Your feelings after Round One

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Originally Posted by Another Bohemia

Wouldn't read that as sour grapes TBH. It's a question all Bohs fans have about all the coaching staff at the minute. On the pitch they've changed from 4 ATB to 3 ATB with wingbacks after the Cork game if I remember correctly so they are certainly trying to change things I just don't think it's working. The players still seem to be behind Reynolds and the coaching staff (see Tierney's celebrations for the 2nd goal against) and they are probably more behind him than the squad was with Long when he was let go and Devine when he was given the boot. So the players are seeing the work being done and appreciate that they could be doing better (at least that's what I'm seeing). While none of this is O'Donnell specific he would certainly have input in all this so the staff is putting in effort but I just don't think they are the right people for the job. Other Bohs fans will have more negative opinions on the coaching staff but I just think they are wrong people, wrong time.

As for searching for another manager I certainly hope a shortlist is ready and they have been reaching out to guage interest. I don't think a prolonged search is good for the team morale if they sack a manager who the players are still in support of. The problem is who's available? Higgins will likely start as the favourite and given how poorly Derry are showing with a supposed upgrade on manager and many senior former internationals added to the squad it paints his tenure up there in a good light. Doherty is someone the fans would certainly want but I just don't see him abandoning ship when Drogheda are potentially in a title challenge and will play euro games in the summer. Maybe they try a cheeky bid for Joey O'Brien at shels? Politically it would be a good fit and a big issue is a lack of steel in Bohs defence so that might be an interesting option if he wants to move up to being a manager, that is of course a big if.

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Are political opinions one of the criteria for hiring a manager ?

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Originally Posted by Glen Of Aherlow

Are political opinions one of the criteria for hiring a manager ?

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No, I more so meant Joey's political opinions would mesh with the clubs so that might make it somewhat appealing to him rather than it being something that Bohs look for. It's absolutely clutching at straws logic for sure but it's one of the only things I could think of as a reason to leave shels at the minute outside of wanting to try his hand at management rather than being a coach.

It feels like Round 4…

Even though City are missing Maguire and Keating, what worries me more is the defensive side of things. Too many goals conceded, and that despite Troost pulling off some impressive saves. When the opposition puts on pressure, the defense often looks a bit chaotic. That needs to be fixed, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Very happy. I thought when I looked at the squad assembled we were in a battle for 9th place. Young lads have been excellent and we've played attractive football for the first season in about 15 years! We probably should have a few more points but there's lots to be optimistic about

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Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Honestly, it's been positive enough, bar the opening game of the season away to Kerry. We are where we are, we've probably one of the lowest budgets in all the LOI, we've an awful lot of kids in the squad getting their first taste of senior football, and we're competing well enough given the resources we have.

There's no reason a fit squad can't compete for the playoffs this year, after seeing the first round of games. It'll be key keeping the likes of Tony McNamee and David Cawley fit, and Max Hutchison has been superb playing out of position at centre back all year.

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Yeah we have definitely be a lot better than what I was expecting back before the opening game. Well capable of being in with a shout for a playoff spot injuries and suspension as we head into 3rd and 4th round of games would be my only fear for that

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Originally Posted by sidewayspasser

Even though City are missing Maguire and Keating, what worries me more is the defensive side of things. Too many goals conceded, and that despite Troost pulling off some impressive saves. When the opposition puts on pressure, the defense often looks a bit chaotic. That needs to be fixed, hopefully sooner rather than later.

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Best of luck with getting that fixed. Bohs have had 3 different managers over the last 5/6 seasons and plenty of different players both young and experienced to boot and we still look shaky at the back every week. Fixing a defence is easier said than done!

Pretty happy with where Pats are, especially as the common consensus (which I agree with) is that we haven’t been playing as well as we were at the end of last season. That was an exceptional run of results though, and I think the league will continue to be very competitive this year. I think we’ll be up there challenging until the end of the season, if we don’t win it. Definitely more to come from the team. Mason Melia has been very quiet too, which makes Keenas loss even more of a blow. If we can beat Rovers tomorrow it will be a nice statement. First game was close enough, so why not ?

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Originally Posted by TonyD

Pretty happy with where Pats are, especially as the common consensus (which I agree with) is that we haven’t been playing as well as we were at the end of last season. That was an exceptional run of results though, and I think the league will continue to be very competitive this year. I think we’ll be up there challenging until the end of the season, if we don’t win it. Definitely more to come from the team. Mason Melia has been very quiet too, which makes Keenas loss even more of a blow. If we can beat Rovers tomorrow it will be a nice statement. First game was close enough, so why not ?

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Is there anything to be said for starting Conor Carty and bringing Mason off the bench in the 2nd half ?

Rovers look like they might start to click now. If Michael Noonan gets a goal or 2 his confidence will soar and he has to be there at Johnny Kennys level. I was impressed with John O Sullivan playing in Midfield on Monday, Matt Healy looks to be a great buy but i think our best prospect atm is young Victor. So very happy.

Rovers have clicked already IMO - 5 wins and a draw from the last 6 would suggest as much.

Very pleased with the young players in particular - Noonan, Cory, Victor, John O’Sullivan all look really comfortable.

Stay in touch until July, get the new striker in, then push on even stronger in the 2nd half of the season and we’ll be there or thereabouts.

