Games weekend 23rd to 26th June

[Philosophizer]

He’s becoming an embarrassment to himself, Shels and the League - there’s plenty of clips on Twitter etc. that show him clearly making an obscene gesture towards the Pats fans… then afterwards he states he was punching the air and did nothing wrong ….. someone should tell him to grow up…. Behaving like that as some commentators seem to think isn’t a sign of him being passionate and emotionally invested… it’s the sign of an immature baby.
he has the emotional maturity of a toddler - it was obvious since he started his tv work with rte a few years back. But he certainly brings eyeballs to the league so the good outweigh the bad imho. Plus i find it humorous to see him repeatedly making a tit of himself.
I know Brian Kerr gave him a bit of a tongue lashing before about his conduct, but he’s unlikely to change.

[Nesta99]

There is no hype around Higgins. A lot of Derry fans fed up to the death with his turgid, negative football.

There certainly was - he was seen as a bg loss to Dundalk and the double whammy with losing SK. He is an exceptional opposition analyst, thorough and was able to call effective tactics to negate opposition threats. He was a key part of any progress in Europe when at Dundalk and when Derry approached the FAI he was not only seen as a big loss to the SK setup but a missed chance for other clubs that were in the hunt for stable management. There was no shortage of clubs in LoI, IL, and Scotland that had sounded him out. He was also seen as having strong man management ability. Obviously his strengths or maybe more his weaknesses were as part of a management team and are not transferring to being the head coach - possibly why McLoughlin was seen as a fix to compliment Higgins. He isnt the 1st that has been a highly rated coach that didnt kick on, in our own league Trevor Croly, an excellent coach and assistant, didnt cut it as a manager really. He seems to have accepted that and was happy to be assistant after leaving Rovers and was credited with a lot of Bohs progress with young players and high squad turnover. Vinny Perth was seen as a players coach, was populat as a go between with players and management and when appointed as a manager seemed to alienate those same players for whatever reason.

It is possible that the issues at Derry are expectation with the resources available, it still can take time to properly build a squad. He erred in signing top Derry natives that were crocked, imo too eavily relied upon or how much they could play. His is inexperienced as a manager so maybe all considered was too big a leap in one go. Derry are now caught in a similar situation to Rovers pre Bradley, how long to stick as happened with Croly, appoint an experienced person like a Fenlon, and then bck to a young coach with a long term plan. This might irk some Rovers fans but Bradleys breakthrough was partly due to the failings at dominant clubs like Dundalk and Cork and it wouldnt be a suprise if similar has to happen for Higgins if Derry stay the course - Bradley could move on (the best of succession plans dont always work), there will be turnover of the Rovers squad, thereare a number of quality players that provide the strength in depth that keep Rovers ahead of the pack that have to be minded more and more with the age profile and of course players like Byrne in league winning sides will always be on the radar as a bargain for foreign clubs. Considring the length of time that it took Bradley, as a young manager to build a squad that is capable of nack to back titles, well Higgins is currently in a similar situation. If Derry were working off the 4th highest budget in the league like every club, the turgid stuff would be accepted as a means to an end.

I dont think it is coincidence that Higgins and O'Donnell seem to have similar templates even given the different resources - they want things tight defensively, dont score heavily, and rely on key attacking players to carry that threat, lose one to injury and a slump follows buuttt the squads get added to with 2 or 3 quality players during transfer windows, with Dundalks limited resources supplemented with loan players. The principles of what they both are doing are the same but on different time scale.

Having said ALL of that, we've seen how quickly a change in a head coach can change fortunes at Cork and Waterford, even Devine at Bohs so maybe showing total loyalty to Higgins isnt the right direction for Derry. If McLoughlin is next on the list surely he would be adding to his credit rating already. Time will tell but I still think its too early to bin the current plan, a 50% win ratio for a 1st time manager bodes well, 2nd in the league, in touch with an established squad looking for a record equaling 4 in a row but not tearing things up as they could be, meanest defense, add some goals, string 3 or 4 wins together and the picture changes as we've seen with the seesaw nature of this season - St Pats now in the picture after a purple patch and Bohs falling back (incidently imo Devine's weakness has been an inability to maintain the early form his sides show after being appointed...and that Ive never really seen goalkeepers end up being top coaches much).

Been a while since being able to make any lengthy post so some catch-up musings...

