LOI in Europe 2022

[Philosophizer]

For beating the champions of Macedonia & Malta?while getting their ass penitrated repeatedly
Here we go again?

[2 Year Contract]

Here we go again?

Jesus the Wolfe Tones are everywhere this week

[CSAD]

Here we go again?

If you want it to stop then please stop pretending that beating the champions of Malta & Macedonia is some sort of achievement?best some real opposition first then maybe this argument will be taken seriously.

[placid casual]

The world is full of cretins. The DUP guy comparing the Irish women singing a wolfe tones song to singing about Al Quaieda or Hamas is another example.
As Rodney Dangerfield used to say "now you know why tigers ear their young"!!

[ger121]

Gent doing a ?They who shall not be named?

[joey B]

Djurgarden running away with Rovers group,funny thing is if Rovers won tonight they’d be right in the mix for second place….

[ger121]

4 nil now.

[pateen]

What ... to Djurgarden?

[ontheotherhand]

0-0 with Djurgarden starting to look like a decent result although I wasn't even that impressed by them on the night. Thought we should have won that one.

[MichaelCherrito]

As it ‘s been pointed out, the main thing is the title run-in. But any of the home games against Molde & Gent should be winnable, given how strong Rovers are at home and how average both of the mentioned teams are away from home.

[joey B]

Absolute sitter missed by Greene there…

[ger121]

That was harder to miss than score.

[TonyD]

That was harder to miss than score.

Indeed. Rovers much better so far. Decent chance for Finn too.

[pineapple stu]

Fofana offside for that I think?

[passinginterest]

Thought he looked miles off but think Byrne rushing back might have played him on. Sickening for Rovers as they were so dominant and have missed at least 3 great chances.

[joey B]

Looked at least a yard off…

[ger121]

Seen the screenshot of it on Twitter and he was way offside.

[paul_oshea]

Very entertaining game of football. Good old GAA expression put the ball dead. When you know youre going to be beaten on the counter make sure the ball goes dead.

Rovers have been very good and can count themselves unlucky to be 0-1 down but that's the level they are playing at.

[MichaelCherrito]

Rovers should at least be level after the first 45. They were lively for the first 30 minutes but, again, were guilty of not taking their chances. They lost their way a bit in the last 15 minutes but it should have been crazy that they had gone two down.

Great save from Mannus from that Fofana shot.

[joey B]

Poor goal to concede there,that should be that now…

[paul_oshea]

Regardless of the result, and the poor defending for the second. Its been a great game of football. a 0-1 loss would be fair enough but not a 2 goal defeat.

But it does prove that all the other wins at home were superficial really.

[pineapple stu]

Poor goal to concede there,that should be that now…
Yep. An unfortunately typical LoI performance in Europe really - no composure at all in front of goal, and undone by a set piece.

You also wonder what Rovers are going to do when Mannus finally does retire. No obvious replacement for him domestically I think.

Edit - good spot from the lino on Greene there, but you wonder how he gets that and misses the Molde opener.

[CSAD]

Poor goal to concede there,that should be that now?

They should make this comment the club motto at this point?

[RealJohn91]

Aaron Greene starting European group stage games tells you everything. They'll never beat decent teams in consequential games in Europe without vastly improving their attack and adding pace too.

[pineapple stu]

Another dreadful shot there almost out of the ground from the edge of the box.

Third or fourth time this half they've done that

[paul_oshea]

All these sky high shots is very poor. Not one on target

[ger121]

I could be wrong but Rovers might be the only team left in the competition not to score a goal. Think that says a lot because they have had lots of chances over the 4 games.

[RealJohn91]

I could be wrong but Rovers might be the only team left in the competition not to score a goal. Think that says a lot because they have had lots of chances over the 4 games.
Yep the only team who haven't, in comparison Ballkani, the Kosovo champions, have scored eight goals so far including five against a Turkish side.

[Philosophizer]

I could be wrong but Rovers might be the only team left in the competition not to score a goal. Think that says a lot because they have had lots of chances over the 4 games.
That?s very poor. How Greene missed that chance in the first half is beyond me.

[CSAD]

That?s very poor. How Greene missed that chance in the first half is beyond me.

No but you see they beat the champions of Malta & Macedonia so they?ve done great this year, they hit their bar?granted they set the bar pretty low but they managed to hit it.

[pineapple stu]

At least they've hit the bar - better showing than the entire group stage so far.

[sbgawa]

This thread has become a bit tiresome but faintly amusing as well at the poorly disguised twisted bitterness.
Please God we take 3 points in Drogheda or it will become the "how did Rovers manage to blow an inpregnable 5 point lead (with Derry to play) when the league was over" thread.

