LOI in Europe 2022

[paul_oshea]

Rovers are playing like their first leg first half away games. Everything's slower, the turn , the pace , the touch, getting to the ball.

They need a spark like Burke or jack. Djugardens aren't that much better but they're applying the pressure

[D24Saint]

Boring game so far.

[paul_oshea]

I think this shows the size of the task ahead for rovers. And it reads more clearly than what was generally considered impressive wins at home against superior opposition with less to play for.

That said they've done ok

[kksaints]

Good atmosphere here in Tallaght anyway, not sure how it sounds on the telly although there's a few empty seats around particularly in the East Stand. Rovers have done alright but they've only had one shot that I can recall and they're far too ponderous in attack. Greene really isn't up to starting at this level. Watts has done well enough because he usually doesn't look good enough in the Euro matches. The Swedes haven't been that good but they've had the better chances mostly from Rovers mistakes.

[SPXcyan]

From my BT Sports stream the mics appear to be only at the Djurgarden end, cannot hear anything coming from the Rover support which is disappointing, also the same story tapping into a Swedish stream, make it sound like there's no interest from the home support.

[pineapple stu]

Jaysus, Greene won't get a better chance than that.

Rovers starting the second half like Djurgarden started the first

[paul_oshea]

Ah that was difficult well at least after the fumble or stumble.

Rovers upped the tempo there for a bit but lacking that cutting edge too many aimless balls

[brendy_éire]

Good atmosphere here in Tallaght anyway, not sure how it sounds on the telly although there's a few empty seats around particularly in the East Stand.

Presume it's because of where they are in relation to the mics, but the Djurgarden fans are by far the most audible.

Not the greatest of games entertainment-wise, truth be told. Rovers have done ok, but you feel like they need to be taking their chances in what is the 'easiest' game of the group.
Djurgarden seem technically decent, but lacking that final ball.

As an aside, Virgin's picture quality is crap, but BT Sport's is spot on. What's the issue there?

[ger121]

Presume it's because of where they are in relation to the mics, but the Djurgarden fans are by far the most audible.

Not the greatest of games entertainment-wise, truth be told. Rovers have done ok, but you feel like they need to be taking their chances in what is the 'easiest' game of the group.
Djurgarden seem technically decent, but lacking that final ball.

As an aside, Virgin's picture quality is crap, but BT Sport's is spot on. What's the issue there?

Is Virgin Media not in HD?

[paul_oshea]

I can't see Rovers getting another point in this group, might sound harsh but overall today they offered no real threat going forward. You bring on jack Byrne but then every second ball is long. Are rovers fans happy with a point now? But realise in the morning that's their best chance of 3

[ger121]

I can't see Rovers getting another point in this group, might sound harsh but overall today they offered no real threat going forward. You bring on jack Byrne but then every second ball is long. Are rovers fans happy with a point now? But realise in the morning that's their best chance of 3

When you have never won a point before and are nearly odds on to lose the game, you’d take a point. The other game finished 0-0 so you certainly don’t want to lose the 1st game.

[Real ale Madrid]

Thought Rovers did well. Plenty chances. Joint top of the group.

[Nesta99]

You have to be happy getting off the mark in the first game! It wasnt the best of performances by Rovers so they could pull a result in the reverse fixture. That said it is these two fixtures that ye feel Rovers need to make hay. Could have won it too. Was a bit underwhelmed by Djurgardans tbh. I will stick with my opinon that more games in Europe leads to better and more consistent performances so plenty to go yet. The Achilles heel of Irish sides in Europe is still not being efficiently ruthless and making chances count - 3 or 4 chances get spurned in a game that a LoI side could be dominating and then one chance to the opposition and its clinically dispatched. Rover do have the resources to throw the net far and wide to find that real finisher, even if there are some kids there that have bags of potential.

