We need to talk about Athlone

[SeanDrog]

Athlone beat Bray last night and are top of the table but it feels as if the general consensus is that they will fade and the start of the season title contender favs will takeover such as Shels, Galway etc heck even today Athlone are 7-1 to win the division despite their results and them currently sitting top of the table

I’m beginning to believe they might be contenders, when I look at their squad there are lads there with points to prove and the results to date have been great. The two lads from Drogs Wixted and Meaney are quality on their day.

So what do ppl think? Will Athlone fade or are they real title contenders?

[total hoofball]

I think they will finish top 4 not sure if they have enough to win it outright, they'll be in contention as their starting XI is full of players who have previously either won the division or played in teams coming close to winning it and players like Kurtis Byrne and James Doona who in spells got goals in the Premier Division. Carberry as manager might be the unknown quantity doesn't have much managerial experience at this level and is lucky to have kept his job after an awful first season and that embarrassment against Dundalk

Don't ask me where they suddenly have got all this money to strengthen their squad during a pandemic without attendances

[Bucket]

It will be interesting to see if the boycotting fans will return when crowds are allowed back

[Martinho II]

Yeah good pt about AC but he has made some interesting signings & has a few of our ex players likes of Tristan Noack Hofmann for example was with Bray.I think Athlone will be strong contenders imo. Where are they getting the money from for signings I hasten to add?

[gufct]

With no junior football some players who would have dropped down signed for Athlone and it’s only 70 miles from dublin.

[sbgawa]

I think they will finish top 4 not sure if they have enough to win it outright, they'll be in contention as their starting XI is full of players who have previously either won the division or played in teams coming close to winning it and players like Kurtis Byrne and James Doona who in spells got goals in the Premier Division. Carberry as manager might be the unknown quantity doesn't have much managerial experience at this level and is lucky to have kept his job after an awful first season and that embarrassment against Dundalk

Don't ask me where they suddenly have got all this money to strengthen their squad during a pandemic without attendances

The money is the PUP payments im guessing, they sign guys then put them on the Wage assistance

[Bucket]

When does PUP end? Will they still be able to pay the lads??

[sbgawa]

It will probably continue until crowds come back. Ironically that will be bad news unless crowds are bigger than I past years.

[nigel-harps1954]

When does PUP end? Will they still be able to pay the lads??

Think it's guaranteed to June with a review due then