Games weekend 16th to 18th March 2023

[Dermobohs]

Well we are 10 points ahead of the League Champions and pre-season favourites so who knows if that makes us credible league opponents come the end of the season, but right now we are more credible than some.
Ger, not a feckin hope we will be top 2, squads waaay too light. Flores Buckley, Afolabi, and either of the Polish Pillars get injured, well, we are well and truly light to put it mildly.
Take your arm off now for third, which I doubt, but we’re going to win the cup I heard…..

[dundalkfc10]

That's absolutely disgusting stuff. Lad should get a permanent ban.


A ban is too easy on him, If the Taaffe family are willing, he should have to face them and hear them talk about the tragedy that he is belitting!


Ger, not a feckin hope we will be top 2, squads waaay too light. Flores Buckley, Afolabi, and either of the Polish Pillars get injured, well, we are well and truly light to put it mildly.
Take your arm off now for third, which I doubt, but we’re going to win the cup I heard…..

More chance of Dundalk winning Conference League than Flores not getting injured

[Dermobohs]

More chance of Dundalk winning Conference League than Flores not getting injured
Yes but he’s really playing well atm under Devine, and looks hungry for it ,imo our best player so far by a mile.

[outspoken]

Are you really saying the ref got the call right in the first half??? As I said, brutal match. 0-0 would of been a fair result. We don't have a goal poacher. If we concede, a draw looks to be the best we can hope for as we ain't getting more than 1 goal in a game!

What I'm saying is if you turn in a performance like that you deserve absolutely nothing. Can't be relying on refs in this league of all leagues. Has to be one of the worst games I've ever watched in Bishopsgate and we somehow found a way to lose it against an equally terrible team

[outspoken]

It was chronic but we'll take the win! Yeah you should have had a peno in the first half. Would like to see ours again. Pretty far away from where we were standing. Seemed the defender caught Okwute in the back. No goals from open play yet but we look defensively solid. I'd be surprised if either side are near the playoff shake-up but early days yet

Okwute literally looks over his shoulder and put his body in front of O'Connor as if to say please touch me and the young lad did exactly what he asked for and ran into him. Stupid stuff but that's what you'll get with young players, he'll learn from it

[nigel-harps1954]

Okwute literally looks over his shoulder and put his body in front of O'Connor as if to say please touch me and the young lad did exactly what he asked for and ran into him. Stupid stuff but that's what you'll get with young players, he'll learn from it

Exactly what happened. Okwute was smart about it, but O'Connor had no need to run into him like he did, and caused a needless penalty, because neither side really looked like scoring from open play otherwise. I've a camera angle behind the goal as well that shows much the same as Longford LOITV stream did. Excellent by Okwute, to be fair to him, but horrible defending. Either way, it was a penalty, and I'm not sure there can be many complaints about that decision from home supporters.

There were many other questionable calls from the referee throughout the game that can be looked at before the penalty decision.

[Another Bohemia]

Ger, not a feckin hope we will be top 2, squads waaay too light. Flores Buckley, Afolabi, and either of the Polish Pillars get injured, well, we are well and truly light to put it mildly.
Take your arm off now for third, which I doubt, but we’re going to win the cup I heard…..

Buckos already injured, I think it's his calf if i remember the match preview correctly. Hasn't played the last 2 games with Horton popping in right back. Squads got decent enough depth but I'd agree about Afolabi. He just seems to be a different level of strength to everyone he's played against this season. Williams looked good in his longest game v Pats but he plays so different you'd be worried about the change.

[Shinkicker]

Not even the first series of games gone and bohs think they are contenders. Love it. Would be gas and obviously infuriating if you were the ones to stop our 4 in a row attempt but I wouldn't have you anywhere near the top 2 come seasons end to be honest ger. You can bookmark this one and I'll send you the cost of a pint of I'm wrong.

