LoI in Europe 2024

[nigel-harps1954]

Nugent sent off for a second yellow.......for diving near the halfway line....very very very harsh

It was utter stupidity from Nugent and fully deserved his second yellow.

[joey B]

Just seen the Kenny chance on twitter,was a good chance but not a gimme either…

[Bunny Kelly]

If Rovers go through it will be tactically astute keeping it defensve away and go for it at home. If they go out it will be typical Rovers conservative away and not backing themselves. I happen to think they are better than they are showing tonight and are just about hanging on to a 0-0, certainly not backing themselves. The away goal encouraged teams to try and get one in cae they conceded one if home 2nd leg and I miss that aspect of the game.



Looking at the starting wing backs it was a very cautious selection where Bradley was hoping for a 0-0, such an underwhelming attitude. Not saying you have to leave yourself open & overextend yourself but they shouldn't really have an inferiority complex tonight

[Acornvilla]

Rovers badly need a keeper who could come out and claim a corner or three. Under so much pressure.

Edit: Burns and Farrugia are excellent options to have to come on and stretch things on the break for the final few mins it must be said
He came out and caught a ball at the end!!

A draw for the co efficient and they're still in the tie. Great to see them not implode this time around, but going to need to be so much better at home.

[ger121]

Think Rovers did a rope-a-dope there. They’ll be hoping they can get the KO in Tallaght. Well in it now. Think this lot are not as good as Breidablik.

[ger121]

Just seen the Kenny chance on twitter,was a good chance but not a gimme either…

Thought the same. The angle was too acute from that distance. If he was further out then it probably would have gone in.

[geysir]

Vikingur play what I'd call 'square ball', pass it across midfield a few times, then down the wing and a cross into the box.
I had said that Rovers would have a better chance against Vikingur rather than a technically proficient team like Breidablik, but it appears that Rovers have regressed a good deal since those games last year. This tie is very much in the balance.

[CSAD]

Vikingur play what I'd call 'square ball', pass it across midfield a few times, then down the wing and a cross into the box.
I had said that Rovers would have a better chance against Vikingur rather than a technically proficient team like Breidablik, but it appears that Rovers have regressed a good deal since those games last year. This tie is very much in the balance.

Wait, its possible that Rovers are even worse than the garbage we saw versus Breidablik last year...good god, heaven help them for next week :O

[Acornvilla]

Wait, its possible that Rovers are even worse than the garbage we saw versus Breidablik last year...good god, heaven help them for next week :O
That has been the general consensus all season, yes.

Can see them playing better and sneaking a win at home tbh. Vikingur need to do way more with that much control of a game.

[Nesta99]

Looking at the starting wing backs it was a very cautious selection where Bradley was hoping for a 0-0, such an underwhelming attitude. Not saying you have to leave yourself open & overextend yourself but they shouldn't really have an inferiority complex tonight

I think this is nail on the head. For whatever reason Bradley doesnt seem to think that his squad is capable of going out and beathing European opposition away. Its not as if they were playing in front of 80,000 feral Icelandic supporters in 30c. You can have a go without being gung ho. There have been cockier Rovers team and managers over the years that have done squat. Its not a new thing in that the manager is seeing his team in decline either so adapts accordingly. Someone commented that Bradley is not ready to make the next step up a level in management and I think that is fair comment. He has been able to go through the motions domestically, you cant really say that Rovers have evolved over the last 3 or 4 years, happy to be in a comfort zone and it has hurt them financially when exposed in the early rounds in Europe. At times SK was over optimistic with Dundalk but you could never say they were about damage limitation and year on year an effort was made to be better prepared for Europe and BATE 2 years in a row and the contrasting results is an example.

[EatYerGreens]

Kenny misses a one on one with the keeper. Bad miss

Terrible stuff really. He didn't even force a save out of the keeper.

[EatYerGreens]

It was utter stupidity from Nugent and fully deserved his second yellow.

It was definitely not a yellow.

[EatYerGreens]

Just seen the Kenny chance on twitter,was a good chance but not a gimme either…

One on one with the keeper and he skyed an attempt at a chip, when he should have just smashed it towards the target beyond the keeper's reach. It was a poor effort.

