Have heard some talk of O'Reilly back to Pats myself. Who knows at this stage though, a lot can change before this season is even out never mind once the madness of the winter window kicks in.
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Have heard some talk of O'Reilly back to Pats myself. Who knows at this stage though, a lot can change before this season is even out never mind once the madness of the winter window kicks in.
Daire McCarthy has joined the University of Charlotte soccer team - seems they won their regional conference last season, and reached the last 32 of the national championship, where they were beaten by the eventual overall winners.
Haven't heard that, but his contract is up at the end of the season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack B
Would be very sorry to see him go, he gives us so much in midfield.
Very interesting video here with the Hamilton director of football outlining the type of money players are making here now. He says they tried to sign Pierrot but couldn't complete with the deal Drogheda were offering him. https://x.com/notapunditpod_/status/1821818702121038079
Interesting comments. While I don’t doubt that our clubs are paying a lot more than they did in the last 10 years or so, it should be caveated with the note that Hamilton were in Scotland’s third tier when trying to sign Pierrot and this month have struggled to pay their own players despite just being promotedQuote:
Originally Posted by RealJohn91
Also remember Tim Clancy saying something similiar and signing Keating and Maguire.
I think the Hamilton's managers underlying point was that the LOI was a cheap hunting ground for Scottish 2nd tier clubs up until a few seasons ago and it is no longer the case for them. Maybe it's a good thing higher wages are preventing the LOI from being further bled dry, the post-pandemic boost in attendances, increased investment and the lack of quality emerging out of the U19 leagues has ballooned LOI wages but I worry about the sustainability of all this if some clubs don't make Europe, if fans get bored of the LOI again or if there is a decline in the domestic and/or global economy
Hamilton are a basket case.
Shels signed former Irish International Aiden O’Brien.…
A UK based journalist with around 150k followers has tweeted that Romal Palmer has interest from multiple EFL clubs. Seems a pretty reputable source, he mentions that Goztepe (who have been promoted to the Turkish top tier since loaning him out) are willing to let him go for free before the 28th of August. Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him move on, he’s been performing at a level above LOI standard for a while now that he’s found his fitness and a run of games
5 time capped Ireland international Aiden O'Brien signs for Shels on a multi year contract. Quite similar to Sean Maguire in that he’s a handful of Ireland caps, played at 1 club in the Championship for years (Millwall for O’Brien, Preston for Maguire) then in recent years dropped down to League One and Two and the goals have dried up before moving to the LOI at 30. Could go either way with both but I’d say they’re more likely to bang in goals than flop. Good signing, particularly considering shels have been playing a central midfielder up top in Evan Caffrey
Good point made above about what happens if the economy takes a turn and the sustainability of the level of wages being paid (and the number of players on pro contracts at some clubs). You can have the best commercial manager, but if advertising/marketing budgets are slashed by businesses there is little they can do to bring in revenue. No way are ticket sales alone covering the wages of the squads at any LoI club. Hope clubs are not been reckless.
We can be damn sue that there is reckless behaviour happening. It does have a hint of mid 2000s about the league bar the attendances. Some clubs are insulated by wealthy backers that can weather a storm but most cant. As much as P6 were messing, fans pushing for them to go, at least while they were about they were paying the way and could continue to do so (maybe with our own hard earned reserves mind). I think it was Oriel mentioned that one of our more obscure squad members that was playing damn all was one of the highest players at the club until the recent window and I doubt that the likes of Benson is on buttons as a top established league player.
Wages are being driven up, Dundalk probably the culprits of kicking off this cycle of wage inflation tbh but any economic shock will push things very close to and asterick season again. Maguire may love CCFC but he hardly has signed on 1st Division rates, Corks crowds are premier division levels but its speculatory stuff until he is scoring regularly next season and there are other examples. Shels had som wriggle room with loan players leaving but they have possibly gambled on a pricey signing and get pipped for the title, Europe sorted either way but yeah maybe some more speculate to accumulate stuff.
At least with Dundalk now, as precarious as things are on a few levels, there seems to be a more considered squad build, no big hitters, promoting youths from within, and some old heads that might take less money for a contract extension - but thats the positive type spin. Alternatively we are where we are because we cant compete for signatures that could really make a difference in the run in, maybe not even against Drogheda.
Some chat that Romal Palmer might be playing his last game for us on Thursday. Despite having him on loan until the end of the season, his parent club are apparently willing to let him leave on a free before the end of this window and there's interest from clubs in England. Not particularly ideal given Pats are light in midfield regardless and he's only really found his feet in the last few weeks for us. Hopefully it's not the case.
Orlandas Jakas, formerly of Rovers' academy and more recently playing in Lithuania is seemingly coming in. Can't say I'm familiar with him and given he's only 18 I'm guessing he's more so going to feature for the U20s.
Peter Grogan signing for Austin FC in the MLS from Bray ….
That would be a shame. Took him a while to settle, but he’s been very good recently. If this is his last game, would be great to sign off with another goal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack B
A lot of people on here blaming Fenlon for Bohs poor recruitment. Article in the Belfast telegraph saying Glentoran are still looking to add to their squad and the only common denominator is Devine. Makes you wonder??
Personally I stopped blaming Fenlon when I saw how quickly we got deals done in July. Whether they work out or not is still to be seen but there was a massive turnaround of the squad during that month with players coming and going. That's also while Fenlon was doing commentary on some games at the Euros. The manager it seems has a big hand in recruitment for Bohs it looks like Fenlons role is more as an intermediary between the board and manager and he probably plays some role in the negotiations with players agents as well. Whether that's the best structure is probably a matter of opinion but to lump this season solely at the feet of Fenlon would be folly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shinkicker
We recruited badly before Fenlon arrived before the start of the 2023 season. Does anyone remember the dirty dozen (it was probably less but sounded good) we panic bought half way through the 2022 season.
Afolabi and Clarke were signed in summer 2022 and probably turned out to be your better signings over past 2 years and Declan McDaid is still there. I make the others that summer who did not work out as Ryan Burke, Laurenz Dehl, Josh Kerr, Jon McCracken, John O'Sullivan, Ethon VarianQuote:
Originally Posted by ger121
If I had time to go through Bohs signings say from 2019 to 2024 I would be confident off-season 2022 was the juncture Bohs recruitment woes started to hit while increasing the budget and recruitment deteriorated further under Fenlon