I think we are in for a bit of a mad season which is great considering the crowds are up. They'll be entertained anyway.
I'll not say we are contenders or that we Will win the league, but we are top of the league and the longer we stay there and results go our way the harder it will be to fall out of the European places which was was on every Bohs fans wishlist. Remember most people on here had Bohs to finish 6th or 7th in their predictions. I do think you are correct it will be a mad season and a new name on the league trophy will be good for the game in Ireland.

[Kiki Balboa]

The talk is way to early. Bohs, along with nearly any team, can finish 9th to 1st. There is a huge amount of points to be dropped by all teams - anybody can go on a 5 or 6 winless streak. I wouldn't be making any predications about where anybody would be finishing until the Third Round of games (Although, I am getting more confident that Cork will be 9th).

////

Just looking at the starting 11s from last week, the Rovers teams have so much more proven quality than anybody by a country mile. Then they had Burke, Burt, Gannon, Grace and Kavanagh all on the bench. That is just a serious amount of talent and league experience there. If I was a betting man, I would still probably plump for Rovers, might get better odds now too. 10 points between them and top place isnt much with 30 or so games left.

[joey B]

Whatever about Bohs ,Derry haven’t taken full advantage of Rovers bad start to the season,7 points isn’t huge at this stage,they’re unbeaten but have failed to win half their games,could regret it at the end of the season…..

[Kiki Balboa]

Whatever about Bohs ,Derry haven’t taken full advantage of Rovers bad start to the season,7 points isn’t huge at this stage,they’re unbeaten but have failed to win half their games,could regret it at the end of the season…..

Would totally agree. Injuries seem to be killing them. If they dont win the league, it might really just be there own fault for having a bad pitch.

[yurt]

League is so well poised going into the international break. It's been a great start to the season with results being so unpredictable.

Shamrock Rovers are going to have to go about it the difficult way if they are going to do it again. Makes for a great storyline. It's been too straightforward in recent times.

In general I'm a massive LOI in Europe fan and Rovers form would usually have me worried they are going to bomb out of the champions path and hurt the co-efficient. Thinking for the longest time that success in Europe was the key to better attendances and the game growing here. I no longer really think that way. I'm not self-conscious about the quality of our teams anymore because it doesn't really feel like I need to be defensive about why I'm more interested in Irish football.

[ger121]

Ger, not a feckin hope we will be top 2, squads waaay too light. Flores Buckley, Afolabi, and either of the Polish Pillars get injured, well, we are well and truly light to put it mildly.
Take your arm off now for third, which I doubt, but we’re going to win the cup I heard…..

We are top now Dermo, let’s enjoy that for however long it lasts… Nobody has a crystal ball so we can only judge on where we are right now and right now if feels good.

[outspoken]

Exactly what happened. Okwute was smart about it, but O'Connor had no need to run into him like he did, and caused a needless penalty, because neither side really looked like scoring from open play otherwise. I've a camera angle behind the goal as well that shows much the same as Longford LOITV stream did. Excellent by Okwute, to be fair to him, but horrible defending. Either way, it was a penalty, and I'm not sure there can be many complaints about that decision from home supporters.

There were many other questionable calls from the referee throughout the game that can be looked at before the penalty decision.

Watched back our penalty appeal in second half just there, Byrne definitely gets the ball and is hauled down. Should have been a penalty but again, can't be relying on referees to get you out of jail, we got what our performance deserved

[dundalkfc10]

The talk is way to early. Bohs, along with nearly any team, can finish 9th to 1st. There is a huge amount of points to be dropped by all teams - anybody can go on a 5 or 6 winless streak. I wouldn't be making any predications about where anybody would be finishing until the Third Round of games (Although, I am getting more confident that Cork will be 9th).

////

Just looking at the starting 11s from last week, the Rovers teams have so much more proven quality than anybody by a country mile. Then they had Burke, Burt, Gannon, Grace and Kavanagh all on the bench. That is just a serious amount of talent and league experience there. If I was a betting man, I would still probably plump for Rovers, might get better odds now too. 10 points between them and top place isnt much with 30 or so games left.

