Quote:
Originally Posted by joey B
Wow that would be a coup if true.
Daniel McDonnell normally is pretty reliable
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joey B
Wow that would be a coup if true.
Daniel McDonnell normally is pretty reliable
Rovers starting to look like a Dundalk alumni club. Well I suppose if you want to dominate an era ye could sign up players from a team that already has dominated an era!
Havent seen Towell with Salford so no idea about his form/fitness but if he is anywhere near the player he was when at Dundalk it could be a potential game changer. Maybe he has signed a precontract but if not he could trigger a bit of a bidding war on his wages and it would be foolish for Dundalk not to at least suss him out though he wouldnt have to bother with any real commute if going to Rovers. All the more reason why Dundalk need to be quick out of the traps - not easy when there is turn over of players in the squad and the main rivals being pretty settled. Word on the vine is that the players are very impressed with this new striker and think he will be a hit. If that turns out to be the case then we have 3 good goal threats to pick from. Id hope that players will have shaken off some of the niggle injuries though preseason doesnt fill me with hope on that so far. Then its down really to whether there is real quality in signings at the back starting with the keeper.
From the reporting it sounds like Dundalk did try to suss him out and even made an offer but he chose Rovers. Will be interesting to see more on it. If Dundalk lost out due to offering one of their new short term deals it's a big mistake in my eyes because if Towell signs for Rovers I'd put us back as favourites for the league. We lost goals with Jack and Aaron and he will hopefully provide those from midfield, as well as depriving Dundalk of the boost.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
Shaping up to be competitive anyway, especially if even half of Dundalk's Foreign Legion work out to be at the level required. Bohs will go further again I think so it will be a lot closer at the top. Sligo quietly going about their business too although still not ready for a top 3 push I don't think.
Yeah it sounds very much like he has turned down Dundalk. I think it is fair to say Dundalk as
of today are far from the Dundalk he left, and if the finances are relatively similar Rovers look the sensible choice.
I imagine it was sold to him as we really need you, you know we have lost Byrne etc come in and be our main man in there.
But he isnt a former Irish international so doesnt fit the profile for Rovers! Seriously though it very well could be that he is eyeing up the gap left by Byrne and maybe even put himself back in with shout of a call up, however slim that chance might be. The way things are at Dundalk with contracts its very hard to know if it was a competitive offer. Current phases in relative squads aside, CL football etc, if similar or even more was being offered, who would want a spin every day when there is a club over the road - it would have to be a substantially better offer to turn the head. Seems we have run out of kitchen sinks!
Could be a great signing for Rovers if it comes to pass. Could it be he saw Rovers and dundalk on different arcs of their future, with one on an upward curve and the other in a downward direction?
He also could have seen Gannon & Hoare coming here and thought tallaght was the preferred choice.
Can't think it was about money as Dundalk are flush from their euro exploits so could outbid Rovers easily you'd imagine.
The only downside would/could be him not arriving till the summer so effectively guys playing the first few months knowing their place is under threat if/when he arrives.
I haven't followed his career when he left LOI, but he was the star man in the league when he played here.
Let's see what happens I guess.
Hard to know what to make of Towell joining Rovers. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care that he hasn’t come back to us. I don’t think he’ll be the same player he was with us 6 years ago but he has definite quality. He’s done ok in England but has had a couple of serious injuries this season. If he’s on his game he’ll definitely help fill a gap in Rovers midfield.
