Relegation views.

[6yardpunisha]

dave warren badly wanted to sign with us this year but hendo didnt want him. FACT my man, FACT. We beat ye last year also. Alan Carey is better than your captain (Ramblers reject, the invisible man) Mr. Hayes, ye signed two rams rejects also last year bruton and brosie, so dont go thinking yere all high and mighty, down there like.

go on bella ya mad thing:cool:

[SligoBrewer]

Bray,
Galway/Harps,
Cobh.

[don ramo]

Pulling stuff out of your arse as usual. There are 7 full time clubs in the league. Getting sick of all the Cobh fans and there us against them mentality, going mad and taking insult when pundits tip them to be last- sure they being biased against "little Cobh", they don't actually believe that they will finish last.:rolleyes:

sorry of i dont take some peoples views onboard, im never going to say a team is guaranteed to be relegated unless i know there that bad, ive never seen these people at our games, who are they to say were that bad,
[ohh roddy said were going down,
well hes right dont ya know:rolleyes:]

plus i said im unsure whos full time, i asked for conformation,

[LeixlipRed]

i asked for conformation,

And the Bishop said, "Confirmation, my child, Confirmation!"

[cheifo]

Cobh are a handy side.They will need to get a couple of wins early doors but they will suprise a few teams.Conditions were awful last night so hard to judge but Cobhs back four are easily Premier players and Cummins is a krafty operator.Harps cant afford injuries particularly in midfield.Sheilds for example is vital to the side.Its going to be a real scrap between the bottom 6 or seven clubs IMO.

[Sam_Heggy]

Cobh are a handy side.They will need to get a couple of wins early doors but they will suprise a few teams.Conditions were awful last night so hard to judge but Cobhs back four are easily Premier players and Cummins is a krafty operator.Harps cant afford injuries particularly in midfield.Sheilds for example is vital to the side.Its going to be a real scrap between the bottom 6 or seven clubs IMO.

What do ya mean? sure we're joint top of the league, Champions league here we come :p

Sheildsy will be crucial for us, as will Conor Gethins.

[pineapple stu]

Alas, I think you'll find Derry are, as usual, ahead of you. ;)

More confident now that we'll stay up after last night's performance.

[Sam_Heggy]

Alas, I think you'll find Derry are, as usual, ahead of you. ;) .

Ah sure they were playing nobody :p

[pineapple stu]

Never seen a team celebrate a last minute goal against a bunch of nobodies so much then. They got out of jail, and thye knew it. :)

[Sam_Heggy]

They got out of jail, and thye knew it. :)

Most of them probably did alright, just in time for the game id say. :p

[Tis-smeee]

dave warren badly wanted to sign with us this year but hendo didnt want him. FACT my man, FACT. We beat ye last year also. Alan Carey is better than your captain (Ramblers reject, the invisible man) Mr. Hayes, ye signed two rams rejects also last year bruton and brosie, so dont go thinking yere all high and mighty, down there like.

there is actually nothing you can say to a cobh fan , i could say henderson approached waterford about a job FACT, it actually doesnt make it a fact but there you go, its sad actually

[bellavistaman]

there is actually nothing you can say to a cobh fan , i could say henderson approached waterford about a job FACT, it actually doesnt make it a fact but there you go, its sad actually

if you say fact, ill take your word ;), its a cobh thing

[DmanDmythDledge]

Anyone that says FACT is clearly talking ********.

[Rovers fan]

Anyone that says FACT is clearly talking ********.

then your talking ******** cos you said it too!

[Flexy]

Ah sure they were playing nobody :p

Are Finn Harps playing in the Setanta Cup tonight? Thats right you's never qualified for it!!!!! I can tell you now UCD will finish higher than Harps this season, and for this weekend coming you could say City are playing nobodies, and the usual 3 points in the bag

[cheifo]

Are Finn Harps playing in the Setanta Cup tonight? Thats right you's never qualified for it!!!!! I can tell you now UCD will finish higher than Harps this season, and for this weekend coming you could say City are playing nobodies, and the usual 3 points in the bag

I think it was obvious he was joking Flexy.Chill out ffs.

[Flexy]

I think it was obvious he was joking Flexy.Chill out ffs.
Dont be getting your knickers in a twist still got another 5 days to the game

[WoodquayBoy]

four of the relegation 'favourites' meet this weekend, and as they took just 1 point between them from week 1, can we call this a relegation six-pointer weekend!
Appraisals may be changed after Cobh play United and Bray host UCD.

[Sam_Heggy]

Are Finn Harps playing in the Setanta Cup tonight? Thats right you's never qualified for it!!!!! I can tell you now UCD will finish higher than Harps this season, and for this weekend coming you could say City are playing nobodies, and the usual 3 points in the bag

The setanta cup? FFS, playing in that would only get in the way of our bid for world domination.