On powers today
Derry 11/10
Rovers 23/10
Bohs 11/2
Dundalk 7/1
Pats next at 22/1

[sbgawa]

Derry look a great bet at those odds, particularly after we pick up one point away to Dundalk and then Derry

[dundalkfc10]

On powers today
Derry 11/10
Rovers 23/10
Bohs 11/2
Dundalk 7/1
Pats next at 22/1

I wouldn't back Derry or Rovers at them prices tbh

[sbgawa]

Bohs and Dundalks squads are to thin imo, unless Derry blow it big time they should be winning.
Finishing behind anyone but Rovers would have Higgins under pressure youd have to think

[brendy_éire]

Bohs and Dundalks squads are to thin imo, unless Derry blow it big time they should be winning.
Finishing behind anyone but Rovers would have Higgins under pressure youd have to think

Still think Rovers will come good and just go on a typical winning run of theirs. I've seen nothing to suggest that they're not still the best team in the league by a distance.
Our home form is worrying again, and neither injuries nor the pitch are an excuse.

I'd agree that Huggins would be under pressure if we aren't finishing second behind Rovers.

[sbgawa]

Still think Rovers will come good and just go on a typical winning run of theirs. I've seen nothing to suggest that they're not still the best team in the league by a distance.
Our home form is worrying again, and neither injuries nor the pitch are an excuse.

I'd agree that Huggins would be under pressure if we aren't finishing second behind Rovers.

5 points from 6 games would be fairly good evidence for me

[ontheotherhand]

No idea what to think at this stage to be honest. Maybe it has just clicked for Devine and Bohs will strengthen enough in the next window to keep going towards the title. Stranger things have happened. Would agree that Derry haven't properly taken advantage of us dropping points but a betting man would surely opt for them given they are already ahead and without Duffy.

We are playing well enough going forward but relying on Kenny's finishing which is woeful and making too many mistakes at the back. It feels like we've conceded from nearly half the attacks other teams have had. We also haven't ben scoring enough from corners of which I think we've had plenty every game.

Derry look about the same as last year to me?* A bit weak at home and prone to injuries that can derail them. On their day though, with their best 11 out, I think they are probably the better team now. Too many at Rovers in their last year of football and as it stands, we didn't sign well enough. IF we do get it over the line it will be the last one for this group I'd expect. Will need an overhaul for next year which will open the door to Derry or whoever wants it.

*Edit - Better actually. O'Reilly seems like a great signing

[oriel]

What will massively help Bohs maintain the push to stay in the top 3 is not involved in Europe.

It didn't work in our favour in 2021 when we had higher coefficient and drew Vitesse Arnhem (should have beaten them away mind 2-2 draw but we had Abibi and Sonni on the pitch at the same time), this season it might go against us for other reasons, as the coefficient of 8.5 could see us play every Thursday in July (will prob be enough to be seeded in 3 rounds, if we play in 3) but that will surely impact league games as squad is just ok to cope at the minute.

Bohs won't have that distraction, neither will Sligo for that matter.

[Another Bohemia]

5 points from 6 games would be fairly good evidence for me

Also the ill discipline and dropping points from winning positions. A trademark of Rovers the last few years has been winning points late in the game. Reversing that trend would be a big worry for me if I was a Rovers fan.

[DCWA]

Also the ill discipline and dropping points from winning positions. A trademark of Rovers the last few years has been winning points late in the game. Reversing that trend would be a big worry for me if I was a Rovers fan.

I’d agree with this. Rovers are showing enough previously unRovers like traits early on to suggest this might not be their best year. Considering Derry’s injuries I’m happy enough with our start.

Devines teams tend to peter out and can think of no reason Bohs won’t do the same (2nd season ****show incoming if pattern of his career continues).

Derry have to be favourites now and I think thebodds are about right. I now think we will win it . I haven’t thought that in a long, long time. It’s a bit of a scary thought.