[Nesta99]

He’s becoming an embarrassment to himself, Shels and the League - there’s plenty of clips on Twitter etc. that show him clearly making an obscene gesture towards the Pats fans… then afterwards he states he was punching the air and did nothing wrong ….. someone should tell him to grow up…. Behaving like that as some commentators seem to think isn’t a sign of him being passionate and emotionally invested… it’s the sign of an immature baby.

Duff is a classic quiet man that now feels he is in a position of superiority to shout at everything 'look at my medals and caps'. He showed an impetulant streak as a pundit albeit often not far off the mark. He is now doing the 'im now dragging in professionalism' to this league except he is often not doing it in a professional manner. Its certainly not setting a good example to younger players as a coach compared to the quiet way he got on with things as the consumate pro he was as a player. Again his arguments are not always wrong but getting sent to the stand, giving manic post match interviews and now riling fans and feigning innocence - I agree with CJ's commets above. If he is going to be passionate and emotionally invested he should just own it and not behave in conflicting ways to what he says he is trying to do. Its entertaining but not in they way he would like to come across!

[Nesta99]

That was brilliant, Duff completely threw the toys out of the pram tonight.

Any footage floating about?

[patsdad]

Any footage floating about?


"I was only punching the air" - celebrating my 1-0 defeat, like!

https://twitter.com/donalburke10/status/1672352711491170306?s=20

[Nesta99]

"I was only punching the air" - celebrating my 1-0 defeat, like!

https://twitter.com/donalburke10/status/1672352711491170306?s=20

Having not seen the post match comments live surely the punching the air comment was tongue in cheek....otherwise he does look like a complate ass!

[oriel]

Lost 2-1 to us against 10 also.

We weren't particularly good and nor was the match but still 3 points is 3 points. Mulraneys free kick is a cracker. Duff's petulance at the end was hilarious.

Missed that one, plus it was 1-1 at the time of Pats going down to 10, possibly 25-30 mins left and SOD changed to 3 at the back, madness, worse was Pats only shot in second half meant they won the game. We were brutal 10 v 11.

[oriel]

He’s becoming an embarrassment to himself, Shels and the League - there’s plenty of clips on Twitter etc. that show him clearly making an obscene gesture towards the Pats fans… then afterwards he states he was punching the air and did nothing wrong ….. someone should tell him to grow up…. Behaving like that as some commentators seem to think isn’t a sign of him being passionate and emotionally invested… it’s the sign of an immature baby.


Rarely smiles, always seems to be in 'cranky' form, that was really poor the footage last night - gesture to the Pats fans on camac side, like something you would expect to see in Eastern Europe, he's an odd ball.

[oriel]

There is no hype around Higgins. A lot of Derry fans fed up to the death with his turgid, negative football.

Good few of us on DFC weekend away were chatting about Higgins recently. He really should be doing a lot better, the budget he has is massive, Rovers losing two b/s games away to Cork and H to Drogs and they are still a good margin ahead.

I think Derry could do a lot better than Higgins, for me he is the classic very good coach, not quite the manager material. For the competitiveness of the league I have to say I`m disappointed with Derry's season to date, not exactly Cork City right up Dundalk tailcoats is it - 2014-2018.

[Jack B]

Weirdest thing about Duff's carry on was unless I missed something he wasn't really getting any mad abuse off the Camac - we were all laughing at him in reaponse but pretty baffled at the same time. Forrester was laughing his head off at him after.

Do think he has them coached quite well in fairness, but they just lack quality. Too reliant on Moylan to make anything happen in the final third but they do a good job of playing up til that point. You can see what he's learned off some of the managers he's played under as they're a very cynical side giving away cheap fouls to kill the play (ironically worked against them for the goal) and looking for them themselves.

[Nesta99]

He was always very effective at winning cheap frees with Ireland though we wouldnt have complained. Thought it was more his pace and trickery that had him fouled a lot back then but could well have been played for. I dont really recall it at Blackburn, Chelsea yes though he was played inside left with Robben, out and out winger with Ireland so got kicked about more. Still I dont get his current temperment if he is rattling on about professionalism and now must be on his 3rd touchline ban - no doubt he feels targeted for speaking out about refs. It was one of his backroom team that started the scuffle in the tunnel in Oriel that he got involved in and was sent off his messing rubs off!