As for the guaranteed 3 points, lets just see eh? ;)

God its great to be back. :D

[paulie_walnuts]

Cobh are certs and any two from Harps, UCD, Galway and Bray.

[Poor Student]

Well we're two games into the season and we're begining to get a clearer picture of side's capabilities rather than speculating. We'll have to ignore current league placings at this early stage and assume that struggling teams like Cork and Drogs will soon lift higher in the table. The relegation candidates look to be Bray, Cobh, Finn Harps, Galway United, UCD and possibly Sligo.

So far UCD and Harps have had the best start registering wins over fellow relegation rivals and feeling unlucky to have both lost to Derry. If either side take the three points in the game up in Ballybofey next week then they will have built a solid base for the season.

Bray had a decent result against Cork but looked very limited against UCD. They have talent in their squad but any team that starts registering home losses to the weaker teams this early will feel like they're standing in quick sand and heads could drop.

Cobh got an encouraging result against Galway but they've now played two relegation rivals and picked up only a solitary point. To survive a three team relegation season you'll need to take points off these fixtures.

Galway didn't do too badly against Bohs but they won't be pleased with the Cobh performance. A bit too early to judge for them yet.

Sligo have had a tough opening couple of fixtures to start the season and a point against Drogs is a decent result. I only include them as outsiders at the moment but as I already said in a three team relegation season teams will start to sweat if they don't start accumulating points.

As a UCD fan I have been encouraged by our two opening games and am probably more confident now of staying up than I was before the season. I'd still reserve real judgement until we play Harps next week. I think we'll still be sweating this season.

Has anyone re-evaluated teams chances at this point? How do fans of these clubs rate their survival hopes after the first two games?

[The Rebel Ram]

After watching Cobh last night I have got a lot more confident of survival. We played well and were unlucky yet again not to win. I would say the team will be confident going to Drogs and causing a bit of an upset on Friday. The defence are working well again and it took a wicked deflection to score. We had plenty of chances up front but couldn't put them away, Two penalty claims waved away too, can't wait for MNS to show the officials up!!!!
I was really disapointed that we didn't take the 3 points we deserved but happy with the performance. Drogs, still haven't scored and we have the Derby Saturday week against another dodgy start side. There could be a few suprises in store.
Ucd I thought would be one of the favorites to go down but seem to be playing the best of the 'relegation 6'. Bray and Galway look dodgiest at the moment.
And to think we had no points after 2 games last season, it looks like we'll win the league by 2 points this year!!!:p 250/1 Get your money on!!!:p
We haven't been beaten in the League at Colmans Park since September '06, Lets hope the record continues...................:)

[Poor Student]

A week later and the only team better off is Finn Harps. Been a very positive start for them points wise. It'll be interesting to see how they fare once they go on the road as all their games have been in the North West.

It was a disappointing result for UCD but at least our performance suggested we're good enough to still feel confident of battling the drop. UCD v Sligo is another big game next week. It's the first game Sligo will enter as favourites this season. If either side loses the pressure will mount.

Bray, Galway and Cobh all had tough fixtures this week that they wouldn't have been surprised to lose and yet they're all 3 games in without a win and that won't help confidence levels. It's hard to see where Galway's first win will come from with their tough sequence of opening fixtures.

[Sam_Heggy]

I must say im growing in confidence the more games we play. We have been unlucky with injuries and have been playing players that are no-where near fully fit, yet we have 6 points out of a possible 9.
I see where PoorStudent is coming from in that we haven't really been away as such, Friday against Bohs in Dayler should be a good test and hopefully we will have a few players back for that one.
Against UCD we were without:
Shaun Homes - suspension
Stuart Malcom- injured
Aaron Labonte - Injured
Stephen Parkhouse - Injured
Gary Beckett - Injured
Corny Gallagher - Injured

We also played with,
Boyle (hasn't trained much as he is working full time with the FAI, he is basically emergency cover this season),
Minnock (Was to be out for 3 months with an achillies injury but played through the pain barrier despite not training since last season),
Mukendi (not fully fit from injury, had to play as we had no=one else available),
Sheilds (injured his back against Cobh and still has yet to recover, really struggled on friday)
Ramsey (played his first competitive game in roughly 2 and a half years)

So overall im delighted at how the team is looking, no complaint about the injuries just pointing out how much the 6 points are a massive bonus in the circumstances.

[depor]

one things for sure, we have to win against city or at least a draw, if only for confidence. theres 3 series of games so you cant tell what way the table will look, the end of the 1st series will give us a clearer picture.