We deal in current and future internationals more regularly these days ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
Touché! lol. I agree with PC above, looking at the 2 sides Rovers look to be on an upward trend and Dundalk the opposite. It's great to be able to say that a season on from being champions (and good seasons back to 2013), being current cup holders, and just off a European group stage campaign. We are an unknown this new season in many ways, a manager that needs to prove himself domestically at least (did I mention winning the cup) and a number of signings we know damn all about - they could tear up the league and kickstart getting off the LoI transfer roundabout. Im not going to even think of the alternative as at least there are plenty of proven top LoI players still at the club. The squad is looking quite balanced imo, more than in some previous seasons where we seemed to have a bunch of lads that were too similar. The loss of Finn and McGrath after has needed sorting but some luck with injuries, players showing consistent form, with changes in formations I think it can be covered.Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
If Byrne and McEneff hadnt left Tallaght I dont think anyone would bet against Rovers. If Gannon had been kept at Oriel Dundalk fans would be less nervous that new signings are bargain basement replacements. As has often been said, the keeper situation is key but if Cherrie is to step in as No1, if we are generally sound defensively he is good enough. There are a lot more unknowns this season than there has been for a while. Bohs and Sligo will be in the mix too, I think Sligo could be the surprise challengers this season. Pats will be a tighter side too I think. We have the Louth Derby also this season which can be battle not to drop points. It's certainly going to be a curious first round of the league. When restrictions on fans are lifted we could see some bumper crowds too if there isnt a runaway leader by then.
What makes you think he is good enough ? I know he has played at Dundalk previously but I am surprised to hear Dundalk fans being positive, as in my opinion you have signed the worst keeper in the division last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
I wish him all the best but he was the player a lot of our fans felt had to be first out the door.
When you consider how bad we were last year that speaks volumes.
Wishful thinking! I think Cherrie is a confidence player - tough when a keeper. Not being the commanding vocal type he needs players like that in front of him which I think he does. At a stretch without seeing new signings yet but he is well capable of being that last line shot stopper if he isnt roaming about the box. He is as good as Sava as a reserve keeper if Abibi is worth his salt. Cherrie is good in a good team ;)
This i agree with , Rogers was only a very average keeper prone to gaffs when under pressure which considering how good DFC have been for the last 5 years was not often.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
Bit like a hatstand could score goals when up front and getting loads of chances in a good team a bang average keeper wont concede many goals in a good team.
I was surprised DFC didnt go for Brendan Clarke , maybe he doesnt want to go full time but i always thought he was incredibly solid.
I realise he has signed elsewhere now but he was available for a while
At this stage, I'm almost half surprised Dundalk didn't keep hold of McCarey.
Cherrie has been very poor this last two seasons.
There must be something in the water up there because I'd genuinely love to have the levels of optimism the vast majority of Dundalk fans have. If roles were reversed, and Rovers had lost two players to Dundalk, lost out on Towell, and had recruited the same group of players Dundalk have, the pitchforks would be out and the 'Enough is Enough' banner would be making another appearance!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
The goalkeeping situation alone would have me throwing a wobbler tbh.
1) Well some are unhappy. For me, the team looked like in needed refreshing (and the players too). Hoare looked to have gone backways, Gannon too (but seemed to injured). Both are replaceable for Dundalk (ableit good gains for Rovers). Keeping Duffy was massive, no replacing him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonny
2) Towell fills a much bigger gap at Rovers, they must have thrown money and offered a long term deal to beat Dundalk. Gutted we missed out on a near iconic Dundalk player, but that is the way it is.
3) New players are exotic, and who knows what they will deliver. Sonni and the Lativan have good international experience. Stanton has a bit of pedigree... anyways was there much to sign in the league? Not many players that signed for other clubs are obviously better than what Dundalk signed.
4) Rogers retired. McCarey wasnt good enough. Not much Dundalk can do and needed 2 goalkeepers. Cherrie is a good no.2 gk. Lets hope there is no need for him to be a number 1.
Overall, its easy to be optimistic when a ball hasnt been kicked. We will see when the season starts. The Kenny era is over, so there is always going to be changes.
Yeah, thats it well summed up by Kiki. I dont think its optimism as much as acknowledging that we just dont know and are being more pragmatic on the changes at the club and with the squad. Signings in seem to be more about suiting tactics and formation thats in mind, maybe even with lads that were let leave easily also (eg Gannon struggling as a wing back). Under VP it seemed more like bringing in players and slotting them in to a rigid system where they had to adapt and where there was little change irrespective of opposition and how a game was panning out or adjusting formation to a squads strengths.
