View Full Version : League within a League?
MyTown
15/05/2007, 1:33 PM
Last night's win for Derry means there are now 5 points separating 8th and 9th in the Table, with the last of the first series of games scheduled for this weekend.
Is there already, as many of you predicted at the start of the season, a League within a League with the top 8 considerably stronger than the bottom 4? Or do any of you hold out any hope for those of us still praying for a first home win?:(
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/soccer_tables_index.html
dcfcsteve
15/05/2007, 1:38 PM
Last night's win for Derry means there are now 5 points separating 8th and 9th in the Table, with the last of the first series of games scheduled for this weekend.
Is there already, as many of you predicted at the start of the season, a League within a League with the top 8 considerably stronger than the bottom 4? Or do any of you hold out any hope for those of us still praying for a first home win?:(
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/soccer_tables_index.html
It's been a funny start for the league this year, as a bigger than usual gap has appeared at the top quite early on (even though the games just gone have closed the gap in the top half).
Uusally there's one absolute stinker of a team at the bottom who get cut adrift early on, but Longford and Waterford seem determined not to fulfill that role this time.
I guess it makes it more exciting overall to have effectively 2 mini leagues there. The alternative is drama at the very top, drama at the very bottom, and a whole lot of going through the motions in the middle.
bigmac
15/05/2007, 2:28 PM
going through the motions in the middle.
:( mid-table mediocrity - if only
The gap is only 2 points if Bray were to win their game in hand
Ceirtlis
15/05/2007, 3:07 PM
Last night's win for Derry means there are now 5 points separating 8th and 9th in the Table, with the last of the first series of games scheduled for this weekend.
Is there already, as many of you predicted at the start of the season, a League within a League with the top 8 considerably stronger than the bottom 4? Or do any of you hold out any hope for those of us still praying for a first home win?:(
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/soccer_tables_index.html
Well the gap between the premier and the first is getting bigger every year so when you consider under normal circumstances(had Dublin City not defuncted and there was no league restucturing) 2 possibly 3 of the bottom 4 would be in the first added to Longford hitting severe financial difficulties it is not surprising at all. Dont worry though we should be able to finish 9th or 10th.
Lim till i die
15/05/2007, 3:23 PM
Well the gap between the premier and the first is getting bigger every year
Dundalk are no worse than Galway, Bray, Waterford or Longford
As for the league within a league the Premier Division is obviously divided into three different tiers standards wise
gustavo
15/05/2007, 3:25 PM
The gap is only 2 points if Bray were to win their game in hand
Also if Bray beat us Friday , which is definitely possible they would be 2 points behind still with a game in hand
Ceirtlis
15/05/2007, 3:34 PM
Dundalk are no worse than Galway, Bray, Waterford or Longford
As for the league within a league the Premier Division is obviously divided into three different tiers standards wise
Is this some sort of sly dig by any chance?
Lim till i die
15/05/2007, 3:40 PM
Is this some sort of sly dig by any chance?
Eh, No :rolleyes:
MyTown
15/05/2007, 3:58 PM
The gap is only 2 points if Bray were to win their game in hand
Also if Bray beat us Friday , which is definitely possible they would be 2 points behind still with a game in hand
I thought from the Table I attached that Brays game in hand is against Drogheda, and on current form, and with all respects to Bray, I didn't think the gap would close following that match.
Well the gap between the premier and the first is getting bigger every year so when you consider under normal circumstances(had Dublin City not defuncted and there was no league restucturing) 2 possibly 3 of the bottom 4 would be in the first added to Longford hitting severe financial difficulties it is not surprising at all. Dont worry though we should be able to finish 9th or 10th.
And I don't want this to turn into another Limerick-Galway thing, but facts are that Galway came third in the 1st Division last year, and have been able to hold their own on the pitch in the Premier this year (even if ye aren't getting the results) so I don't see how you can say the gap is getting bigger every year
Poor Student
15/05/2007, 4:19 PM
Funnily, 5th to 8th are playing 9th to 12th this weekend. Victories for the favourites would open a clear division alright.
Ceirtlis
15/05/2007, 4:26 PM
And I don't want this to turn into another Limerick-Galway thing, but facts are that Galway came third in the 1st Division last year, and have been able to hold their own on the pitch in the Premier this year (even if ye aren't getting the results) so I don't see how you can say the gap is getting bigger every year
We havent really held our own though, we only have 7 points from 10 games, thats a fairly pish record in any league.
Isn't there always 3 leagues though.
Those pushing for honours, those fighting for relegation and those in the middle.
Gaillimh Al
15/05/2007, 4:35 PM
And I don't want this to turn into another Limerick-Galway thing, but facts are that Galway came third in the 1st Division last year, and have been able to hold their own on the pitch in the Premier this year (even if ye aren't getting the results) so I don't see how you can say the gap is getting bigger every year
I think the gap at the end of last years First Division shows there is a gap. Rovers, Dundalk and Galway are all Premier divison standard but then there was an 11 point gap to fourth and another 11 points to fifth.
BohsPartisan
15/05/2007, 4:38 PM
After seeing Longford last Friday I'd have to agree with the tone of this post.