[TonyD]

I’d give Duff a bit of leeway to be honest, Yes, he should know better to be making gestures to the crowd like that, but I like the way he has committed himself to the league and has shown respect for the local game. He could just be on the tv like every other ex international criticising the Irish manager and backing his mates for the job. Lot more difficult to have a go for yourself. He’s doing a decent, if not spectacular job too.

[sbgawa]

I like his passion to be honest (the football is awful though). He gets more abuse then any other manager In the league

[Jd2793]

i think most fans agree shels are well coached up until the final third. the quality of the players lets them down alright once they get it up there. i think hes an interesting manager + character. would like to see what he could do with a few top forward players.

[Shearer]

Watching the highlights of Galway and Longford, and while it's not always the most reliable way to look at a match I'm shocked that it took Galway as long as it did for them to take the lead.

Should have been a couple of goals to the good at half time only for Jack Brady who has been their best player all season.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Shouldn’t be surprised but thought the game in Tallaght would have been on TV

[brendy_éire]

The life has been absolutely sucked out of the Brandywell this season. As has the creativity been coached out of the players.

This is Higgins's biggest problem, IMO. We're boring, and the crowds will drop it. It's the reason Devine got sacked. Continue this for the rest of the season (barring winning the league) and I wouldn't expect him to be here next season.

Worried for tonight. If we play anything like we did on Friday, this will be a hiding.
Couple in a Pat's win, and we'll drop to third place.

[Dave77]

Derry start very well. The Derry players must dream of a grass pitch in the brandywell. Tallaght pitch suits them

[joey B]

Rovers 1 up,decent finish from Gaffney but Maher not great there it has to be said ….

[nigel-harps1954]

Maher very poor for the goal. Thought it was hilarious when Graydon got booked for diving despite it not being a dive at all. The refereeing in this league is abysmal.

[nigel-harps1954]

Madness from Tulloch for Dundalk. Two bookings in two minutes.

[kksaints]

Should have won that match but we stopped playing for the last 20 minutes and Dundalk had a chance to nick the win in injury time. Mistake from Lewis and Lyness for their goal, you can't mess around on that pitch as the ball doesn't bounce evenly and Dan Kelly can nip in with his pace and movement in between defender and goalie. Still we missed two one-on-ones so we should have done more to win.

[joey B]

Rovers did just about enough to merit a win,but that second half was a slog to watch,Derry looked toothless,need to get their better players back to challenge at home and in Europe....

[placid casual]

Dire quality from both derry and Rovers, if I'm honest-Both teams guilty of giving the ball away with alarming regularity.
If that standard of football is reproduced in Europe, it will be a short European season for both teams
Rovers did just about enough in the first half, but derry looked devoid of attacking threat and only Brandon kavanagh looked lively for them.
7 points clear, and taking into account Rovers start to the season, you'd have to deduce that the current quality of the league is quite low, probably as bad as the quality during the kenny dundalk era.

[D24Saint]

I like his passion to be honest (the football is awful though). He gets more abuse then any other manager In the league

I agree he is very passionate about the game. He style is to get under your skin and that comes with its own consequences as it will **** opposition fans off. It’s a better league for such personalities in it than not even if you don’t like them.

[oriel]

Should have won that match but we stopped playing for the last 20 minutes and Dundalk had a chance to nick the win in injury time. Mistake from Lewis and Lyness for their goal, you can't mess around on that pitch as the ball doesn't bounce evenly and Dan Kelly can nip in with his pace and movement in between defender and goalie. Still we missed two one-on-ones so we should have done more to win.

Pats def better team first half, stronger all over the park, HT mood wasn't good. Then Dundalk down to 10 (Tulloch should have been subbed at HT, and def after his first yellow) but we played better with 10 - yes Pats missed two good chances to make it 2-0, but credit to Dundalk for keep going and keeping it down and going wide, thought deserved point in the end, but only on second half display.

Would have taken a point before the game with the season we are having, thats 10 points from last 12, good return, but Rovers on Friday................yikes.

[sbgawa]

Pats def better team first half, stronger all over the park, HT mood wasn't good. Then Dundalk down to 10 (Tulloch should have been subbed at HT, and def after his first yellow) but we played better with 10 - yes Pats missed two good chances to make it 2-0, but credit to Dundalk for keep going and keeping it down and going wide, thought deserved point in the end, but only on second half display.

Would have taken a point before the game with the season we are having, thats 10 points from last 12, good return, but Rovers on Friday................yikes.

Wouldnt be to worried , we arent firing and Farrugia looked like he did his hamstring tonight.

