CL: Linfield v Gorica

Linfield missing key players

Linfield will be without several key players for the Champions League first qualifying round game against Gorica at Windsor Park on Tuesday (1800 BST).

Midfielder Michael Gault is suspended for both ties, Oran Kearney has a groin injury and Andrew Hunter misses out because of an injured ankle.

New signing Timmy Adamson is also ruled out through injury while striker Glenn Ferguson is on a family holiday.

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What a joke having Ferguson on a family holiday. He can hardly say he didn't know when the game was on. Amateur stuff & was even worse with Glentoran last year who missed several players due to holidays. Say what you like about the eL but that would never happen down here.

is this game on TV (stop sniggering in the back) or radio?

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Originally Posted by LeixlipRed

is this game on TV (stop sniggering in the back) or radio?

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Probably on BBC Ulster on some wavelength but not sure if it is available on the web.

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Originally Posted by pete

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What a joke having Ferguson on a family holiday. He can hardly say he didn't know when the game was on. Amateur stuff & was even worse with Glentoran last year who missed several players due to holidays. Say what you like about the eL but that would never happen down here.

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Linfield in fairness are moving towards more full time players. Ferguson is not full time and may not have been playing anyway.

I think Glentoran are missing a good few players again because of holidays for their UEFA Cup game on Thursday.

Everyone knows what week the games will be on - its the same every year.

Easy solution - take your holidays a few weeks earlier.

Non-por or not Ferguson is a key player for Linfield & would definitely be playing. No point competing if not going to treat seriously.

Opinion on OWC is divided:

http://ourweecountry.ipbhost.com/ind...ic=13617&st=75

I suspect that both Ferguson and Linfield know he would be on holiday at least weeks ago, but the club were relaxed about it because they treat the games as glorified friendlies.

Linfield 2-0 down, Thompson missed a penalty and they've mad 2 subs so far. And its not even half time!

3-1 to Gorica

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Originally Posted by Gather round

but the club were relaxed about it because they treat the games as glorified friendlies.

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Originally Posted by dancinpants

3-1 to Gorica

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Well they deserve to be behind and more than likely lose with that attitude.

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Originally Posted by Gather round

Opinion on OWC is divided:

http://ourweecountry.ipbhost.com/ind...ic=13617&st=75

I suspect that both Ferguson and Linfield know he would be on holiday at least weeks ago, but the club were relaxed about it because they treat the games as glorified friendlies.

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I thought the club was more visionary than that ?

Poor attitude if that's the case. No reason why Linfield can't be regularly progressing at least a round in Europe - particularly with the increase in professional players.

I think Jeffrey and some of the younger players are forward-looking, but it does seem that the directors and many of the fans are more interested in pipping the Glens and their now-annual loyalist love-in with Rangers. Very disappointing.

disgraceful way to prepare for a european game
anyone who prepares like that deserves a hammering.
the IL is going nowhere fast. the EL mightnt be worrying Barcelona Bayern etc, but at least the EL clubs go into european games realsiticaly expecting to win through at least one round
the IL clubs need to cop on

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Originally Posted by Gather round

the club were relaxed about it because they treat the games as glorified friendlies.

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Now, I have little time for Linfield's woes, or their league in general, but that is a very unprofessional approach to take regarding European games. In our league, there would be uproar if someone decided his holidays were more of a priority than playing a vital European match for his club, and in a roundabout way for his country's standing in Europe. But I guess for them up there, it's the norm. :o

As has been said, Glenn is part time. Therefore football is not his career. He has a young family and as his wife works in a school they are restricted as to when they can take holidays. Hardly fair to expect his family to go without a holiday is it and all for what is a part time job.

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Originally Posted by mypost

Now, I have little time for Linfield's woes, or their league in general, but that is a very unprofessional approach to take regarding European games. In our league, there would be uproar if someone decided his holidays were more of a priority than playing a vital European match for his club, and in a roundabout way for his country's standing in Europe. But I guess for them up there, it's the norm. :o

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Glens are missing at least 7 first teamers for our UEFA tie tomorrow night (some reasons for absence are enforced, eg: suspension, injury) and 3 of these absences are due to holidays.

Not best pleased, given that this is arguably our most important home match of the season.

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Originally Posted by Lux Interior

Glens are missing at least 7 first teamers for our UEFA tie tomorrow night (some reasons for absence are enforced, eg: suspension, injury) and 3 of these absences are due to holidays.

Not best pleased, given that this is arguably our most important home match of the season.

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I fail to see how any IL club could class a European game as the most important home match of the season. Whilst I really enjoyed our victory last season against Ventspils it didn't compare with any of our trophy wins for me.

Interesting difference between the two leagues, alright; our biggest crowds in recent years have been for european matches and the same is true for Shels; Cork's championship decider last year was probably their best crowd ever, but tonight, Turner's cross looked pretty full. In comparison, even Bohs/ Rovers matches - the Dublin equivalent of Blues/ Glens - don't get anything like what we got against Rosenberg. It would be easy to score points about the El being more forward looking and progressive, but it's more to do with a need to measure ourselves against other leagues, whereas the IL seems quite aware of it's lowly status and willing to live with it; the fact is that, in pursuit of the chimera of champions league success, clubs here have nearly bankrupted themselves, a temptation our more phlegmatic northern neighbours seem able to resist; a team in the EL with Linfield's support would be chasing the dream big time.

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Originally Posted by David

As has been said, Glenn is part time. Therefore football is not his career. He has a young family and as his wife works in a school they are restricted as to when they can take holidays. Hardly fair to expect his family to go without a holiday is it and all for what is a part time job.

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If the other players can manage to take their holidays at the same time, then one player shouldn't be allowed to hold his team-mates, his boss, his club's fans, and NI football in general to ransom. There are other times when holidays can be taken, and he either has to make alternative arrangements, or move to a club in a more professional league, where he can take holidays when it suits his circumstances. It's not fair, but that's how it goes. Work first, play later.

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Originally Posted by sonofstan

the IL seems quite aware of it's lowly status and willing to live with it; the fact is that, in pursuit of the chimera of champions league success, clubs here have nearly bankrupted themselves, a temptation our more phlegmatic northern neighbours seem able to resist; a team in the EL with Linfield's support would be chasing the dream big time

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Heh. That's generous, SoS, but in practice most IL clubs are basically bankrupt anyway- including those who play in the UEFA competitions regularly!

European games are a sense of huge pride throughout the eL as we struggle for some recognition for our league. The fact european games are often live on tv too means more professional approach.