While I wouldnt be surprised if we went toe to toe at the top of the league, I wont be shocked if we are off the pace for the title. I would be shocked if we were out of European contention. We also have a potential 1st 11 of tried and tested players with a lot of ability but didnt shown consistent good form last season, if they do play to their ability then that alone is reason not to hit any panic buttons. Its an evolution or freshening of the squad rather than rebuilding it. We have 3 good strikers that offer somthing different. Midtskogen is a big strong player that you want to supply with crosses from out wide and using wing backs fits (Dummigan and Leahy we know and Jurkovskis in). Playing 3 at the back we've left and right footed centre-backs and Nattestad is again a big lad that should be imposing, i'd worry a bit about pace though as Garts and Boyle we know are not the quickest so Cleary will be and important starter. FG insists on playing it out from the back so you'd expect Abibi to have been signed with that in mind, that he can pass the ball!! Wasnt Rogers strong point often kicking rugby like to touch, and Cherrie wouldnt stand out as a baller keeper either so there is a lot of hope on Abibi having been scouted as up to it. Midfield we know plenty about, form and fitness of the knowns was an issue last season so some lads need to step up and some luck on the injury front would be nice. Murray and McEleney could continues to be brittle and game time is limited Stanton, Junior will be significant signings. Central midfield we need Shields to keep going and Sloggett to continue to progress, we could even see Duffy tried in a more central role. Kelly and Duffy out wide obviously with Junior and Dummigan also likely to slot in there if needed. We dont know what Perez and Dogan are like really. I still hope the Korean lad gets the go ahead as he'd offer further options out wide and centrally. We have the odd young lad too like Ryan O'Kane that Id expect to get game time if possible, with greater focus on player development.
So my long winded assessment of the squad. There could be an amount of players slotting in and out of different positions to provide cover as it isnt like having 2 teams as under Kenny and when some players got stale. Luck and more luck with injuries and suspensions, a signing or two more and were good to go. There isnt enough games planned preseason imo for the various combinations of players to be worked on but FG at face value doesnt seem overly concerned. There could yet be some out of contract signings for cover but in saying that its possibly why Perez and Dogan are in the squad. Perez is some character - you will hear him before you see him!!
Harps confirm the loan signing of striker Ryan Shanley from Hibernian.
Made his first team debut for Hibs in October past. Was on loan with Kelty Hearts in Lowland League in December before their season was curtailed. Scored a few goals there too. Could be an interesting signing.
Well you should be shocked if you're off the pace for the title when your playing budget is almost double that of your nearest rivals, and many multiples that of most teams in the league!! It would be completely ludicrous if you were 'out of European contention.' You have a squad of 30 first team players ffs!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
Also, Duffy is out with a "long-term" back injury according to Gerry Malone?
I stand by my original point. If Rovers had done Dundalk's business in the off season there would be serious discontent and concern - rightly or wrongly. Instead, and again whether its justified remains to be seen, Dundalk fans seem very, very optimistic about the recruitment and the season ahead. Interesting season ahead either way!
With respect, you are deluded if you think Rovers would have had to throw money at Towell to appeal more than Dundalk.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa
They are reigning champions and odds on to retain their title. They have a manager who knows the team and league inside out, they have recruited well and are relatively settled.
Dundalk on the other hand...
Every single footballing consideration that comes to mind for a player like Towell deciding between the two comes down with a tick beside Rovers, it is very possible (frankly probable) that their didn’t have to be a contract financially significantly better on offer from them.
From what I've heard Dundalk's offer was better financially, which isn't surprising, but he went for the Rovers deal. Don't know any details but I think the Rovers offer was longer, so obviously would mean more guaranteed money over the course of the deal.Quote:
Originally Posted by DCWA
With the tax rates for all income of over 2k a week at 55% in this socialist republic the extra money offered if a player wants to go to a particular club would need to be substantial to make you change your club preference.
Not just in towells case , just in general for the better players.
None of the Mangt from his time at DFC are there and with Finn, Hoare and Gannon at Rovers and him being from Dublin it makes sense.
Driving up from Dublin every day would be a pain if you plan on living in Dublin in the end.