Wexford are probably where they would have been expected to be - pushing for a play-off place. The loss of the three points against UCD is a bit of a disaster though. Also a low point is that no club has been able to keep pace with Dundalk; a scrap at the top always increases interest. Plenty of plus points, though. Stephen Elliott looks like a very clued-in manager. Paul Martin has been impressive in goal. Calum Flynn, a young player with four goals in the last three games, looks very assured in front of goal. A welcome find for a player who is reputed to have phoned the club looking to play for our U20s. Mikie Rowe is on fire and Dobbsy is now back from injury. Dean Larkin and Robbie McCourt beginning to gel in the middle of the back four. Young Filip Wasilewski beginning to show glimpses of a player who was looked at by Parma. Needs to improve on consistency. James Crawford on an upward trajectory. But the major plus is watching a player who is still 17, Kaylem Harnett, basically running the Wexford show in midfield. Fantastic touch and vision for one so young. LOITV commentators have commented positively about Kaylem during away games. Who knows how far he will progress?

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Originally Posted by WeAreRovers

Stay in touch until July, get the new striker in, then push on even stronger in the 2nd half of the season and we’ll be there or thereabouts.

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This is something a lot of people fall into the trap of thinking. Because of the games brought forward for European participation and cup games later in the season, the way the league fixtures are top loaded in the first 4 months of the season vs the last 5/6 months, the 4 European clubs will reach the halfway point in 5 weeks time, mid May, rather than July.

Those 4 clubs will have 9 games in the next 5 weeks which is going to be hectic and that’s where the squad depths will really be tested this year. Whichever of the challengers can keep the injury issues to a minimum in that time could have a big say on where the title ends up

July refers to the opening of the transfer window not the end of the first half of the season but point taken.

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Originally Posted by ForzaForth

Wexford are probably where they would have been expected to be - pushing for a play-off place. The loss of the three points against UCD is a bit of a disaster though. Also a low point is that no club has been able to keep pace with Dundalk; a scrap at the top always increases interest. Plenty of plus points, though. Stephen Elliott looks like a very clued-in manager. Paul Martin has been impressive in goal. Calum Flynn, a young player with four goals in the last three games, looks very assured in front of goal. A welcome find for a player who is reputed to have phoned the club looking to play for our U20s. Mikie Rowe is on fire and Dobbsy is now back from injury. Dean Larkin and Robbie McCourt beginning to gel in the middle of the back four. Young Filip Wasilewski beginning to show glimpses of a player who was looked at by Parma. Needs to improve on consistency. James Crawford on an upward trajectory. But the major plus is watching a player who is still 17, Kaylem Harnett, basically running the Wexford show in midfield. Fantastic touch and vision for one so young. LOITV commentators have commented positively about Kaylem during away games. Who knows how far he will progress?

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Harnett was seriously impressive in the two matches I saw him in against Kerry and Longford. Wouldn't mind seeing him at Pats in the next season or so but he could easily get a move abroad.

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Originally Posted by Glen Of Aherlow

Is there anything to be said for starting Conor Carty and bringing Mason off the bench in the 2nd half ?

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It’s certainly an option I think. Conors all round game is pretty good, and he works his socks off. Only thing holding him back is a lack of goals. He may well get a chance to start though.

It's been a mixed bag for Waterford. We were top after 4 games but have lost 5 games in a row since then to drop to 8th. The next 2 games against Sligo Rovers and Cork City will be important. If we don't pick up at least 4 points from them Keith Long will be under pressure. Some of the new signings haven't looked great so far and Matt Smith hasn't played at all due to injury.

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Originally Posted by ForzaForth

Wexford are probably where they would have been expected to be - pushing for a play-off place. The loss of the three points against UCD is a bit of a disaster though. Also a low point is that no club has been able to keep pace with Dundalk; a scrap at the top always increases interest. Plenty of plus points, though. Stephen Elliott looks like a very clued-in manager. Paul Martin has been impressive in goal. Calum Flynn, a young player with four goals in the last three games, looks very assured in front of goal. A welcome find for a player who is reputed to have phoned the club looking to play for our U20s. Mikie Rowe is on fire and Dobbsy is now back from injury. Dean Larkin and Robbie McCourt beginning to gel in the middle of the back four. Young Filip Wasilewski beginning to show glimpses of a player who was looked at by Parma. Needs to improve on consistency. James Crawford on an upward trajectory. But the major plus is watching a player who is still 17, Kaylem Harnett, basically running the Wexford show in midfield. Fantastic touch and vision for one so young. LOITV commentators have commented positively about Kaylem during away games. Who knows how far he will progress?

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How many of these lads are from Wexford or the South-East region? I know Mikie Rowe is but not really sure about the rest.

I know James Keddy said that he felt there was too much pressure to play lads from the area. That tends to become a bigger issue when results aren't being achieved... "we could be finishing 6th with local lads rather than shipping in lads from Dublin" etc.

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Originally Posted by ForzaForth

. Also a low point is that no club has been able to keep pace with Dundalk; a scrap at the top always increases interest.

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Bray are only 3 points behind them,and it just take a 3 or 4 game winless run for Dundalk and they will have 2 or 3 others within striking distance. At the start of the season I thought Dundalk would be comfortably ahead of the rest but I have seen them play Harp twice this season and don't see anything that puts them much ahead of the majority of the rest

How many of these lads are from Wexford or the South-East region? I know Mikie Rowe is but not really sure about the rest.

I know James Keddy said that he felt there was too much pressure to play lads from the area. That tends to become a bigger issue when results aren't being achieved... "we could be finishing 6th with local lads rather than shipping in lads from Dublin" etc.

The players from Co. Wexford involved in the squad would include Mikie Rowe, Aaron Dobbs, Kaylem Harnett, Filip Wasilewski, Ryan Butler, Conor Levingston, Oscar Ramsey, Harry Sherlock and Darragh Levingston. A number of others are from neighbouring counties including Paul Martin, Jack and Dean Larkin, Ryan Scanlon, Calum Flynn and Mark Imiren. Alex Moody is from Newbridge. James Crawford is also from Co. Kildare. So, we'd have a good majority of the squad from the South-East.