[EatYerGreens]

Think Rovers did a rope-a-dope there. They’ll be hoping they can get the KO in Tallaght. Well in it now. Think this lot are not as good as Breidablik.

Vikingur will probably struggle to acclimatise to the Dublin heat as well :D

[yurt]

I wouldn't criticise the approach from Bradley too much at all this evening. It was all about keeping it tight and give them a rattle in Dublin next week.

After Kenny burned them for pace the first time and shot narrowly enough wide with Farrugia and Burns introduced soon after I really fancied them to create another couple opportunities. Going down to 10 men obviously changed how the end of the game played out but I think Rovers do have some attributes which can cause them problems at home.

They rode their luck at times but have to fancy their chances after getting the away clean sheet.

[sbgawa]

Its hard to see how we go from pinned back and conceeding 17 corners (how they didnt score from one is a mystery) to being the better team and winning in Tallaght.
Obviously Bradser set up for a nil nil and try and get a late goal but can we stop them scoring ion Tallaght if we come out and play ???? dont know but a few Novena's cant hurt and maybe Kenny to not need his usual 3 chances to score one goal

[nigel-harps1954]

It was definitely not a yellow.

A dive should always result in a yellow. He threw himself to the ground at the slightest hint of contact and was rightly given a second yellow.

[sbgawa]

A dive should always result in a yellow. He threw himself to the ground at the slightest hint of contact and was rightly given a second yellow.

These days any contact is a free so i think a yellow was harsh....his first yellow was a complete joke as well, i thought the ref had blown for a free to him.
Pity he will miss the next match as Clarke looked injured going off so that is both WB gone

[Nesta99]

This pic being used by all the media outlets shows either a very relieved Bradley or an easily pleased one! Its a 0-0 against the unseeded club in the 1st CL round agaist Icelandic (part timers?) in which the seeded side were hanging on with a all hands to the pumps defensive effort. The bar is set very low. If Rovers beat HJK as per their result last night he'd be doing backflips and victory laps with a bus parade in Tallaght.........
https://focus.independent.ie/thumbor/wEcoqF56phDcVC53AT8KNoCzGNw=/0x8:3214x2150/960x640/prod-mh-ireland/b5728cab-ec41-4202-bfc1-d9af8f207c8d/4ed1d0aa-4484-49dd-ba79-813edb767b1e/b5728cab-ec41-4202-bfc1-d9af8f207c8d.jpg

[Acornvilla]

I think when things are going badly it's important to celebrate little wins to boost morale, of course he's happy, they're still in the tie.

[total hoofball]

It's a relieved and pleased face they have got out of there still alive with the tie open with the business end setup at home for the 2nd leg and I think it's understandable as he has the European progression monkey on his back

Of course I agree it's not a great sign on the current low bar of the LOI but I remember 20 years ago Shels getting out of Iceland with a 1st leg draw before our famous run that year so a draw over there is not to be sniffed at for Rovers

[ger121]

Its hard to see how we go from pinned back and conceeding 17 corners (how they didnt score from one is a mystery) to being the better team and winning in Tallaght.
Obviously Bradser set up for a nil nil and try and get a late goal but can we stop them scoring ion Tallaght if we come out and play ???? dont know but a few Novena's cant hurt and maybe Kenny to not need his usual 3 chances to score one goal

It changes by the team you select that won’t allow them have as much of the ball and therefore won’t be creating as many chances or getting corners. Kenny up top. Start Farrugia and Burke and it’s a different side. Maybe you are dampening down expectations but you should be quietly confident you can beat these in Tallaght.
Vikingur got to be thinking now how to break you down and knowing you will be better at home.