[brendy_éire]

.... a betting man would surely opt for them given they are already ahead and without Duffy......*Edit - Better actually. O'Reilly seems like a great signing

I think we miss the likes of McJannet and Dummigan more. We don't have a settled defence, and Ben Doherty just isn't really a defender. Sligo's goal last week was very poor to concede, for example. Duffy feels like more of a bonus than anything else.

Rovers were the better team against us, and maybe I'm judging them too much by that match, but they're a more talented bunch of players than anyone else in the league, and they know how to grind out results and titles. Neither ourselves or Bohs do.

I think the odds are mad. As a general rule, I don't bet on/against Derry, but 23/10 for Rovers is seriously tempting for a good sized bet.

[Nesta99]

Reintroduction of the Dublin Derby hoodoo for Rovers would be unfortunate - that game could spark Rovers season in to life but also be a damaging loss which and on respective form is a decent possibility. Dundalk v Rovers we will see some more of trying to keep it tight, absorb the pressure and try to hit on the break. It just about worked in Derry but you cant invite on that much pressure regularly. We didnt play well at Drogheda so arguably a lucky 4 points so will need to show our on form and I dont think the St Pats game shwed that we have barnstorming performances in us when we click....didnt need to click.

[David BOHie]

Ger, not a feckin hope we will be top 2, squads waaay too light. Flores Buckley, Afolabi, and either of the Polish Pillars get injured, well, we are well and truly light to put it mildly.
Take your arm off now for third, which I doubt, but we’re going to win the cup I heard…..

Suppose all 5 get injured and you're still left with:

Talbot

Benn Horton Barker Kirk

Clarke McDonnell
Connolly Coote Akintinde

Williams

With McDaid, McManus, O'Sullivan and Twardek on the bench. Cian Byrne and Varion on loan whom I'm sure we could recall.

Not many teams can compete with the depth we have, I would argue. Take 5 players out of any team other than Rovers and you're not looking as strong as us.

I expect things to change over the season, ups, downs, upsets etc but we've a strong squad.

The only thing going against us is the fact it's the first year they've all played together. I know they've hit the ground running but ultimately when some of the more settled squads click they'll click to a higher level than us.

[Another Bohemia]

Reintroduction of the Dublin Derby hoodoo for Rovers would be unfortunate - that game could spark Rovers season in to life but also be a damaging loss which and on respective form is a decent possibility. Dundalk v Rovers we will see some more of trying to keep it tight, absorb the pressure and try to hit on the break. It just about worked in Derry but you cant invite on that much pressure regularly. We didnt play well at Drogheda so arguably a lucky 4 points so will need to show our on form and I dont think the St Pats game shwed that we have barnstorming performances in us when we click....didnt need to click.

As I'm sure fans of both teams will agree, form really goes out the window for the Dublin derby. When Bohs were at one of their lowest points in 2012 they won the derby 4-0 similarly when rovers were in the first division in 2006 they beat us 2-0 in the cup. Could it be a launching point for a Bohs title push or Rovers resurgence? Sure but I will always think of these games as individual events isolated from the rest of the league/cup games because anything can and has happened throughout the years.

[ontheotherhand]

What's the story with Liam Burt? Has he even started a league game yet?

Just hearing he's been managing a groin injury John. I'd been wondering the same thing you were to be honest.

[ontheotherhand]

As I'm sure fans of both teams will agree, form really goes out the window for the Dublin derby. When Bohs were at one of their lowest points in 2012 they won the derby 4-0 similarly when rovers were in the first division in 2006 they beat us 2-0 in the cup. Could it be a launching point for a Bohs title push or Rovers resurgence? Sure but I will always think of these games as individual events isolated from the rest of the league/cup games because anything can and has happened throughout the years.

Absolutely. And the refs usually have their part to play as well. Which is always frustrating as I don't think the derbies have been particularly aggressive for the past few years.