Games weekend 2nd / 5th June

[Olander]

Finn Harps were truly dire tonight, we didn't have to get out of second gear. Their players looked like they hadn't a clue what they were at, they're a very poorly coached side. If we wanted to, we could've scored double figures tonight, but Caulfield rotated the starting eleven and cleared the bench.

We have a tough game on Friday now away to an improving Wexford team.

[2 Year Contract]

A real benchmark performance for Pats tonight. It’s a long time since I’ve seen a manager get that level of work rate out of a pats team. Brilliant to see, Daly is doing a lot so far to prove the doubters (myself included) totally wrong. Night and day from the 6 winless games against Derry under Clancy in which the game plan showed far too much respect to Derry and were all unbelievably defensive performances.

Forgot to mention also, Pats are absolutely flying on set pieces, that’s a 10th goal of the season from corners alone

[da bishop]

Finn Harps were truly dire tonight, we didn't have to get out of second gear. Their players looked like they hadn't a clue what they were at, they're a very poorly coached side. If we wanted to, we could've scored double figures tonight, but Caulfield rotated the starting eleven and cleared the bench.

We have a tough game on Friday now away to an improving Wexford team.
Not too sure on Wexford given their display this evening ,very lucky to get out of the Markets Field with a point...Treaty dominated second half and passed up numerous chances with Wexford looking no better than a local junior outfit so much so Treaty were allowed to look far better than they actually are.Fair play to the 30 or so fans who travelled ,crowd around 350.Q an interview with Tommy Barrett now given he went into hiding after the Waterford drubbing.

[cláirseach]

Enjoyed the game in Inchicore tonight. Thought Pats were the better team from start to finish and was overall quite disappointed with a fairly lifeless Derry team. It was odd to see Eoin Doyle shoot past the high line so often. Thought Lewis did very well for Pats at the back, which I know isn't always the view after he starts. The injury mini-crisis might have helped Daly pull a team together, in a way. Will be very interested to see where Derry go from here.

[Nesta99]

Finn Harps were truly dire tonight, we didn't have to get out of second gear. Their players looked like they hadn't a clue what they were at, they're a very poorly coached side. If we wanted to, we could've scored double figures tonight, but Caulfield rotated the starting eleven and cleared the bench.

We have a tough game on Friday now away to an improving Wexford team.

4 years??! It must have been some interview....

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Rovers were excelent up in Sligo and well worth the 3 nil.
Sligos keeper kept the score down.
If we can win our next 3 against UCD, Bohs and Derry we will be in pole position......big ask but a big oppurtunity

Yup very good performance. We’re missing too many players these days and some of Russell’s signings from outside the league have not worked. Hopefully we can have some centre backs available for Friday for a start.

[Olander]

4 years??! It must have been some interview....
He seems to be a bit of a bluffer to be honest... obviously Finn Harps have cut back significantly this year, but they're not exactly paying pennies either. They signed several players on two year deals that I wouldn't even have pegged as half decent First Division players. They looked really rudderless and disjointed tonight, they weren't able to do the basics and tactically they were all over the shop.

They were so easy to beat, if we really wanted to, we could easily have banged in a few more goals tonight. They have a few players that have played at a decent level, but for Harps to find themselves second last after being in the Premier Division last season, irrespective of the fact that they're only 3 points off Wexford in 6th, it has to be seen as disappointing.

Rogers talks a good game, but it seems confidence and patience are wearing thin with him now. That Harps team won't get into the play-offs unless they make significant signings in July.

[sbgawa]

Enjoyed the game in Inchicore tonight. Thought Pats were the better team from start to finish and was overall quite disappointed with a fairly lifeless Derry team. It was odd to see Eoin Doyle shoot past the high line so often. Thought Lewis did very well for Pats at the back, which I know isn't always the view after he starts. The injury mini-crisis might have helped Daly pull a team together, in a way. Will be very interested to see where Derry go from here.

Pats looked on a different level to Derry last night although losing mceleney, Duffy and dumingan would test any side. If Derry lose to Bohs on Friday Derry could be 4th at the break. Seeing how the managerial changes have worked at cork and pats you'd wonder is Higgins safe. Objectively losing 4 to 1 is very poor for a side with championship ambitions. Could be harsh though as Higgins has been persecuted with injuries since day 1.

[thebronze14]

He seems to be a bit of a bluffer to be honest... obviously Finn Harps have cut back significantly this year, but they're not exactly paying pennies either. They signed several players on two year deals that I wouldn't even have pegged as half decent First Division players. They looked really rudderless and disjointed tonight, they weren't able to do the basics and tactically they were all over the shop.

They were so easy to beat, if we really wanted to, we could easily have banged in a few more goals tonight. They have a few players that have played at a decent level, but for Harps to find themselves second last after being in the Premier Division last season, irrespective of the fact that they're only 3 points off Wexford in 6th, it has to be seen as disappointing.

