Friday 20th Fixtures

[2 Year Contract]

Some of my fellow Pats fans just won’t give Mark Doyle a break. A crucial first goal in each of the last three games, all well taken, has had a huge impact on how our season looks now.

That was a very enjoyable game in Dalymount despite horrendous conditions. I thought it was a very controlled performance by ourselves, happy to soak up Bohs pressure but much more clinical than them when we attacked. Pretty much a mirror image of the previous two games against Cork. Joe Redmond brilliant in defence, David Norman unrecognisable now he’s properly fit, Dean Lyness made the big saves when he had to, Sam Curtis played like the superstar he’s going to be…. I could go through the whole team, everyone delivered.

Good point on Harvey Norman, I worried when seeing him in the starting 11 the last few games but to his credit he’s been solid in them all. Redmond had Afolabi in his pocket all night again, same as the 0-0 in Richmond, helped that night by McGrath beside him and Norman last night

[Jack B]

I think Norman got a bit of a rough deal when he first signed. He's a left footed centre back that got thrown in at the deep-end mid-season, often playing on the right side and occasionally even at right back. He didn't play well but I think many would have struggled to, and now he's more up to speed, playing on his more comfortable side and possibly most importantly with Redmond next to him we're seeing more of what he can offer.

Doyle is a weird one, he's a pretty limited so just looks a but messy over the course of the game and doesn't give you the consistency to keep possession ticking over like most of the "top" wingers in the league, but he finds a way to be effective. Genuinely think his instincts, positioning etc are up there with the best in the league, so as much as he'll have people pulling their hair out for the majority of a game it feels like he's always liable to get a big chance.

Big win last night anyway, was worried about the run-in we had but kicking it off with those three points eases the nerves a lot. We don't always put the most convincing performances in under Daly but we do have a knack for managing games well and pulling results out of the bag. He deserves a lot of credit for the job he's done thus far.

[D24Saint]

I think Norman got a bit of a rough deal when he first signed. He's a left footed centre back that got thrown in at the deep-end mid-season, often playing on the right side and occasionally even at right back. He didn't play well but I think many would have struggled to, and now he's more up to speed, playing on his more comfortable side and possibly most importantly with Redmond next to him we're seeing more of what he can offer.

Doyle is a weird one, he's a pretty limited so just looks a but messy over the course of the game and doesn't give you the consistency to keep possession ticking over like most of the "top" wingers in the league, but he finds a way to be effective. Genuinely think his instincts, positioning etc are up there with the best in the league, so as much as he'll have people pulling their hair out for the majority of a game it feels like he's always liable to get a big chance.

Big win last night anyway, was worried about the run-in we had but kicking it off with those three points eases the nerves a lot. We don't always put the most convincing performances in under Daly but we do have a knack for managing games well and pulling results out of the bag. He deserves a lot of credit for the job he's done thus far.

He has done well. He has us well drilled and makes the right moves tactically. It’s not the prettiest football but the ends justify the means in such a competitive league.

[Dermobohs]

Keith Buckley another to miss the cup final, did a bit of damage in that big tackle with pats last night. Big big loss to us.

[legendz]

Kerry are delighted to finish on double digits and left it late to secure the point required. Humble beginnings.

[thebronze14]

Kerry are delighted to finish on double digits and left it late to secure the point required. Humble beginnings.
Lacked a bit of guile and experience but I thought they were definitely worth more than ten points. After the first round of fixtures they became much harder to beat but had a soft underbelly after conceding so many late goals. Was at 3 of our fixtures and there was very little between the two teams

[legendz]

Lacked a bit of guile and experience but I thought they were definitely worth more than ten points. After the first round of fixtures they became much harder to beat but had a soft underbelly after conceding so many late goals. Was at 3 of our fixtures and there was very little between the two teams
Kerry definitely left a lot of points behind them. Conceded a lot of soft equalisers and winners by their opponents. The beginning of August was Kerry's moment to build positive momentum but it slipped away. 2-0 up at home against Cobh and drew 2-2. Three days later 2-0 up away to Wexford and lost 3-2. Kerry should have picked up at least 20 points. At least they have a clear picture of what needs to be put right defensively.

[TonyD]

Keith Buckley another to miss the cup final, did a bit of damage in that big tackle with pats last night. Big big loss to us.

Saw on Facebook that he’s done his ACL ? Hopefully not for his sake.