[ontheotherhand]

I can't see Rovers getting another point in this group, might sound harsh but overall today they offered no real threat going forward. You bring on jack Byrne but then every second ball is long. Are rovers fans happy with a point now? But realise in the morning that's their best chance of 3

Happy enough paul although for me we had the better chances via Gaffney and Watts so it feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. That said the injury to Hoare and then Gannon picking up a knock and having to continue on stunted us for the final 20 minutes so it felt ok to get a draw at the final whistle. A point on the board when we haven't played particularly well isn't too bad at this level and I think we can raise our game quite a bit with Burke to come in to the side.

[2 Year Contract]

Poor game, thought rovers could have nicked it though. Severe lack of attacking quality shown by both teams for a European group stage match. How much is the draw worth to rovers again does anyone know? And how much would a win have been worth?

[ger121]

Poor game, thought rovers could have nicked it though. Severe lack of attacking quality shown by both teams for a European group stage match. How much is the draw worth to rovers again does anyone know? And how much would a win have been worth?

€166,000 vs €500,000 for a win.

[pineapple stu]

Decent point alright. Not sure why Rovers dropped off so much in the last ten. Thought Djurgarden generally looked the better on general play, but had some poor decisions in front of goal (the 2 v 1 the most obvious one). You do feel that Rovers didn't really create enough in, as brendy says, probably the easiest game of the group.

Gent away will be a different kettle of fish now given Rovers' poor away form in the groups.

[Real ale Madrid]

Greene pushed by the keeper pretty blatantly when rounding him at start of second half. Only seeing it on highlights now

[pineapple stu]

Didn't think that was a push, and no-one called for it or mentioned it on commentary?

Coefficient update is we're up to 35th, having passed out Finland. Their group stage team lost to a La Liga side in the EL, so a flaw in the coefficient there. But have to watch Liechtenstein - Vaduz drew in the ECL tonight, missing a late penalty, and close right up behind us as they get four times as many points for each result (because they've only one team)

Kosovo and Latvia ahead of us got draws, and Moldova got a win

[Real ale Madrid]

Didn't think that was a push, and no-one called for it or mentioned it on commentary?


No, but looking back the keeper pushes him as he goes round him. Clever from the keeper. Maybe Greene could have made something of it but I think he thought he would score anyway. In the end he didn't even shoot.

[Philosophizer]

Rovers end made a great racket, especially in the 2nd half with some hilarious "Hammerby" chants that seemed to really wind up the Swedes. Pity the TV crew screwed up the mic placement.

[CorribsideSteve]

Pretty decent result for Rovers. They were swamped early on but weathered it somewhat. They came out in 2nd half with so much more purpose though. Jack Byrne getting more game time under his belt, made some great passes. Watts probbly should have scored. Overall though they'd have to be fairly happy with that. Nearly 200k for a draw. Not a bad evening's work. It was vital not to have started with a loss also. First group stage point in Europe too.

[placid casual]

Disappointed to only emerge with a point in the end, albeit the first 10 mins were difficult to watch. Djurgarden looked as bad up front as we did, in truth, and Rovers spurned some good chances in the first 20 mins of the 2bd half. Had go hang on for the last 10 mins as Rovers were effectively playing with 10 men as Gannon looked crocked.
Neither Byrne nor Gaffney added anything positive when they came on. The discussion about possible €1M transfers from LOI could and should involve Justin Ferazaj - he's 17. 17....!!!
Rovers first point in group stages. Onwards to beer, chocolate and football in Ghent!

[Straightstory]

Is Virgin Media not in HD?
Virgin Media is not in HD - although if you subscribe to Virgin it might be.

[kksaints]

Thought Rovers did well for the first 30 minutes of the second half and could easily have scored. But they tired considerably in the last 15 minutes and while the Swedes didn't create anything massively clearcut were hanging on somewhat. Thought Byrne and Gaffney were dreadful when they came on which was surprising. Byrne in particular made no impact. Think Watts and O'Neil had fine game considering they've never really looked up to the European level qualitywise before.

