first call on venue. Think thats a tad unfair imo.

I think thats a UEFA ruling. If 2 sides from the one country/city are drawn at home same night then the highest ranked side or higher competition get first dibs on date and venue. Open to correction on that though though of course the FAI is just an extension of SRFC so would get 1st option anyway.

[sbgawa]

Heard from a bohs fan that if bohs get thro tonight they will play against PAOK on tuesday in the aviva as shamrock rovers have first call on venue. Think thats a tad unfair imo.


Rovers will not play in the Aviva so Bohs can have it any day they want.