[pineapple stu]

UCD v Cork feels like a First Division game in all but name

[oriel]

Actually an entertaining enough second half, all things considered, in the Brandywell.
Shels had the ball in the net at one stage, but Moylan did handle the ball before putting it in. One of those new rules, his hand was up against his body, nothing he could do about it, but can't be given. Don't really like that rule myself.

There were two instances in the second half of challenges worse than Diallo's. One got a yellow, one nothing. Just a bit of consistency would be nice.

What's the general feeling about Higgins on foyleside BE? Looking like a season without a trophy and I think its fair to say clubs / fans not getting a return from the massive weekly budget, has to be 40k+

I personally think he could be in trouble next season if a title challenge is not launched early days, granted only 3 points behind as things stand but 2 more games played and Rovers will prob add to that gap tonight. I'd put Higgins in the 'coach more a manager' category (fwiw i'd prob have Vinny Perth in same bracket).

Just wondering what the local thoughts are on this season, as one FAI Cup is just ok in my book for a return over 2 seasons given the resources.

[nigel-harps1954]

UCD v Cork feels like a First Division game in all but name

Cork are definitely staying up.

[pineapple stu]

On the basis of the First Division being worse than them?

Cos they're pretty bad.

It worked for us last season. But I think it helped we were on a run of form. Cork aren't.

[DCSIL]

Rovers 2 up, get the (Palestinian)Flags out

[nigel-harps1954]

On the basis of the First Division being worse than them?

Cos they're pretty bad.

It worked for us last season. But I think it helped we were on a run of form. Cork aren't.

I don't see any First Division side winning a playoff on current form. They've all outsh!t each other the last couple of months.

[DCWA]

What's the general feeling about Higgins on foyleside BE? Looking like a season without a trophy and I think its fair to say clubs / fans not getting a return from the massive weekly budget, has to be 40k+

I personally think he could be in trouble next season if a title challenge is not launched early days, granted only 3 points behind as things stand but 2 more games played and Rovers will prob add to that gap tonight. I'd put Higgins in the 'coach more a manager' category (fwiw i'd prob have Vinny Perth in same bracket).

Just wondering what the local thoughts are on this season, as one FAI Cup is just ok in my book for a return over 2 seasons given the resources.

Split I’d say, you are right about return it’s probably what you would expect, the European games have saved him from serious criticism over the domestic performances, we are often crap to watch for the level of ability we have in the squad and can’t score.

I don’t think he is compared just against budget because there is clear memory of the job he done taking over the sh!tshow Devine had established (with exact same players, we were going down under Devine, got Europe under a part season with Higgins).

He is certain to get next season and always was, he is very tight with the owner and board but he will be under pressure next year a lot quicker I feel if performances don’t improve. The expectation next year is to win the league, that hasn’t actually been
the expectaction yet, despite having every chance this year.

[pineapple stu]

I don't see any First Division side winning a playoff on current form. They've all outsh!t each other the last couple of months.

Yeah, probably fair alright

If Coughlan turns up I think Waterford have a chance though. A fella on a goal a game and more has to give you a chance.

But I suppose the Cup meeting was a bit of a damp squib so...

[sbgawa]

4 nil now to rovers. Farrugia and Clarke on the wings destroying drogs. If they are fit next season it's a he'll of a start

[legendz]

Cork are currently on 30 points from 33 games. Waterford finished on 69 points from 36 games. Both are respectable points totals for their respective league table positions. Galway's return of 94 points makes Waterford look bad, though Waterford are in line with the points per game ratio of most First Division runners-up.

[ger121]

4 nil now to rovers. Farrugia and Clarke on the wings destroying drogs. If they are fit next season it's a he'll of a start

That is the best starting XI for Rovers I can remember in a while. Knew Drogs were getting battered when I saw it.

[SeanDrog]

That is the best starting XI for Rovers I can remember in a while. Knew Drogs were getting battered when I saw it.

And Drogs weakest side all season (one with nothing to play for too).

[ontheotherhand]

That is the best starting XI for Rovers I can remember in a while. Knew Drogs were getting battered when I saw it.

Bar Byrne and Burke it's our strongest team in a long time. Shame Clarke got hurt.

[sbgawa]

Burke was suspended for tonight. Assume he will ome in for Towell with ronan finn playing instead of trevor Clarke if he is out injured.
A point Friday does it now. Glad I have my ticket

[Bunny Kelly]

Any concerns with the pitch tonight, Pats-Sligo?

[2 Year Contract]

Any concerns with the pitch tonight, Pats-Sligo?

Wouldn’t imagine so, it hasn’t really rained since Friday night in Dublin