Rovers looked content to keep Derry at aems length once we went a goal up, hard on the nerves but Derry created nothing, trying to remember one save in the match by Pohls.

Dont think Maher was at fault for the goal to be fair, Gaffney went back accross the goal and i think Maher knew he wasnt going to get there and threw a half crawl step in after he had started to dive and made himself look foolish.

[Knocklyonhoop]

Take the 3 points but that was poor fare from both sides in Tallaght. Particularly the 2nd half. Other result worked in our favour too

[sbgawa]

Rob Hennessy was beyond abysmal tonight, booked Greydon for diving when even as a blinkered Rovers supporter it was never a dive.
Consistantly wrong all night , just shocking, only reason id say it hasnt been commented on much is that its hennessy so people expect it.
Should be ****ed out of the league....worst idiot by a long way

[Jack B]

Dundalk started well, then from around the 15th minute up until 5 or so minutes after the sending off we were the better side before becoming a bit of a mess and allowing the game to become one that could've gone either way in the end.

Disappointing but still and all, 22 points from 30 under Daly so far I think it is with UCD and Cork at home back to back coming up. Really need to take 6 from 6 there and things are looking strangely healthy given the season we've had.

[2 Year Contract]

Frustrating night coming home with only a point from Oriel. Should’ve killed the game off early in the second half with the chances created but they were squandered and you felt the longer the game went on that Dundalk would nick a goal which they managed to do with their only shot on target of the half through poor communication/decision making between Lyness and Lewis. I thought Mulraney in particular was excellent tonight and once he came off the quality and frequency of deliveries into the box dropped off. Anyways, a marked improvement to the previous visit to Oriel so onwards and upwards

[ToberonaTornado]

Punt you RH and i.m all in and i'll say Damien McGraith AND his officials were worse in OP last night.(for both sides). Just fuqing awful. Apart from the Tulloch s.o they missed SO much and couldn,t keep up. in all my life never seen a more incompetent ref display since Buttimer v Drogs '07 season.

[Kiki Balboa]

?Just thought the referee last night in Oriel was ... just out of his depth. I hate giving out about refs in general, and is often too easy of an excuse and often comes in swings-and-roundabouts, but this ref would just drive you a bit mental. It was like watching a Gaa match with its unbelievable inconsistencies. No one could tell me that Tulloch would have been sent off if the same incident happened anywhere else on the field other than in front of the Pat's bench - which for me is the ultimate sign of a bad ref. It wasn't that he missed a call or didn't have a good view or something, just plain influenced. Luckily, I didn't affect the game because Tulloch was buck-useless.

On the game, Dundalk should have won it with Kellys great chance at the end. Pats have two outstanding players in Mulerney and Forrester. Dundalk is a lot weaker at the back this year than last, but they still have a lot about them. Great game to watch, massive game on Friday.


P.S. very frustrating that Derry just never seem to get going and actually challenge for the league.

[Nesta99]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0627/1391295-higgins-clubs-in-europe-punished-by-current-schedule/

Not sure it makes much of a difference to Derry's form. They have a few brittile players so maybe the schedule affects them but other clubs have to mind key players too - its a different Dundalk side when Hoban is rotated and often has to be brought on to chase a game anyway. Excuses from a manager under presure or par for the course if you want to challange for titles? Didnt sound like Derry were in control for the 'majority of the game'?

[JC_GUFC]

?Just thought the referee last night in Oriel was ... just out of his depth. I hate giving out about refs in general, and is often too easy of an excuse and often comes in swings-and-roundabouts, but this ref would just drive you a bit mental. It was like watching a Gaa match with its unbelievable inconsistencies. No one could tell me that Tulloch would have been sent off if the same incident happened anywhere else on the field other than in front of the Pat's bench - which for me is the ultimate sign of a bad ref. It wasn't that he missed a call or didn't have a good view or something, just plain influenced. Luckily, I didn't affect the game because Tulloch was buck-useless.


Interesting where it occurred - there have been quite a few sendings-off in Oriel this season and most of them seem to have been in front of the dugouts... Off the top of my head Benson v Rovers, Williams v Derry, Cork lad, Tulloch last night - I think there may have been another one too...

I was at Rovers v Derry - Derry started really well but I don't know has McGonigle lost confidence or was he just not particularly good but it looked like he was on a totally different wavelength to the rest of the team. He wasn't in position to receive through balls or ran to the wrong position for crosses etc.