[A N Mouse]

For beating the champions of Macedonia & Malta?while getting their ass penitrated repeatedly by any side that was in any way decent?for you?re own sake don?t even dare celebrate that like it?s some achievement, the champions of Ireland should be expecting to make Europe with the route they had and to say otherwise again speaks of the minnowism this Rovers side posses.

No one said set the world alight?trust me Rovers have been on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, all that was wanted was Rovers to be respectable in the games regardless of the results?instead they have been an absolute disgrace from start to finish, and no the sides they are playing aren?t amazing?Rovers just make any side look amazing with how terrible they?ve been.

Exactly they are and that shows why Bradley isn?t up to scratch, any side with ambition would have sacked him ages ago.

Away back under your bridge, and rant about she-hulk to your muckers.

Despite myself, I am impressed though, you've simultaneous managed to misrepresent everything quoted while totally failing to address it.

But in summary your argument seems to be "Rovers were muck in the qualifiers, why can nobody see that? Rovers should be good now they're in the group, why are they trying to improve their odds of qualifying for the group next year instead of not being muck against these better teams?"

Oh, and the champions of Ireland get into Europe (almost) every year (generally not when they're relegated), they still have to do something to get into the groups. This lazy tired $hite about 'should be' beating teams from X, Y or Z is in fact minnowism. It's how articles about your 'summer holiday' end up on dressing room walls or you get thumped by Cyprus. If things worked like then we should have given up on european competition years ago?

And if you're looking words take your vulgar vacuous vicariousness with you.

[ger121]

This thread has become a bit tiresome but faintly amusing as well at the poorly disguised twisted bitterness.
Please God we take 3 points in Drogheda or it will become the "how did Rovers manage to blow an inpregnable 5 point lead (with Derry to play) when the league was over" thread.

I would like to think that you are not tarring everyone on here with the proverbial same brush. Most of us I?d say, are just interested observers in the annual European Journeys of LOI teams and like to post those observations with no ill will intended.
Rovers are right to prioritise the league. I seem to recall Flora picked up 5 points in the groups last season but lost out on the league to Levadia at the same time. They subsequently went out in the 1st qualifying round of ECL.
Anyway, balancing league title challenges and group stage football are nice problems to have. Beats having no challenges at all?

[placid casual]

The age old LOI problem of not having a European football quality striker emerges again.
I personally think Rovers are getting a bit overpraised for the performance last night as Molde were clearly the better team. Greeners miss in the first 5 mins summed up our lack of quality up front.
The officials were dire but that can happen.
My hope is that all of this is valuable learnings for Bradley in terms of Europe for next season and how to approach.
If it wasn't for those pesky derry kids and their meddlin we would have wrapped up the league and concentrated on Europe 😜.

[paul_oshea]

THey'll have to look at bringing in a striker and paying that bit more to get him if thats the next progression in Europe and if they are really serious about it at some point its a gamble they will have to take. A good scouting network might be an investment worth looking at for the longer term. For all the good underage structures, bazunu excepted, the moves and players coming through aren't setting the world or even league alight. Sometimes it takes out of the box thinking.

I remember mentioning on here about 10 years ago about forming scouting networks in South America or other places, an investment sure that seemed ridiculous given how underfunded and strap cashed clubs were, but when you look at Norway and Sweden this is what has set them apart and funds them year on year. It might not be the most morally responsible or right thing to do raiding AFrica for its best prospects but its working.

Oh and that whole thing about a good league and well run league makes for a good international team is clearly not always right. Norway are only a few places above Ireland in the international rankings but their league is miles ahead.

[sbgawa]

I would like to think that you are not tarring everyone on here with the proverbial same brush. Most of us I?d say, are just interested observers in the annual European Journeys of LOI teams and like to post those observations with no ill will intended.
Rovers are right to prioritise the league. I seem to recall Flora picked up 5 points in the groups last season but lost out on the league to Levadia at the same time. They subsequently went out in the 1st qualifying round of ECL.
Anyway, balancing league title challenges and group stage football are nice problems to have. Beats having no challenges at all?

No not everyone by any means.
I cant argue with Bradser benching Gaffney last night and Burke but at the same time i cant see Gaffney missing the chances Greene had.
We have been dissapointing this year in the Groups but im hopeful that next year we can either expand the squad with this years Euro money to be able to fight on both fronts....or maybe win the league earlier :)
Its hard to keep a big squad happy and we may not have the same level of long term injuries next year which would make it harder again. The amount of games Jack and Burkey missed killed us in the league in terms of drawing or losing gaems we should have drawn or won with them playing.
If i get my wish it would be for the club to go for one or two really top players rather than more of a similer level.
Where are they though?

[WeAreRovers]

They should make this comment the club motto at this point?

I'd rather go with the UEFA's description of Rovers this week as "the undisputed giants of the Irish game."