Life is no always just about money
Its well discussed that there are reservations on Dundalk's recruitment, an inexperienced manager at senior level, madcap involvement of an american based chairman, contract policy, injury prone players (see recruitment issues) so I dont know why you would think it should be a shock if a title challenge goes off the rails. Shock would imply absolute expectation (which no doubt would be considered arrogant) - its been commented on here about Dundalk fans' optimism in relation to a keeper signing as misguided. Its also been suggested that Towell possibly signing for Rovers is an indication of where the respective clubs are at - especially if the cash is being splashed and A player still opts for a lesser deal. Budgets are a big influence on things but its not the only piece for a title chasing club. Again its a pragmatic approach to the possibilities of the season coming, cautiously optimistic if signings work out and the old guard stay mostly injury free. Annoyed would be more appropriate on how Dundalk fans should feel if the club has 'double the playing budget' and not be topping the heap, but shocked - nope. I dont know where you are getting your figures from but Id love to know what Dundalk's wage bill is that is not just throw away speculation!? Double the budget?? Sure everyone knows that we have the 4th highest playing budget in the league (along with everyone else!!).Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonny
We dont have a 30 man squad but maybe it was more a flippant comment but what we definitely dont have is 2 senior squads playing in LoI!
If Gerry Malone says it it must be true...
Well he did opt to play in the lowest tier of the English football league, I doubt it was for the glory of playing for Salford and buttons! But the rest of your post does show why Dundalk fans wouldnt be shocked if not in the title race as Sonny thinks we should.Quote:
Originally Posted by DCWA
How are you feeling now after seeing some of the imports v Bohs? I only watched the highlights but Jurkovskis seemed to stand out a bit? And the young lad O'Kane had a few flashes?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
There's sizeable tax relief for professional sportspeople, so the income tax rate isn't actually relevant.Quote:
Originally Posted by sbgawa
Agree with your other points though.
There's a bang of Cork City 2020 off some of these randomers signing for Waterford.
Here's a fact for ye: if Waterford were relegated and replaced by (say) Shels or Galway*, the southernmost team in next season's PD would be Shamrock Rovers. (by my reckoning, Tallaght Stadium is south of Eamon Deacy Park by about 120 metres, going by the centre circles)
You would have to be worried if you were a Waterford fan alright. Signing lads from the outer reaches of non league football is either a sign of desperation, or Newell and Sheedy underestimating the league greatly.
The National League in England is non-league, similar level to the LOI imo
I watch the national league in England quite a bit and have been to a few games a year for the last few years. It’s a decent standard of football with a lot of players that could play in the LOI & vice versa. The major obstacle in comparing the two leagues would be the different football cultures. The majority of LOI teams want to try and play nice football with passing play etc where the majority of national league clubs have no interest in trying.
Okay there is a lot going on here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
Firstly, my original observation is based on a quick browse of the Dundalk forum, and to a lesser extent posters here, who generally seem less cautious than you do about the coming season, and in particular seem very confident about a lot of the signings. I'm simply saying that this is very surprising to me, and if roles were reversed I am 100% sure Rovers fans would be very unhappy with the recruitment and be far less optimistic about the potential to make up 22 points on last season. We'll find out soon enough whether the optimism is warranted. To me it looks like your recruitment strategy is very risky and haphazard, and comes across as throwing **** at a wall hoping enough of it sticks.
Your owner publicly stated in an interview about 6 months ago that your budget was double that of Rovers', and any public financial information from the last few years seems to support that. Dundalk's staffing costs are astronomical in LOI terms.
And finally, 30 was slightly hyperbolic, but not that far off. You have at least 26 first team players!! Not winning the league is a massive, massive failure for Dundalk given the resources available.
Havent seen much of the game yet tbh. The pregame production looked great and with having Roche in with the LMFM commentator. Jersey growing on me too.Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
* Just watched the 1st half there and my first impression was that it is a good game, which is a positive for a first outing with a new look side. I'm very impressed with Ryan O'Kane, composure belying his young age, good understanding with Dummigan down that wing and put in some lovely crosses. On corner taking duty which shows managements confidence in him and he didnt put in one wayward one. It was unfortunate that he dragged the ball wide when put through on goal but tbh he read things well to make the run for McMillan to slip the ball through.
