Games weekend Friday 13th to Monday 16th

[sbgawa]

Premier Division (All 19:45)

Friday 13th

St Pats v Drogheda
Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers
Cork v Bohemians
Derry v Galway

Saturday 14th

Sligo v Waterford

Monday 16th

St Pats v Shelbourne
Drogheda v Shamrock Rovers

First Division

Friday 13th (All 19:45)

Athlone v Kerry
Finn Harps v Wexford
Treaty v Bray
Dundalk v UCD

Saturday 14th

Longford v Cobh (19:30)

[sbgawa]

With it being another two game weekend for the European qualified clubs there is a real chance to put 6 points on the board and shoot up the table or in Rovers case hopefully go 8 to 10 points clear with two wins depending on other results
Bohs on a mathematical basis are closest chalengers and will fancy getting 3 points in Cork although i feel Cork are due a result against someone.
Id be happy with 4 points for Rovers off two tough away games. Shels really cany afford to lose to us on Friday as they would be 12 points behind and i think that is an unrealistic gap for them to make up.
We could really put a marker down with 6 points.
Derry also in need of the 3 points against Galway.
Sligo need to be beating Waterford to keep them at least theoretically hoping to avoid a playoff and scramble up to 8th place. a win for Waterford puts them 14 points clear and out of reach, a win for Sligo and its 8 points.....not insurmountable if a bit unlikely

[Dalymountrower]

Bohs on a mathematical basis are closest chalengers ....
Is there another basis for league standings?

[sbgawa]

Is there another basis for league standings?

You got me there ;)
Maybe i should have elaborated further about my lack of conviction that all the late winners can go on forever, Dogs that chase cars etc etc.
But you are there and that is a fact

[Dalymountrower]

You got me there ;)
Maybe i should have elaborated further about my lack of conviction that all the late winners can go on forever, Dogs that chase cars etc etc.
But you are there and that is a fact
Ah, I knew what you meant!
I agree can`t really continue without a proven goalscorer. Mind you, other than Rovers, the other teams look pretty crap, to be honest.

[sbgawa]

First game in a while i have been nervous about, could be a season defiining weekend with 6 points or an indication of another slog of a year

[2 Year Contract]

Pats are now 20 competitive games and over a year unbeaten at Richmond Park since losing 3-2 to Dundalk on the 3rd of June last year, winning 15, drawing 5. A stat that should help with the confidence heading into a double weekend of home games, but it absolutely does not. The opposite in fact. Football eh? :)

[BonnieShels]

First game in a while i have been nervous about, could be a season defiining weekend with 6 points or an indication of another slog of a year

There's no danger of you lot out-slogging us tbf. That's said, it's nice to have a full complement to choose from for once.

[Bohtastic]

Half time at Turner's Cross. Bohs two up and culd have been more. Seems to be booing from the Cork faithful at half time. Seems very early for the Ger Nash honeymoon to be over?

[Nesta99]

Come on Treaty! Roll over UCD nows not the time to re-establish as Dundalk's bogey team!!!!!!!!

[Nesta99]

Big goal in Tolka, finishes Shels off. Only a formality in terms of the league though being Derry's to lose!

[Shinkicker]

Cork v Bohs, all Bohs in the first half. Deservedly 0-2 up at halftime. Cork never threatened the Bohs goal. Cork weren't bad Bohs were just too good. In the 72 minute the co com said

[Shinkicker]

That's our first attempt on target, a clumsy backward header from Maguire. Into second roll on europe next year

[ger121]

Ok, we’ll do our best to ensure there is somewhat of a title race this season.

[dundalkfc10]

LOI popularity had been flying this last few years and it's great to see

In my opinion a Bohs Rovers title race could take it to the next level.

Even as a kid, I got my Dad to take me to that game a few times because that's the big game

On the games tonight Dundalk were poor, UCD were as poor and the referee and his assistants were as bad as I've ever seen. Not saying they cost us at all but it's actually scary how bad they were

[2 Year Contract]

Frustrating night in Inchicore. Pats really should’ve won it, missing a peno, hitting the post and forcing some good saves by Dennison. Third 0-0 draw against Drogs this season! This game was similar to the season opener against Drogs, they sat back in a low block and tried to play on the counter but seemed happy with the point

[Another Bohemia]

Cork v Bohs, all Bohs in the first half. Deservedly 0-2 up at halftime. Cork never threatened the Bohs goal. Cork weren't bad Bohs were just too good. In the 72 minute the co com said

Bohs deserved the win for sure and it easily could have been more but for some excellent saves from their keeper.

I will say I thought Cork were bad. They had no urgency about their play. No real bite or fight that I always remember Cork teams having. I think Nash has a tough job ahead of him for the rest of the season.

[Jd2793]

city were an absolute disgrace tonight. bohs didnt have to go into 2nd gear for that win and in truth it could have been 4. we are beyond saving.

[desaintsno.12]

Frustrating night in Inchicore. Pats really should’ve won it, missing a peno, hitting the post and forcing some good saves by Dennison. Third 0-0 draw against Drogs this season! This game was similar to the season opener against Drogs, they sat back in a low block and tried to play on the counter but seemed happy with the point

Drogheda were the better side imo. Moved the ball better , held the ball better , defended better, everything better.
We haven't improved in anyway since week one and even getting Europe is gonna be tough imo. We are really crap.

[placid casual]

A controlled,strong performance from Rovers against inferior opposition.
McGinty had little to do apart from pick the call out of the net from Honohans bullet header.
A tough game on Monday expected against a team who look well managed so Rovers will need to be better.
I think cork look a cert to go down,they were the weakest team I've seen this season, which is a pain as I like the away trip to Turner's Cross.

[D24Saint]

Drogheda were the better side imo. Moved the ball better , held the ball better , defended better, everything better.
We haven't improved in anyway since week one and even getting Europe is gonna be tough imo. We are really crap.

We need a favourable draw on Tuesday. The first half decent side we meet in Europe and its curtains. This season is going to be a write off. We need to get into the European places to get anything out of the campaign. We are a dreadful watch compared to the end of last season.

[Jack B]

Thought if anyone deserved to win it was us on the balance of chances, but at the same time in general play Drogs looked the more drilled of the two. All still quite haphazard from Pats wbich is just odd at this point in the season. We look lost as to how to break a team down who sit deep but against other sides succumb too softly to being pressed - not a great combination.

On the plus side I thought despite the wayward end product at times Simon Power again looked out most in-form winger, so hopefully he can put a run of fitness together. Jay McClelland also played how I was led to believe Barry Baggley would but hasn't of yet.

[Nesta99]

I know its being discussed in bits but could St Pats fans consolidate what hasnt gone right this season? In the context of last seasons run in where another couple of games and it could have been a title win, a significant turn around when SK was appointed what 2/3 in to the season? A transfer window, keeping Melia for another season. That it takes SK some time to get is system to bed in and players playing his way - getting to believe they are good enough to play in possession patiently and go to the end with late goals. What hasnt worked compared to past teams he has built which was almost a banker that he would have sides in title races sooner than later, picking up wins when poor with resiliance, draws when losing etc. An efficiency that other teams slip up the advantage was taken but now its Pats that are dropping some silly points. Whats missing? Is SK methods getting dated and he isnt evolving or questionable recruitment. That its taking longer to build a squad regardless of the budget so player availability scant. Other sides just better all round. Players just lax, etc. Its a little Derry like from the outside and unexpected here where Higgins was arguably untested as a head coach/manager. Injuries are a bit of a red herring even if in the short term they do disrupt unless its a total injury crisis.