Da Real Rover
15/05/2007, 4:38 PM
Isn't there always 3 leagues though.
Those pushing for honours, those fighting for relegation and those in the middle.
Yes. pointless thread.
Bald Student
15/05/2007, 4:49 PM
Isn't there always 3 leagues though.
Those pushing for honours, those fighting for relegation and those in the middle.I don't agree. UCD were only safe from relegation a few weeks before the end of last season and ended up finishing above Pats, who were challenging for honours at the start of the league.
I think there's a definate gap between teams which are dross and not dross this season, Bray are the only team half bridging what is otherwise a fairly clear divide.
passerrby
15/05/2007, 4:59 PM
I think the gap at the end of last years First Division shows there is a gap. Rovers, Dundalk and Galway are all Premier divison standard but then there was an 11 point gap to fourth and another 11 points to fifth.
last season we beat dundalk and drew with galway and rovers twice and we finished bottom so dont see the gap been that massive
The Lilywhites
15/05/2007, 5:09 PM
last season we beat dundalk and drew with rovers twice and we finished bottom so dont see the gap been that massive
The small teams always raise their game for the big guns.
passerrby
15/05/2007, 6:42 PM
maybe so but my point is although there is a big gap between the top 4 clubs in the premiership and the bottom 4 in the first div the rest are all capable of beaten one another.
passerrby
15/05/2007, 6:43 PM
oh and i forgot what fcuking big guns
superfrank
15/05/2007, 7:05 PM
Just a look at the table shows the bottom four within two points of each other. Third to eighth the gap is four points. Then top two hace two points between them and are four points clear of Bohs. There is one game in hand but the likelihood is Drogs will add to their points toll (home against us, even the most optimistic Bray fan would find it hard to justify thinking we'd get anything).
The fat of the matter this year is Pats and Drogs are clearly better then everyone else and, imo, it's down to the results in their games that'll decide the league.
The middle table group are pretty interchangeable. Eighth (Sligo) beat fourth (Cork) 4-1 the other night whereas they lost 1-0 to fifth (Rovers) a few weeks ago. These teams do tend to pull off the odd upset against the top two but struggle occassionally against the bottom four, Bohs 1-1 Galway, Bray 1-1 Cork, Waterford 1-0 Cork and so on. The top teams would be able to beat these teams fairly consistently.
As for the bottom four it's down to how they get on against each other as to who'll stay up.
The small teams always raise their game for the big guns.
So that explains the screaming hordes that accompany the Dundalk team bus, why when last ye were down it was like Beatlemania all over again....only with 40 fans
DmanDmythDledge
15/05/2007, 7:30 PM
Just a look at the table shows the bottom four within two points of each other. Third to eighth the gap is four points. Then top two hace two points between them and are four points clear of Bohs. There is one game in hand but the likelihood is Drogs will add to their points toll (home against us, even the most optimistic Bray fan would find it hard to justify thinking we'd get anything).
The fat of the matter this year is Pats and Drogs are clearly better then everyone else and, imo, it's down to the results in their games that'll decide the league.
The middle table group are pretty interchangeable. Eighth (Sligo) beat fourth (Cork) 4-1 the other night whereas they lost 1-0 to fifth (Rovers) a few weeks ago. These teams do tend to pull off the odd upset against the top two but struggle occassionally against the bottom four, Bohs 1-1 Galway, Bray 1-1 Cork, Waterford 1-0 Cork and so on. The top teams would be able to beat these teams fairly consistently.
As for the bottom four it's down to how they get on against each other as to who'll stay up.
Spot on IMO.
last season we beat dundalk and drew with galway and rovers twice and we finished bottom so dont see the gap been that massive
And if you had put even half as much effort or energy into these games than the other 6 sides in the division, you would have finished a lot higher than.............bottom
John83
15/05/2007, 7:59 PM
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CharlesThompson
15/05/2007, 9:09 PM
Just a look at the table shows the bottom four within two points of each other. Third to eighth the gap is four points. Then top two hace two points between them and are four points clear of Bohs. There is one game in hand but the likelihood is Drogs will add to their points toll (home against us, even the most optimistic Bray fan would find it hard to justify thinking we'd get anything).
The fat of the matter this year is Pats and Drogs are clearly better then everyone else and, imo, it's down to the results in their games that'll decide the league.
The middle table group are pretty interchangeable. Eighth (Sligo) beat fourth (Cork) 4-1 the other night whereas they lost 1-0 to fifth (Rovers) a few weeks ago. These teams do tend to pull off the odd upset against the top two but struggle occassionally against the bottom four, Bohs 1-1 Galway, Bray 1-1 Cork, Waterford 1-0 Cork and so on. The top teams would be able to beat these teams fairly consistently.
As for the bottom four it's down to how they get on against each other as to who'll stay up.