Once they got the lead Rovers were happy to let Derry keep possession - they didn't really create anything of note for all the ball they had. I thought Rovers might have hit them on the break bringing on Simon Power with his pace.

I'm still not sure what to make of Rovers - they seem to play a lot of games at just 70 or 75% but often at the back they look quite suspect to me. Pico made a couple of mistakes last night but got away with them. In Europe I just think they'll get punished by a team like FCK but hopefully will be good enough to win their first round.

[brendy_éire]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0627/1391295-higgins-clubs-in-europe-punished-by-current-schedule/Excuses from a manager under presure or par for the course if you want to challange for titles? Didnt sound like Derry were in control for the 'majority of the game'?

I think it's just Higgins joining some of the others who've been giving off about the scheduling of midweek games.
The break gets some people talking, but it's one week off, and it now is scheduled with the international games. If we didn't have it, we'd have half the games called off anyway.
I do take his point on the extension to the season, though I understand why some clubs would be against it.

On the game, a typical performance from us. Creating lots, finishing nothing. I counted two shots on target, neither of which were good.

I don't blame McGonigle at all for his lack of goals this season. We don't use him correctly. He needs to have someone else up top with him, Cian Kavanagh for example. We actually did try it for the last 15 odd minutes of the match, shockingly. More time at it, and it may have worked?

I suppose to take a positive from last night, we were ok at the back. Granted, Rovers were content to let us have possession, but neither team were going to concede many.
I think Hennessy is usually ok as a ref, but that yellow he gave to Graydon was ridiculous. I'm not sure how he pieced together what happened. Did he think Lopes didn't get the ball, and also didn't make contact with Graydon, but that would involve missing two points of action? Baffling.

So we're now joint second with Pat's. I don't think we're getting value for money for what we're spending on wages.

[pineapple stu]

The irony though is that Derry have those midweek games to help them in Europe.

It seems what he's suggesting is to extend the season instead, and still have the Euro weekends off? That doesn't stack up.

I think it's just under pressure manager looking to deflect from performances tbh

[nigel-harps1954]

?Just thought the referee last night in Oriel was ... just out of his depth. I hate giving out about refs in general, and is often too easy of an excuse and often comes in swings-and-roundabouts, but this ref would just drive you a bit mental. It was like watching a Gaa match with its unbelievable inconsistencies. No one could tell me that Tulloch would have been sent off if the same incident happened anywhere else on the field other than in front of the Pat's bench - which for me is the ultimate sign of a bad ref. It wasn't that he missed a call or didn't have a good view or something, just plain influenced. Luckily, I didn't affect the game because Tulloch was buck-useless.

On the game, Dundalk should have won it with Kellys great chance at the end. Pats have two outstanding players in Mulerney and Forrester. Dundalk is a lot weaker at the back this year than last, but they still have a lot about them. Great game to watch, massive game on Friday.


P.S. very frustrating that Derry just never seem to get going and actually challenge for the league.

There were plenty poor decisions in both games, from what I saw, but the ref got the Tulloch red absolutely spot on. It was pointless stuff from Tulloch straight after getting booked.

[DCWA]

The irony though is that Derry have those midweek games to help them in Europe.

It seems what he's suggesting is to extend the season instead, and still have the Euro weekends off? That doesn't stack up.

I think it's just under pressure manager looking to deflect from performances tbh

It is a deflection no doubt.

I do have an issue with the teams competing in Europe playing each other on Monday’s though (especially after playing the Friday) you are taking away from the leagues best and biggest games. Atmosphere and game flat as hell last night.

Big games should be for Friday nights unless completely impossible.

[Kiki Balboa]

There were plenty poor decisions in both games, from what I saw, but the ref got the Tulloch red absolutely spot on. It was pointless stuff from Tulloch straight after getting booked.

I just cannot see how it was a yellow when the Pats player is also dragging him down. If that is a yellow, then nearly every foul in a game is a yellow. No doubt in my mind that the same type of free is given ten times a game without a card or even anyone calling for a yellow.

[pineapple stu]

It is a deflection no doubt.

I do have an issue with the teams competing in Europe playing each other on Monday’s though (especially after playing the Friday) you are taking away from the leagues best and biggest games. Atmosphere and game flat as hell last night.