Rogers talks a good game, but it seems confidence and patience are wearing thin with him now. That Harps team won't get into the play-offs unless they make significant signings in July.

We were getting worse and worse. We won't be anywhere near the playoffs.. Fighting with treaty for 8th I'd say. I thought this season would be a struggle but we'd at least attempt to play some football. Had a feeling we'd be naive but there would be some excitement along the way. We play worse football now than ollie's tenure. Injuries have played a part tbf.

I would say the two treaty games, parts of galway home and the first half at home to Cobh have we looked like we can compete. We're lucky we got fortunate wins in Longford and wexford as we'd be cut adrift with a Kerry side that we can't beat without them

[brendy_éire]

Could be harsh though as Higgins has been persecuted with injuries since day 1.

He has been really unlucky in that regard, but we don't seem to have a Plan B, other than a long ball over the top.
Maybe even more worrying is the fact we are often boring to watch. We're not playing an exciting brand of football, and it'll affect attendances. It was partially the reason for Decky Devine being sacked the first time round.

Higgins has spent a lot of money, and will need to have closed the gap by the end of the season, or he'll be in bother.

It's probably worth noting that the change in the assistant managers may have had an impact, and, on a personal level, the loss of his brother must be incredibly hard to deal with.

[Nesta99]

Hadnt heard about his brother! Not a nice time for Higgins at all. Cant really agree with Derry not being bothered by injuries - but they did sign a player with a long term injury in Duffy and McEleney hasnt had an injury free run in a long time, just as a couple of examples of losing key players though they have the finances to have a squad that to cover and topping the league so not a vaild argument imo. Rovers just know how to keep things ticking over even if ropey themselves with suspensions.

Dont know what to make of the Harps situation. Rogers was a real possiblity for the Dundalk job under the mad men, he must not have said 'analytics' enough at that interview!! I can see why Harps gave him a punt, its the 4 year contract that is a bit baffling. What they are spending is relative, as suggested by Olander, and if there isnt incremental improvements as the season progresses ye have to worry - even kids can be organised and doesnt take years to show if coached properly.

[outspoken]

Hadnt heard about his brother! Not a nice time for Higgins at all. Cant really agree with Derry not being bothered by injuries - but they did sign a player with a long term injury in Duffy and McEleney hasnt had an injury free run in a long time, just as a couple of examples of losing key players though they have the finances to have a squad that to cover and topping the league so not a vaild argument imo. Rovers just know how to keep things ticking over even if ropey themselves with suspensions.

Dont know what to make of the Harps situation. Rogers was a real possiblity for the Dundalk job under the mad men, he must not have said 'analytics' enough at that interview!! I can see why Harps gave him a punt, its the 4 year contract that is a bit baffling. What they are spending is relative, as suggested by Olander, and if there isnt incremental improvements as the season progresses ye have to worry - even kids can be organised and doesnt take years to show if coached properly.

Fair points on Harps, the table shows there's nothing between them and LTFC but Town haven't taken a pasting in any game, have been very hard to break down despite missing over 11 players through injury and having suspensions on top of that. Harps look all over the shop at times.

[TonyD]

A real benchmark performance for Pats tonight. It’s a long time since I’ve seen a manager get that level of work rate out of a pats team. Brilliant to see, Daly is doing a lot so far to prove the doubters (myself included) totally wrong. Night and day from the 6 winless games against Derry under Clancy in which the game plan showed far too much respect to Derry and were all unbelievably defensive performances.

Forgot to mention also, Pats are absolutely flying on set pieces, that’s a 10th goal of the season from corners alone

Agree. Thought we were excellent and really got after Derry from the start. Last season they came to Inchicore and gave us a real hiding. Nice to see the positions reversed last night. Was concerned going into the game without Redmond and Grivosti, and potentially McCarthy as well, though he played in the end. Easily the best we’ve played this season. Daly hasn’t really put a foot wrong so far. Long may it continue. Even starting to feel optimistic about Europe again, though I think we will need Joe Redmond back for that.

[ontheotherhand]

He has been really unlucky in that regard, but we don't seem to have a Plan B, other than a long ball over the top.
Maybe even more worrying is the fact we are often boring to watch. We're not playing an exciting brand of football, and it'll affect attendances. It was partially the reason for Decky Devine being sacked the first time round.

Higgins has spent a lot of money, and will need to have closed the gap by the end of the season, or he'll be in bother.

It's probably worth noting that the change in the assistant managers may have had an impact, and, on a personal level, the loss of his brother must be incredibly hard to deal with.

Just read the interview with Higgins in the independent. Really opens up about the brothers passing. Heart goes out to him. Must be incredibly hard to do a job like his when grieving a loss like that.