[sbgawa]

Burke didn't travel so in ant see him being back. He would make a difference as he can hold onto the ball. I'm not dampening down expectations at all I expected us to lose over there based on how we have been playing and it was bizarre that we didn't tbh. With minimal available changes I expect us to lose in tallaght...I just can't see us going from conceding 18 corners and having almost no ball to a complete turnaround. Obviously I'm praying we do but it's hard to see. That being said I remember one of the times dundalk played BATE away first and should have lost by 3 or 4 but then played them off the park in Talaght so there is hope I suppose

[Acornvilla]

Burke didn't travel so in ant see him being back. He would make a difference as he can hold onto the ball. I'm not dampening down expectations at all I expected us to lose over there based on how we have been playing and it was bizarre that we didn't tbh. With minimal available changes I expect us to lose in tallaght...I just can't see us going from conceding 18 corners and having almost no ball to a complete turnaround. Obviously I'm praying we do but it's hard to see. That being said I remember one of the times dundalk played BATE away first and should have lost by 3 or 4 but then played them off the park in Talaght so there is hope I suppose
I tend to allow myself to be hopeful before big matches, because if you lose you're going to be sad about it anyway, may as well be hopeful for a week before it all goes to hell :D

I think the Rovers we seen post subs and before the red card is a lot closer to the performance we'll see in Tallaght. Vikingur had a day extra rest and didn't have to travel for last night, they're little things as well as the home crowd on a bigger faster pitch that will suit some of your players that I think will push things more in Rovers favour.

[Nesta99]

It's a relieved and pleased face they have got out of there still alive with the tie open with the business end setup at home for the 2nd leg and I think it's understandable as he has the European progression monkey on his back

Of course I agree it's not a great sign on the current low bar of the LOI but I remember 20 years ago Shels getting out of Iceland with a 1st leg draw before our famous run that year so a draw over there is not to be sniffed at for Rovers

I'm not sniffing at the result, I have an issue with the celebratory or acceptance nature of the manager about the result. Shake hands, nod politely, accept that there is another 9omins to get through, but less of the fist air punching and ear to ear grin. It was a stalemate at best. It s not quite the same but I remember Chrish Shields celebrating a relegation playoff win (2012), standing on a chair dancng and chanting. He was told to cut it out as it was below the club to celebrate a relegation playoff. In gerneral the mood was muted relief not acting like we had just won the cup. Rovers fans should be questioning the ambition of Bradley esecially in the cotext of claims of not being backed with budget increases etc.

[sbgawa]

i Agree celebrateing a nil nil draw where we got pummeled is riddiculous and serves only to get the oposition backs up but to be fair considering the schooling we got from them and surviving 18 corners and a sending off there was probably a lot of relief at the end.
Anyone that watched it would agree we got away with murder.
They had over 70& possesion but it wasnt just tipping round t the back they were all over us pumping the ball into our box....Sean Hoare was super must be concussed he headed the ball so often

[seand]

Far be it from me to defend Rovers but the Nugent sending off was incredibly harsh. He was pushed, he probably didn't need to go down, but really think a booking for simulation needs to mean a dive rather than going to ground while pushed. Unlucky on that count, but they were blessed to get away with a draw.

Expect Derry and Shels to progress, but a draw in Gibraltar is a good result, I struggled to sit for 90 minutes in that heat, never mind play a match

[Knocklyonhoop]

Have to agree with sbgawa. They’ll be content I’d say to hit us on the break. I think that’s their preferred way to play so we’ll need to be very wary of that but actually take it at them.

a 0-1 there would have been huge

[pineapple stu]

Magpies 0-0 Derry at halftime

Derry hit the bar and had a shot off the line inside the opening 20. There's been a water break too, so tis quite warm.

Have to be reasonably happy with that so far I guess

[pineapple stu]

And Derry go behind ten minutes into the second half

That's not a good look

[BonnieShels]

We're on here officially:
https://solidsport.com/shelbourefc/games/g/5pbfepyx

[BonnieShels]

It's hard to believe it's been so long and this season feels like a fever dream, but boy is it good to be back in Europe.

UTR!

[BonnieShels]

We're playing at a similar time next week. Will be interesting to see how the weather affects us. Hopefully we can help ourselves tonight.

[pineapple stu]

Just shows you how much a nice win is needed tonight

Wouldn't want to be going out there with anything less than a two-goal cushion I'd say

[BonnieShels]

Absolutely. It's one of the reasons I never understand the "Away first" crowd.

[ger121]

Where would a loss tonight for Derry rank on the LOI Wall of Shame?

[joey B]

Not a great start for the Co-Efficent either,no easy games in Europe but you'd have hoped 2 ties against teams from Gibraltar would have been good chances for wins...