We were great last night, undone by the ridiculous non offside decision and the lack of a clinical striker.

Mannus yet again proving he's light years ahead of the rest of the keepers in the League. Will be very, very difficult to replace - as difficult as finding that elusive striker.

I see Celtic and Rangers getting the same unrealistic analysis of their European performances that Rovers get from some on here. Takes years of investment, planning, good recruitment and decision-making plus lots of luck to compete at a higher level, luckily the people who matter understand this obvious fact.

[sbgawa]

Leaving Derry out of the equation as your not going to get the likes of Duffy out of there who in the league is the best Striker tht would improve Rovers....keeping in mind Gaffney will probably win player of the year this year but is not prolific...
Hooban? never felt like he fits our style even if we could get him out of Dundalk
Going outside the league is difficult as Dundalk proved rather spectacularly but i dont see that 20 goal striker in the league.

[ger121]

The age old LOI problem of not having a European football quality striker emerges again.
I personally think Rovers are getting a bit overpraised for the performance last night as Molde were clearly the better team. Greeners miss in the first 5 mins summed up our lack of quality up front.
The officials were dire but that can happen.
My hope is that all of this is valuable learnings for Bradley in terms of Europe for next season and how to approach.
If it wasn't for those pesky derry kids and their meddlin we would have wrapped up the league and concentrated on Europe 😜.

I thought you played well. If Gaffney is on the end of that Towell cross, you are 1 up and it?s a different ball game. Once Molde has soaked up that early pressure and came out unscathed, they grew into the game. The first Molde goal was an awful call. Greene?s offside was very tight in my opinion. If VAR was available both those decisions could have been reversed.

[WeAreRovers]

Colm Whelan is the only realistic prospect from within the League, depending both on his recovery and what offers he has.

[ger121]

Leaving Derry out of the equation as your not going to get the likes of Duffy out of there who in the league is the best Striker tht would improve Rovers....keeping in mind Gaffney will probably win player of the year this year but is not prolific...
Hooban? never felt like he fits our style even if we could get him out of Dundalk
Going outside the league is difficult as Dundalk proved rather spectacularly but i dont see that 20 goal striker in the league.

What about Keena? Yes he is in contract but that has not stopped Sligo selling in the past for the right fee. You need a finisher and he has done very well this season in the league. Only 23 and 18 goals across all competitions. Is he worth splashing the cash vs the potential rewards from Europe?

[sbgawa]

What about Keena? Yes he is in contract but that has not stopped Sligo selling in the past for the right fee. You need a finisher and he has done very well this season in the league. Only 23 and 18 goals across all competitions. Is he worth splashing the cash vs the potential rewards from Europe?

He was on my mind when i wrote the original post but hes had 1 good season off the back of 32 appearences for Falkirk over 3 years and 6 goals
That being said Hoooobans and Gaffneys records in the UK were poor so maybe he is worth a shout.
Id actually forgotten about Colm Whelan, it would be unusual i think for him to get a move abroad off the back of a Cruciate injury without making a few appearances so maybe he could be the ansewer for Rovers next year

[pineapple stu]

Tommy Lonergan is outscoring Whelan this year in the Premier and may be in line for a move too.

[oriel]

Saw about 3/4 of the game, thought Rovers were unlucky, and that goal from Molde def offside. That's about as good as it gets, as I still don't think they have taken the group stages seriously and apart from last night have they even had a proper go at it?

Will repeat my comparison, in 2020 EL group stages a DFC team cobbled together with unrest all over the camp, mad cap (quite literally) owners, struggling in the league, and still scored in every game (apart from Arsenal away), and also scored 2 and 3 on other games, should have got a result in Vienna too, as they 'had a go', I`m not sure Rovers did. Plus not buying this cant fight on both fronts, that DFC team went on to win the cup same season.

Plus these are the games that Jack B is meant to really show his class in, has he really?

[sbgawa]

Saw about 3/4 of the game, thought Rovers were unlucky, and that goal from Molde def offside. That's about as good as it gets, as I still don't think they have taken the group stages seriously and apart from last night have they even had a proper go at it?

Will repeat my comparison, in 2020 EL group stages a DFC team cobbled together with unrest all over the camp, mad cap (quite literally) owners, struggling in the league, and still scored in every game (apart from Arsenal away), and also scored 2 and 3 on other games, should have got a result in Vienna too, as they 'had a go', I`m not sure Rovers did. Plus not buying this cant fight on both fronts, that DFC team went on to win the cup same season.

Plus these are the games that Jack B is meant to really show his class in, has he really?

In fairness to him he is only playing himself into form after a long lay off
The playing on two fronts is undeniably an issue hence Rovers approach. Dundalk finished 22 points behind Rovers in 2020 so they werent exactly distracted by a title chalenge and thats not me having a go just reality

[CSAD]

I'd rather go with the UEFA's description of Rovers this week as "the undisputed giants of the Irish game."