[ramsfan]

beat city and we can build from there, team is a little shell shocked at the mo with the premier pace, will be ok good players always shine through

[Paddyfield]

Galway United are making a special relegation DVD to tell the FAI what a great club this is. There is a proposal to have a special Lottery of the surviving clubs from which one will be relegated to make way for GUFC to stay up.

So, look out Bohs! Your time is up. :D

[thischarmingman]

UCD will be alright I think. They're written off every season but always manage to stay safe. They also get unfairly criticised given the standard of players that pass through their ranks and their style of football- at home they do usually try to play. I'd happily bet on them staying up.

Finn Harps look like they might have the wherewithal to stay up but with 25% of the league teams going down next year, I can see them being sucked into the relegation zone. Momentum is what they need, string a few results together and they might just do it.

Bray look weak. Delaney was a big loss in the defence and it's difficult to see where the goals will come from. Only team not to get off the mark so far. Home form vital as can't see them doing too much on the road.

Cobh I haven't personally seen in action yet beyond MNS but you'd have to fear for them. Again, could see them getting a few results but just can't see them finishing outside the bottom 3. Match against Cork may be big in terms of local pride but can't see them surviving the Cork backlash from last week.

To those four you can add a couple of 'surprise' candidates: Sligo's second season syndrome? Galway if heads drop after a tricky start? The fact that 3 go down means it's most likley going to go right to the wire. I reckon one team, Cobh (sorry!) for my money, will be all but dead and buried by July, leaving the battle for the remaining 2 places to go right to the end. Cobh and Bray are my 'sures,' and I expect UCD to pip Finn Harps to 9th.

[Poor Student]

To those four you can add a couple of 'surprise' candidates: Sligo's second season syndrome? Galway if heads drop after a tricky start? The fact that 3 go down means it's most likley going to go right to the wire. I reckon one team, Cobh (sorry!) for my money, will be all but dead and buried by July, leaving the battle for the remaining 2 places to go right to the end. Cobh and Bray are my 'sures,' and I expect UCD to pip Finn Harps to 9th.

I think one thing in Cobh's favour is the level of expectation will be a bit lower there. Sligo and Galway are full time and if they're not performing their crowds will drop. I think this may particularly hit Galway with their high ticket prices and I feel those clubs' managers will come under the most pressure.

[thischarmingman]

I think one thing in Cobh's favour is the level of expectation will be a bit lower there. Sligo and Galway are full time and if they're not performing their crowds will drop. I think this may particularly hit Galway with their high ticket prices and I feel those clubs' managers will come under the most pressure.
I'd agree. Galway under pressure as regards attendances, and Sligo fans will hardly be happy finishing 6th last year and dropping below 8th this season. It's effectively a mini-league between those clubs at the bottom and I can't see Cobh getting the results they need in Belfield or Ballybofey, which is why I think they'll be out of the running early on a la Derby County. That said, given a period of adjustment they might be able to start picking up a few points, but like I said in my previous post, you can't underestimate the effect the 3rd team going down this year will have. I just can't see them getting the points they need to be outside the bottom quarter of the league.

Even just looking at last seasons table, Sligo in 6th place were only 10 points off what would be this seasons relegation zone. I'm sure noone will agree with me but I wouldn't totally rule out a so-called 'big' club having a bit of a scare, especially with so much pressure for success on so many teams this year. Derry were only 6 points 'clear' based on last season. If this season is going to be a war of attrition for points who's to say there won't be maybe ourselves, Bohs, or Shams finding themselves getting themselves into a bit of a situation and (I hate to reference the Premiership twice in one post but) becoming our Newcastle?

[redtildead]

To those four you can add a couple of 'surprise' candidates: Sligo's second season syndrome?

Afraid you're wrong there.

Third term troubles maybe but definitely no second season syndrome.

[thischarmingman]

Afraid you're wrong there.

Third term troubles maybe but definitely no second season syndrome.
Apologies, my mistake!

[Black and White]

Cobh to finish bottom, den Bray and den either galway or UCD!!

[placid casual]

reckon finn harps ,cobh and sligo to go down.

having seen the first few games i wanted to change my prediction.
bray are absolute certs to go down,along with sligo & cobh in my opinion

[Sam_Heggy]

So far we are looking better than, Bray, Cobh, Sligo and Galway, UCD look a pretty decent side in fairness and look to have added another few gems.
Long way to go and each game is massive for all teams in the bottom half.

[Maroon 7]

So far we are looking better than, Bray, Cobh, Sligo and Galway, UCD look a pretty decent side in fairness and look to have added another few gems.


In fairness Harps have had Cobh and UCD at home (which to their credit they won). They've had the easiest start of all those teams so maybe not that surprising that they have collected the most points so far.

[dortie]

Id go for Bray, UCD and Harps.

Bray to finish bottom.