As an aside with the defensive injuries Rovers suffered tonight and their decline in energy levels towards the end of their 2nd half there's still a chance for Derry or Dundalk to maybe put the cats amongst the pigeons somewhat if they can put together a winning run.

[Peaky Blinder]

To put it into perspective. Rovers earned more last night in that game than they will if they go on to win the league. That shows the importance of winning the league, not for the prizemoney, but for access into the champions path in european competition where the real monetary rewards are. Never before has winning the league been so important IMO in terms of financial reward and its crucial IMO that Rovers turn their heads back to the league & don't let that slip through fatigue/injury brought about from having played 14 games in european competition. The facts are we wont be qualifying out of the group & have already surpassed many expectations by simply earning a point (I expected 6 defeats myself) and earned enough by simply getting to the groups to have made the whole adventure worthwhile. But its vital for the club to win the league again and push on next year to repeat this level of performance & lay down a marker for regular group qualification.

[paul_oshea]

Thought Rovers did well for the first 30 minutes of the second half and could easily have scored. But they tired considerably in the last 15 minutes and while the Swedes didn't create anything massively clearcut were hanging on somewhat. Thought Byrne and Gaffney were dreadful when they came on which was surprising. Byrne in particular made no impact. Think Watts and O'Neil had fine game considering they've never really looked up to the European level qualitywise before.

As an aside with the defensive injuries Rovers suffered tonight and their decline in energy levels towards the end of their 2nd half there's still a chance for Derry or Dundalk to maybe put the cats amongst the pigeons somewhat if they can put together a winning run.

It wasnt in the 97th minute when Rovers tired either more like the 77th! They are a professional outfit playing in their 9th European game they should be well able to keep going for the whole 90 minutes. This a young team a couple of games a week shouldnt be a problem with the size of the squad.

[EatYerGreens]

To put it into perspective. Rovers earned more last night in that game than they will if they go on to win the league. That shows the importance of winning the league, not for the prizemoney, but for access into the champions path in european competition where the real monetary rewards are. Never before has winning the league been so important IMO in terms of financial reward and its crucial IMO that Rovers turn their heads back to the league & don't let that slip through fatigue/injury brought about from having played 14 games in european competition. The facts are we wont be qualifying out of the group & have already surpassed many expectations by simply earning a point (I expected 6 defeats myself) and earned enough by simply getting to the groups to have made the whole adventure worthwhile. But its vital for the club to win the league again and push on next year to repeat this level of performance & lay down a marker for regular group qualification.

It shows how appalling the prize money is in Irish football, and the fact ther FAI need to increase it significantly once they get out of the Delaney-shaped financial hole (which will require at least one major tourament qualification to undo)

[TonyD]

Thought Byrne and Gaffney were dreadful when they came on which was surprising. Byrne in particular made no impact. Think Watts and O'Neil had fine game considering they've never really looked up to the European level qualitywise before.
.

Byrne did play that lovely ball over the top to put Gaffney in to be fair. If Gaffney had been able to get to it quicker he might have had a better chance with the finish. Angle was very tight when he did get to the ball.

[sbgawa]

It wasnt in the 97th minute when Rovers tired either more like the 77th! They are a professional outfit playing in their 9th European game they should be well able to keep going for the whole 90 minutes. This a young team a couple of games a week shouldnt be a problem with the size of the squad.

A) The squad isnt big and is decimated with half fit or unfit players at the moment, the core of the team have played almost every match
B) Its actually quite an old team average age late 20's
c) Rovers drew and could have won against a Swedish team 1 point off the top of their league , a team that the bookies had as odds on favourites.
.

[ger121]

A) The squad isnt big and is decimated with half fit or unfit players at the moment, the core of the team have played almost every match
B) Its actually quite an old team average age late 20's
c) Rovers drew and could have won against a Swedish team 1 point off the top of their league , a team that the bookies had as odds on favourites.
.