Big games should be for Friday nights unless completely impossible.
But it was getting ridiculous before when all the Euro teams would have their games postponed, and then you had 3 or maybe 4 league matches postponed each week, so there were more Monday games impacting more clubs.

We were even saying on here for years that the Euro clubs should have their games set for the Euro weeks to minimise the impact, which is effectively what's happened.

The only alternative I can see is to suck it up and play the weekend after Euro games like most other leagues around.

[sbgawa]

i agree with extending the season by a couple of weeks (to eliminate the normal Monday matches) but id still play a couple of matches between the euro clubs on a monday anyway.
Higgins is 100% living in cloud cuckoo land if he thinks extending the season by 2 or 3 weeks solves the problem as if you go deep in Europe you end up like Rovers last year playing 14 midweek matches. unless you are planning on failure in which a few extra weeks solves everything.
Clubs in other leagues just get on with playing Thursday / Sunday and thats what we need to do without whinging.
The only reason for any leeway would be the squad depth issue for most clubs due to the lack of moneyin our league.
Either way if Derry had won last night he wouldnt be talking about this today.

Id be critical of Higgins and how Derry are playhing but he has been horribly unlucky with injuries

[JC_GUFC]

But it was getting ridiculous before when all the Euro teams would have their games postponed, and then you had 3 or maybe 4 league matches postponed each week, so there were more Monday games impacting more clubs.

We were even saying on here for years that the Euro clubs should have their games set for the Euro weeks to minimise the impact, which is effectively what's happened.

The only alternative I can see is to suck it up and play the weekend after Euro games like most other leagues around.

Yeah spot on - I think maybe this is just getting more attention is because these games have happened before Europe has started - so it just seems strange the these teams have now played 2 games more than over half the league but when Europe rolls around hopefully they'll appreciate it.

I guarantee that clubs who make it to the 2nd or 3rd rounds will be complaining of having to play on the Sunday between European games! Maybe Higgins is planning on exiting in the first round!

[Johnnie C]

Vlogs on the Louth derby:
Football Weekender
https://youtu.be/UVKbvHOr42E
Peakys
https://youtu.be/Ztqd67H90EM

[Philosophizer]

Vlogs on the Louth derby:
Football Weekender
https://youtu.be/UVKbvHOr42E
Peakys
https://youtu.be/Ztqd67H90EM
I’ve said it before but I think these YouTubers covering the LOI have had a massive impact on the upsurge of youth attending LOI games.
Kids are glued to their phones these days and when a match day experience is covered this well, and they see guys coming over from England, Germany etc, it really makes the kids aware of the product on their doorstep.

[Kiki Balboa]

The media landscape has totally changed for the better. The vlogs might not be for me, but I very much appreciate goals and other highlights being uploaded quickly onto twitter from other games. I know in my group chats these are shared pretty quickly.


That and the prevelence of some very good podcasts helps me stay engaged during the week.

[D24Saint]

The media landscape has totally changed for the better. The vlogs might not be for me, but I very much appreciate goals and other highlights being uploaded quickly onto twitter from other games. I know in my group chats these are shared pretty quickly.


That and the prevelence of some very good podcasts helps me stay engaged during the week.

We have to give credit where its due to our clubs and fans. The LOI really has embraced social media mostly for the betterment of the league apart from trash talk between fans at times. Across all platforms there is lots of content and engagement. I have been digging into our European opponents Dudelange. Their website was basic and hadn't updated their twitter in months. Apparently all they have is a Facebook page with is their main platform for club news and discussion.

[dahamsta]

Thank you all for your reasoned responses to that nasty little diatribe. While it did serve as a great example of how to deal with idiots and trolls, it was very off topic so I've moved the posts to the tip.

For the record I don't think anyone has a problem with politics and social stuff being discussed in a football thread as long as it stays related to the game and the business of football.

You know, as long as it doesn't expose you as a fundamentalist nutter...

[Jamesie]

Thank you all for your reasoned responses to that nasty little diatribe. While it did serve as a great example of how to deal with idiots and trolls, it was very off topic so I've moved the posts to the tip.

For the record I don't think anyone has a problem with politics and social stuff being discussed in a football thread as long as it stays related to the game and the business of football.

You know, as long as it doesn't expose you as a fundamentalist nutter...

Good work my man

[Eminence Grise]

Thank you, Adam, and apologies for being intemperate in wondering why it wasn't dealt with immediately - fair process takes time and it allowed many reasoned and thoughtful responses in contrast to my own.

On with the football!