I'd go along with this Frank. I would put in the distinction though that although things stand as they are (as above) that although I do not expect Drogheda to slip up to any great degree that I would not expect Pats to continue as they have started - and I'm not saying that as a consequence to any Pats supporters, in fact they'd be a club that I have a lot of respect and time for (urgh :spit:) but I think that a couple of injuries and they look pretty thin squad wise. Cork could possibly close the gap but with Gamble being called up to the international squad and the inevitable postponement of matches, Europe and rescheduled games could catch up with them.
I obviously hope that Bohs who are proving to be difficult to beat will start to score some goals and open up their attacking play and for once in the last three years actually beat teams that are above us in the table and I think that we can. Given we have drawn games with Galway and UCD at Dalymount Park already this season and lost a league game in Bray it is fair to say that we are in the second tier because we deserve to be. So the way it looks to me is as the table stands presently. However by the time the season reaches its climax, I hope and think (in no particular order necessarily) the three tiers will be as follows:
Drogheda
Cork
Pats
Bohs
Derry
---------
Rovers
UCD
Shams
---------
Galway
Longford
Bray
Waterford
Saint MacDara
16/05/2007, 4:55 PM
Pats have the best goal scoring and defensive record in the league,and Drogheda are in a similar situation.Pats and Drogheda are clearly in a 2 team tier.
Bohs are no better than Rovers.Bohs,Cork,Rovers and Derry in the second tier.
BohsFans
16/05/2007, 5:03 PM
Pats have the best goal scoring and defensive record in the league,and Drogheda are in a similar situation.Pats and Drogheda are clearly in a 2 team tier.
Who has the best defensive record?
http://www.eircomloi.ie/tables.htm
Saint MacDara
16/05/2007, 5:10 PM
Pity you didnt get 3 points for goalless draws:D
BohsFans
16/05/2007, 5:17 PM
Pity you didnt get 3 points for goalless draws:D
Pity the junkie can't stop letting them in :D
Saint MacDara
16/05/2007, 6:20 PM
Top of the League:D :D :D
BohsFans
16/05/2007, 6:28 PM
Top of the League:D :D :D
Only 10 games gone!
sligoman
16/05/2007, 10:07 PM
Top of the League:D :D :DDrogheda have a game in hand, against Bray.
Frankfurt Hoop
16/05/2007, 10:22 PM
Longford have been dropped out of the dog battle at the bottom. All it would take is for one of the other strugglers to have a bit of bad luck over the next few weeks and the bottom end would be sorted.
If Longford don't manage to struggle to the end of the season a redistribution of the points lost to them by a few teams could change things again. :(
Dr.Nightdub
16/05/2007, 11:01 PM
I would not expect Pats to continue as they have started - and I'm not saying that as a consequence to any Pats supporters, in fact they'd be a club that I have a lot of respect and time for (urgh :spit:) but I think that a couple of injuries and they look pretty thin squad wise.
All we've been aiming to do for the last few months is just to hang in there until the shops open. Bit weird though to be trying to hang on from out in front.
You're right about injuries, at the moment we're missing Kirby, Mulcahy, Ndo and Foley - in almost any other team in the league, that'd be a formidable midfield in its own right.
Having played everyone else at least once in one competition or other, the only ones I could see coming close to us and Drogheda would be Cork. Bohs with a different manager, maybe, but not with someone who dresses like Santa from the waist down.
BohsFans
17/05/2007, 1:04 AM
maybe, but not with someone who dresses like Santa from the waist down.
Makes him a bad manager does it?
I seem to recall the only game this season that he didn't wear his disco pants was against you lot!
Jerry The Saint
17/05/2007, 12:08 PM
Makes him a bad manager does it?
Of course it does! If he can't manage his own wardrobe how do you expect him to deal with the Boh's Golden Generation(tm).
BohsFans
17/05/2007, 1:20 PM
Of course it does! If he can't manage his own wardrobe how do you expect him to deal with the Boh's Golden Generation(tm).
the S'Pa'stick's must be going blind! :eek:
At least wer'e not blin'd to sarcas'm
BohsFans
17/05/2007, 2:15 PM
At least wer'e not blin'd to sarcas'm
back to school with you son!
kdjaC
17/05/2007, 10:43 PM
Drogheda
Cork
Pats
Bohs
Derry
---------
Rovers
UCD
Shams
---------
Galway
Longford
Bray
Waterford
The problem with this league is that we all expecting Cork to come good with the FIFA 2, Derry to somehow be decent Bohs to start scoring, pats to have more than 18 players.
So .... The mini leagues should be
Drogheda
---------
Pats
Bohs
-----
Cork
Derry
Rovers
UCD
Shams
---------
Galway
Longford
Bray
Waterford
Only really putting pats 2nd cos im a pats fan :p top 4 would be nice. But moneywise and playerwise the mini leagues are set for:
Fenlon to manage a team with a budget.
Cork to intregrate 2 decent players into a team with a good midfield but crap defence.
Pats to get more players, 3 more A RWB LWB and a CF who can win balls in the air.
Bohs to justify all those players and manager with goals.
Rovers badly badly need a decent striker, someone who goals go in off. hardworking side but noone to finish it.
Drogs have to walk the league they have better players and more of them, if they dont win the league this season Doolin will prove that good payers dont make a good manager.
kdjac
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