Premier Division- The Run In

Last night was a huge result for Pats, took a good bit of bottle to go up there and get the win. It probably is looking a little out of reach for Sligo, they are hoping on 3 outcomes, slip ups by Pats, DLK, and winning every game themselves. Probably all very unlikely to happen.

If we are still in with a shout going into the last weekend I`ll be very happy. The fixtures for October for Pats/DLK are interesting, and this will be after the showdown on 20/09 in Richmond.

DUNDALK………...................PATS………….…..…
07/09……….Drogheda (H)…..Limerick (A)……..
20/09……….St Pats (A)……….Dundalk (H)………
27/09……….Limerick (H)…….Bray (A)……………
04/10……….Derry (H)………...UCD (A)…………..
12/10……….Bohs (A)………….Sligo (H)…………..
18/10……….Cork (H)………….Derry (H)………….
25/10……….Bray (A)…………..Cork (A)………….

Our run in looks the 'easier' but I still recall Rovers losing 3-2 away to UCD in October 2010, so thats a definite reminder that there will be slip ups when least expected.

Thought this was worth a thread of its own rather than a match thread so split it out.

Looks like Pats to lose. Would say if they don't lose to Dundalk in Inchicore, they'll win it. Deserve it too as they were excellent last year, We've done our money after last night and we just don't have the imagination in midfield to create enough goal chances. Still get Europe and have a crack at the cup , so a reasonable season.

Dundalk have to lose eventually......right?

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Originally Posted by avvenalaf

Looks like Pats to lose. Would say if they don't lose to Dundalk in Inchicore, they'll win it. Deserve it too as they were excellent last year, We've done our money after last night and we just don't have the imagination in midfield to create enough goal chances. Still get Europe and have a crack at the cup , so a reasonable season.

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Dont know if you can say its anyones to lose at this stage, if Pats go 4 or 5 points ahead then it can only be thrown away, after the next 2 games all will be much clearer to state the obvious. Agree though that Pats not losing to Dundalk is important as it is then looking for favours time from others(if the Derby hurdle is navigated). As for who would deserve it most - well being biased, turning things around from bottom of the league to challangers in one season is more impressive/deserving than turning an already competative side to challangers imo. In a strange way i wish i was a neutral as then it would be a thoroughly enjoyable run in, as it is after over a decade of strife peaking last season - to be teased by the chance of a 10th title and to miss out would just be wrong .... evil Stephen Kenny:p

The best team always wins the league. Whoever that is, clearly deserves it.

I'd say the teams are pretty level going into last 7 games. Pats win 2 points and a good goal difference in advantage but I think Dundalk have 'easier' run of games.

Looks like we could have a fairly big say in who gets the trophy as we play both teams in the last two games of the season.

I want neither team to win it, how do we achieve that! But I don't want Sligo to win it either, or Derry, or Shamrock Rovers, or Drogs....

I think Dundalk could draw against Drogs. And then if they don't beat Pats gap could be 4 or 6 points with two easy games for Pats and a Derry surely improved playing Dundalk. If Pats starts the last three games with a gap of 4 points I reckon they will win the league.

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Originally Posted by avvenalaf

Deserve it too as they were excellent last year

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But they weren't good enough to win it last year. Whoever wins it deserves it; if they're not top at the end, they don't deserve it.

I'm up for pats as they're the most likely to progress in europe. Unless we are there they'll have the highest co efficient of the irish teams and the best chance of being seeded in that 2nd qualifying round

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Originally Posted by Briuk

I think Dundalk could draw against Drogs. And then if they don't beat Pats gap could be 4 or 6 points with two easy games for Pats and a Derry surely improved playing Dundalk. If Pats starts the last three games with a gap of 4 points I reckon they will win the league.

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Every game will be difficult at this stage. Drogheda have a good run going, but going to Dalymount won't be easy, Limerick have already beaten us this season, and Cork's season has started. There are lots of potential banana skins for Pats and Dundalk.

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Originally Posted by dejadem

But they weren't good enough to win it last year. Whoever wins it deserves it; if they're not top at the end, they don't deserve it.

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True. If we're good enough we'll win it. If we're not, then we won't. We're in a very good position now obviously, so it will be disappointing if we don't do it. Lack of goals is the only thing I fear could scupper us now (although our goal scoring record is good this season). We should have killed that game off last night, instead there was always the danger we'd get caught with a sucker punch.

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Originally Posted by El-Pietro

Looks like we could have a fairly big say in who gets the trophy as we play both teams in the last two games of the season.

I want neither team to win it, how do we achieve that! But I don't want Sligo to win it either, or Derry, or Shamrock Rovers, or Drogs....

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I forgot you have a hatred for Pats, would be great if we could win it in Turners Cross so :P

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Originally Posted by PartySaint

Dundalk have to lose eventually......right?

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We might go undefeated for the rest of the season and still not win it, who knows?

One thing for sure, if Pats win on 20/09, it would take a big turnaround for us to win it then, but no point looking beyond the next games for now, both have challenging enough matches this weekend. Limerick will want to put an end to their slump and Drogs are on very good form at the moment.

The table might take another turn come Sunday evening, we'll have to wait and see.

Looking at last years table, it is quite noticable that it will take a lot more points to win the league this year. This is after compensating for last year's table only reflecting 11 teams, rather than 12 this year.

Sligo won the league last year with 61 points, from 30 games. Drogheda managed to get second place with 57 points.

Pats already have 57 points from only 26 games, while Dundalk have 55 points from a similar number of games.

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Originally Posted by PartySaint

I forgot you have a hatred for Pats, would be great if we could win it in Turners Cross so :P

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I actually have a small friendly wager with a friend that ye will win the league this year - from back when ye battered us in Cork earlier this year. Hes paying for my drink for the night if ye do. Just don't do it in Cork!

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Originally Posted by PartySaint

I forgot you have a hatred for Pats, would be great if we could win it in Turners Cross so :P

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I'd prefer a guard of honour...

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Originally Posted by White Horse

Looking at last years table, it is quite noticable that it will take a lot more points to win the league this year. This is after compensating for last year's table only reflecting 11 teams, rather than 12 this year.

Sligo won the league last year with 61 points, from 30 games. Drogheda managed to get second place with 57 points.

Pats already have 57 points from only 26 games, while Dundalk have 55 points from a similar number of games.

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We had 57 points after 26 games last season.

Won the league after 28 games with 61 points.

Not saying we would have won the last 2 games if we hadn't had it wrapped up by then but the team would have been a much better condition to play the games that's for sure.

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Originally Posted by Nah Nah Nah Nah

We had 57 points after 26 games last season.

Won the league after 28 games with 61 points.

Not saying we would have won the last 2 games if we hadn't had it wrapped up by then but the team would have been a much better condition to play the games that's for sure.

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Fair point, I forgot that Drogheda's challenge fell away before the end of the season.

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Originally Posted by White Horse

Fair point, I forgot that Drogheda's challenge fell away before the end of the season.

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Pats challenge fell away. Drogheda were never really in the race IMO. Drogheda won their last 2, including a win over sligo (who were clearly celebrating)