Abibi is the total opposite to Cherrie in that he is quick off the line and around the box, a positive but will no doubt give us a few heart attacks.
Jurkovskis looks handy and not in a Oduwa way - has raided down the right and some neat interplay too, one lovely run in the 20th min if anyone wants to jump in for an example on the link below.
Nattestad looks solid so far and a threat at corners but not involved a whole lot - put one attacking header in the box out nearly at the halfway line lol but it was just over running the ball in so shall let him off that one.
The old guard have been generally good, jump in at 15mins for the McMillan effort - super first touch and volley and if it had gone in would have done the social media rounds.
Shields is playing more like O'Donnell, efficient, dictating tempo, breaking up play, recycling the ball well. Less frantic if that makes sense and really is the one pulling the strings.
Bohs goal was sloppy from Sloggett, those sort of errors will expose us in this new system of stretching wide when in possession and there is no chance to compact things -high risk high reward stuff.
Boyle looks more like the player of 2016 in this game that he did at any time last season, fresh rather than laboured.
Midtskogen didnt do a whole lot in his 30mins but looks able to be a real nuisance for defenders.
So yeah, happy with what Ive seen so far though it is still a preseason game so no losing the run of things. Better than I expected as usually a 1st game back is full of wayward passing and imistimed interplay. There is a cohesion that ye would only really expect after a few games so maybe lots of preseason games isnt the be all if work on the training ground is doing that job. For preseason there is more urgency and better tempo than what was seen competitively last season especially in the league. Cant really judge too much on a single opposition but its a lot more positive than negative!
Bohs started slowly but worked in to the half well. Took the chance gifted to them and hit the post so could have been 2 up at HT after seeing little enough of the ball. Even half overall other than that. Keith Long's suntan is impressive too:cool::D
2nd half subs will be interesting now.
https://www.dundalkfc.com/live-strea...c-v-bohemians/
Massive failure not winning the league is a different debate than why id not be shocked at that failure. I wont be super surprised if we are first over the line either - is that being too optimistic. We probably dont differ that much in how things have been done at Oriel recently. I cant speak for other Dundalk fans but im keeping my powder dry on making bold predictions. Come November I will be very happy to be able to say that thngs werent so haphazard at all in the end and that recruitment was spot on. I will still dislike zonal marking but wont be moaning too much if we dont cough up much.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonny
That's all fair enough. It's an interesting season with lots of unknowns. From Dundalk's point of view I really feel the most likely scenario is that Filippo gets his p45 in the summer, but the nature of the league is such that if Rovers don't win it, Dundalk probably will.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
I was thinking of this before, if I was a Dublin player and coming back from UK, last thing I would want to do after settling back in the city, would be to travel up the m1 twice a day 5 times a week.Quote:
Originally Posted by sbgawa
Seemingly DFC offered a 2 year contract, Rovers 3, again and at his age, I can see why he took the latter offer.
A the classic Rovers not offering big money deflection. Towell's drop to league 2 was not ambition related. He's playing regularly for Salford so isn't surplus to requirements.
If anyone thinks he's taking a big financial hit coming home or there was a big difference in the offers you are deluded. Good player but you're not getting 2015 Towell. He'll do well but won't replace Byrne or McEneff.
No idea if Dundalk's signings will come good, liked what I saw from a few today. Is it good enough to bridge the gap, maybe. The gap to bridge isn't as big now though.
Collie O'Neill appointed Cabo manager
Great to see him back in the league
You're Breaking new ground by saying this now Sonny,be careful you dont repeat yourself lad:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonny
You dont think Dundalk will win it - we fuqing get it!!
Great appointment that. Was impressed at UCD, and thought he was one of the brightest young managers in LOI. Their tweet says though that he joined the first team coaching staff. I dont think he is the manager.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Are Cabo developing any sort of following?
Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Thanks for that
Wow they basically get ten years tax back , thats some deal.
Kinda makes sense now why a player would come bac from england for a lot less then he was on if they ultimately want to live/bring their kids up in Ireland (not talking about Towell in particular) just general.
If a player is living in Northern Ireland but playing/paying taxes here do they qualify for this scheme, any idea?