[superfrank]

In fairness Harps have had Cobh and UCD at home (which to their credit they won). They've had the easiest start of all the those teams so maybe not that surprising that they have collected the most points so far.
UCD had Derry at home, Bray away (which they won) and then Harps away. Not a million times harder.

[Maroon 7]

UCD had Derry at home, Bray away (which they won) and then Harps away. Not a million times harder.

None of those games you would look at and expect UCD to win though.

Harps would have fancied their chances of taking 3 points from home games against Cobh and UCD. Which in fairness to them they did.

[Sam_Heggy]

In fairness Harps have had Cobh and UCD at home (which to their credit they won). They've had the easiest start of all those teams so maybe not that surprising that they have collected the most points so far.

Of our next 9 games we have 6 of them away, I reckon we should have a better view of our chances by the time that sequence is over.
Bohs (A), Bray (A), Pats (H), Cork (A), Sligo (H), Drogs (A), Galway (A), Rovers (H), Cobh (A).

We were delighted with our first 3 games tbh as would UCD have been, Galway must have been pleased with Cobh early on, Cobh would have been pleased to get us in the first game (granted they would have prefered at home but if they had to pick a team) and then Galway at home, Bray would have pleased with getting UCD, and so on. Point is you take the points when available.

[Sam_Heggy]

None of those games you would look at and expect UCD to win though.

Harps would have fancied their chances of taking 3 points from home games against Cobh and UCD. Which in fairness to them they did.

Bray and Harps were both predicted to be in the relegation battle along with UCD so in those circumstance's they need to be taking points off both of us.

[sligoman]

They've had the easiest start of all those teams so maybe not that surprising that they have collected the most points so far.Shhhhhh, let them keep thinking they're great;).

[TheFingallian]

Is there still a trapdoor in the First Division this season? Bottom team has to play best team from the A Championship if they are good enough? Or was it cancelled?

Should make the bottom of the league towards the end more interesting if there is.

[finnpark]

10 Wins is our target to stay up = 30 points and say 4 draws = 34 points. I think that will do it this year with such a gap between the title chasing teams and the stay up chasing teams.

Harps have 2, not sure how many more we can get to be honest. We need to have 6 wins under by the time we get to half way which is optimistic. But Galway, Cobh, Bray and UCD are in the same boat.

[feo123]

I must say im growing in confidence the more games we play. We have been unlucky with injuries and have been playing players that are no-where near fully fit, yet we have 6 points out of a possible 9.
I see where PoorStudent is coming from in that we haven't really been away as such, Friday against Bohs in Dayler should be a good test and hopefully we will have a few players back for that one.
Against UCD we were without:
Shaun Homes - suspension
Stuart Malcom- injured
Aaron Labonte - Injured
Stephen Parkhouse - Injured
Gary Beckett - Injured
Corny Gallagher - Injured

We also played with,
Boyle (hasn't trained much as he is working full time with the FAI, he is basically emergency cover this season),
Minnock (Was to be out for 3 months with an achillies injury but played through the pain barrier despite not training since last season),
Mukendi (not fully fit from injury, had to play as we had no=one else available),
Sheilds (injured his back against Cobh and still has yet to recover, really struggled on friday)
Ramsey (played his first competitive game in roughly 2 and a half years)

So overall im delighted at how the team is looking, no complaint about the injuries just pointing out how much the 6 points are a massive bonus in the circumstances.

ye've beaten ucd and cobh at home. big deal

[Boo_Boy]

Lads how can ye put Sligo Rovers in your bottom 3 after 3 games?,we've played St.Pats,Drogs & Bohs,they are the 3 favourites for the title with the bookies ATM.

We've taken 1 point from the 3 games, that doesnt mean were relegation contenders!

Some people are looking at how many points we have and not who we have played:rolleyes:

[finnpark]

ye've beaten ucd and cobh at home. big deal

Sorry can you speak up. You are so far behind us its quite hard to hear you. :D

Whats it like being down there? You have Cobh, Bray and Galway to keep you company

[thischarmingman]

ye've beaten ucd and cobh at home. big deal
Yeah but given that it's effectively a mini-league at the bottom to avoid relegation, make no mistake, they're vital wins.

[Sam_Heggy]

ye've beaten ucd and cobh at home. big deal

And who exactly have ye beaten?

[Sam_Heggy]

Lads how can ye put Sligo Rovers in your bottom 3 after 3 games?,

Ye done that yerselves by only getting 1 point :rolleyes:


Some people are looking at how many points we have and not who we have played:rolleyes:

Thats usually the way a league works,
I can see it now:
Sligo Rovers finish 10th in the LOI prem division but lets be fair, they had to play the likes of St.Pats, Bohs, Drogs, Derry, Cork, Cobh, Harps, Rovers, Galway, Bray and UCD 3 times this season, so relegation was inevitable.