We were great last night, undone by the ridiculous non offside decision and the lack of a clinical striker.

Mannus yet again proving he's light years ahead of the rest of the keepers in the League. Will be very, very difficult to replace - as difficult as finding that elusive striker.

I see Celtic and Rangers getting the same unrealistic analysis of their European performances that Rovers get from some on here. Takes years of investment, planning, good recruitment and decision-making plus lots of luck to compete at a higher level, luckily the people who matter understand this obvious fact.

There is nothing gigantic about Rovers based on the embarrassment they?ve been in Europe, I find it impressive how a team of such much experience play like a pub team. I don?t remember Dundalk under Kenny or Rovers in O?Neill having to sacrifice Europe in order to win their league, there?s a giant (such as these teams) and then there is the current Rovers team who are happy to scrape the bare minimum of what they are capable of and no more.

You lost 2-0 against an average side you werent great, that?s the minnowism creeping in again. This further shows the lack of strength in character to respond when the going gets tough and B asks a question why hasn?t the clinical striker issue been resolved? You?ve known that Greene couldn?t hit a barn door for years yet why is he starting in 2022? Sligo, Bohemians, Dundalk have been able to find a clinical striker so it clearly can be done so less excuses please. It isn?t difficult, it?s difficult for Rovers because they are interested in evolving their squad, the fact they are reliant on a 42 year old in goal and have no plans to replace him says it all.

They understand it and yet a year or so after the Flora Tallinn embarrassment Rovers are making the same mistakes and have the same selection issues. I see a lot words being spoken about what Rovers need to do but what?s actually being done?

[CSAD]

Saw about 3/4 of the game, thought Rovers were unlucky, and that goal from Molde def offside. That's about as good as it gets, as I still don't think they have taken the group stages seriously and apart from last night have they even had a proper go at it?

Will repeat my comparison, in 2020 EL group stages a DFC team cobbled together with unrest all over the camp, mad cap (quite literally) owners, struggling in the league, and still scored in every game (apart from Arsenal away), and also scored 2 and 3 on other games, should have got a result in Vienna too, as they 'had a go', I`m not sure Rovers did. Plus not buying this cant fight on both fronts, that DFC team went on to win the cup same season.

Plus these are the games that Jack B is meant to really show his class in, has he really?

It?s all an act to cover the fact that Bradley is a complete spoofer.

[ontheotherhand]

The problem with finding a striker good enough to make a mark in Europe is that he's likely going to get noticed earlier than the group stages. Danny would have been very useful in these games. Hoban has it in him in fairness. Have to find the lad who went elsewhere and didn't make it but is still good enough or get someone tied down long term so you can fend off buyers. Burke could be it for us but he hasn't been fit enough and even fully fit he doesn't have the pace. More ability than a lot of what we have played but the bit of acceleration to really hurt teams is lacking. Jack just isn't the same unfortunately. Maybe he will get there next season but I have my doubts.

First goal was a killer really. Such a bad decision and then they compounded it by calling Greene off when he was on later. But hey, at least the neutrals got their good performance and the tone of the forum has completely changed! 😅 Meanwhile, we still got 0 points and have a more important game on Sunday.

I expected 4 points from the group. Gent at home is doable if we can beat drogs and pats beforehand but both are tricky.

[A N Mouse]

There is nothing gigantic about Rovers based on the embarrassment they?ve been in Europe, I find it impressive how a team of such much experience play like a pub team. I don?t remember Dundalk under Kenny or Rovers in O?Neill having to sacrifice Europe in order to win their league, there?s a giant (such as these teams) and then there is the current Rovers team who are happy to scrape the bare minimum of what they are capable of and no more.

You lost 2-0 against an average side you werent great, that?s the minnowism creeping in again. This further shows the lack of strength in character to respond when the going gets tough and B asks a question why hasn?t the clinical striker issue been resolved? You?ve known that Greene couldn?t hit a barn door for years yet why is he starting in 2022? Sligo, Bohemians, Dundalk have been able to find a clinical striker so it clearly can be done so less excuses please. It isn?t difficult, it?s difficult for Rovers because they are interested in evolving their squad, the fact they are reliant on a 42 year old in goal and have no plans to replace him says it all.

They understand it and yet a year or so after the Flora Tallinn embarrassment Rovers are making the same mistakes and have the same selection issues. I see a lot words being spoken about what Rovers need to do but what?s actually being done?

If you remeber MON's rovers retaining the league title at the same time as they played in european group stages then either you come from a different timeline or you might want to get checked over. Perhaps all that time spent turned to stone during daylight is affecting your memory?