As the old saying goes. Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

[sbgawa]

As the old saying goes. Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
True it is POS at the end of the day

[paul_oshea]

A) The squad isnt big and is decimated with half fit or unfit players at the moment, the core of the team have played almost every match
B) Its actually quite an old team average age late 20's
c) Rovers drew and could have won against a Swedish team 1 point off the top of their league , a team that the bookies had as odds on favourites.
.

Taking out mannus the average age from the players that played was about 27.5. That is not old, certainly in football terms its a footballer at their peak. The central midfield areas on the older side fair enough but it was the whole team.
Granted there has been injuries to key players(burke, byrne, lopes) and the sale of another.. But 15-16(maybe 18/19 different lads in total?) lads consistently used building up plenty of game time and conditioning to the pace and stamina required for European football.

[Asterix]

Away allocation for gent on Thursday apparently sold out. 1000 tickets

[nr637]

Away allocation for gent on Thursday apparently sold out. 1000 tickets

Well done to all who are travelling!

Ghent is a great addition to any vacation in Belgium. It's easy to get around and has unique historical buildings and picturesque views. The tourist-oriented attractions are mixed with a local flavor that makes Ghent feel real and laid-back—the kind of place you'd like to hang out for a while.

:ball:

[EatYerGreens]

Well done to all who are travelling!

Ghent is a great addition to any vacation in Belgium. It's easy to get around and has unique historical buildings and picturesque views. The tourist-oriented attractions are mixed with a local flavor that makes Ghent feel real and laid-back—the kind of place you'd like to hang out for a while.

:ball:

As Belgium's a constitutional monarchy, it's also an opportunity for Rovers fans to practise singing 'What's it like to have a king' at the bemused locals :D

[pateen]

Any Rovers fans on here know of a London pub thats draws a few fans for Thurs game?

[EatYerGreens]

Any Rovers fans on here know of a London pub thats draws a few fans for Thurs game?

There must be one near Buckingham Palace that Rovers fans would be made very welcome in, after their new found fame of last week? :D

[TonyD]

There must be one near Buckingham Palace that Rovers fans would be made very welcome in, after their new found fame of last week? :D

That was all just a terrible misunderstanding. In fact the Rovers fans were singing “Lizzie’s in the box” A reference to her well known striking prowess in her younger days. :D

[paul_oshea]

Any Rovers fans on here know of a London pub thats draws a few fans for Thurs game?

A general good football pub is probably the sheephaven there should be a few in there.

[Philosophizer]

There must be one near Buckingham Palace that Rovers fans would be made very welcome in, after their new found fame of last week? :D
That video has now hit 10M views!

[DCSIL]

A general good football pub is probably the sheephaven there should be a few in there.

Just up the road is the Oxford Arms, ran by people from Mayo it seems and a few big screens.

[2 Year Contract]

Rovers 19s were smashed 5-0 away to AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Youth League this evening

[Nesta99]

We've had some decent performances in the UEFA Youth League in recent years so thats quite a chastening result.

[pateen]

A general good football pub is probably the sheephaven there should be a few in there.

Cheers Paul

[Philosophizer]

Rovers 19s were smashed 5-0 away to AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Youth League this evening
Oof wasn't expecting that. I saw that had Tetteh in the side too.

[paul_oshea]

Just up the road is the Oxford Arms, ran by people from Mayo it seems and a few big screens.

I havent seen LOI on there before though and with United playing I doubt they will show it.


https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2022/09/15/gent-vs-shamrock-rovers-preview-tv-details-kick-off-time-europa-conference-league-2022/

An Away draw would be a very good result.

[swinfordfc]

Awful stuff from Rovers in the build up to the goal ... Wide open away from home!

[pineapple stu]

Good news for Rovers is Jack Byrne comes back into the lineup.

Bad news is they've kept Gent at bay only for ten minutes...

All not lost while it's only 1-0 of course, but hard not to think back to previous Euro away games already

[paul_oshea]

It's old school defending coming out of the closet here now, and they're showing it over the united game. I think stus point fairly holds water.