[ger121]

Oh dear

[joey B]

2 Nil to Magpies now,not a good look ...

[CorribsideSteve]

Derry currently 2 nil down against a low-level pub team from Gibraltar. Dundalk and Rovers easily and comprehensively tossed aside last year by Icelandic opponents. Rovers in danger of repeating that again this year against another Icelandic opponent. Pat's beaten by a Luxembourg outfit. We have some of the worst stadia in Europe, trace elements (<0.01%) full time academy coaching. Our best players generally tend to go to the English 3rd division, for peanuts, or usually, entirely free, and many struggle. Our national team even got beaten by Luxembourg. We are where we are.

While the increases in buzz and crowd sizes throughout the League at least point to steady progression, we're going in the entire opposite direction with our European results. Many of us are hoping this campaign that a LOI side progress through a round. We're in for a long, hard road of being in the lowest pot for qualifying for major tournaments regarding the National Team, and even more directly, for LOI clubs, in terms of the co-effecients.

Good luck to Shels tonight, but, if they do become that LOI club that progresses through a round this year, it'll likely be as far as they get.

[sbgawa]

On the wall of shame this would be at the top, no question.
Can Higgins survive this?
Hard to sack him i suppose with them still in the title hunt but if they go out here and dont win the league youd have to think he is toast.
A brave call might be to shaft him now, you couldnt say he has been doing well anyway

[ger121]

Welsh clubs certainly didn’t get the memo. Both sides winning tonight. One of them away in 33c Slovenia.

[pineapple stu]

Derry currently 2 nil down against a low-level pub team from Gibraltar.
They're not quite a low-level pub team - they have proper corporate backing plus Euro income and the pub team part of it was left behind a few years ago. They're unbeaten at home in Europe (albeit that amounts to 0-0 v Dundalk and 2-1 v Crues; they lost both away games but were level going into the last 10 minutes against Dundalk and into injury time against Crues)

That said, Derry have all that and a billionaire behind them. They're better than Dundalk and surely better than a pre-season Crues. This is dreadful stuff. Agree with sbgawa about it being there as one of the worst results in Europe - and about Higgins being really in danger of the sack now. Even if they are in the league title race.


While the increases in buzz and crowd sizes throughout the League at least point to steady progression, we're going in the entire opposite direction with our European results..
You're right to note facilities, transfer fees, etc - and you wonder if we're in danger of blowing the clear post-covid boom...

[CorribsideSteve]

They're not quite a low-level pub team - they have proper corporate backing plus Euro income and the pub team part of it was left behind a few years ago. They're unbeaten at home in Europe (albeit that amounts to 0-0 v Dundalk and 2-1 v Crues; they lost both away games)

That said, Derry have that and a billionaire behind them. This is dreadful stuff. Agree with sbgawa about it being there as one of the worst results in Europe - and about Higgins being really in danger of the sack now. Even if they are in the league title race.


You're right to note facilities, transfer fees, etc - and you wonder if we're in danger of blowing the clear post-covid boom...

Exactly

[pineapple stu]

Result now.

That's Magpies' first competitive game in two months btw. Remember how summer soccer was supposed to help us against the pre-season sides in Europe?

[ger121]

2021 & 2022 starting to look like a distant memory.

[placid casual]

A delusional attitude extends from supporter's of the Irish international team to LOI fans of clubs who haven't troubled the scorers in Europe since christ was a carpenter.

[ger121]

I don’t want to hear heat was a factor. An out of season Connah’s Quay just won away in Slovenia and it was 33c. Something very wrong with our clubs in Europe.

[Bunny Kelly]

Probably a tad too simplistic but I do question our managers, they are too overtly cautious & don’t set up to play on the front foot. Maybe a bit naive but Kenny’s Dundalk weren’t afraid of anyone & I expect the same from Duffer tbh but a lot of our other managers approach Europe with fear

[CSAD]

Result now.

That's Magpies' first competitive game in two months btw. Remember how summer soccer was supposed to help us against the pre-season sides in Europe?

To be fair the Magpies are a top quality side...


I'm doing the Shamrock Rovers thing of saying every side they lose to is top class as a means to minimise how terrible a job they've done.