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I really thought that some defenders would be in by now after Fenlon's arrival. What is it, three weeks he's been in? Thought he might have some Irish League contacts from his time with Linfield. But transfer window came and went... Maybe there are free agents knocking about, but looking more like the kids will have to step up.
The window doesn't close here for a few more weeks. Can still makes signings from the UK till then. Will probably be only young lads on loan though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bohtastic
Irish League window may have closed but LOI clubs can still buy/loan players from the Irish league until February 22nd - Open to correction. Pretty sure that’s when the LOI window closes for in contract players.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bohtastic
Joe Power signs for Bray https://twitter.com/betweenstripes/s...77321151926273
Ollie O'Neill to Derry on loan from Fulham. That's an interesting one. Could be very useful if he's ready for mens football. 7 goals, 6 assists in 12 games in the PL2 ain't bad for a winger.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
Anyone else think Derry are doing the classic LOI thing teams with money do & that is having a massively bloated squad? Great to have depth but hard to keep everyone happy, the old Fergie maxim of 2 players per position is long gone with most the top teams
suppose they are thinking/hoping to get as far as possible in europe, youll need bodies to challenge on both fronts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunny Kelly
In isolation yes more players is better but from a squad management point of view it is dangerous because players who aren't playing every week can become disgruntled & unmotivated. Maybe it will work out fine for them but I wonder as a relatively inexperienced manager will it be an extra headache that Higgins doesn't needQuote:
Originally Posted by Jd2793
I'd be really excited by the O'Neill signing if I was a Derry man.
As an LOI fan it's exciting too as the standard of prospects which are being sent here are slowly increasing season on season.
In particular I think it makes sense for UK based underage internationals. Playing in the LOI instead of the EPL2 should only help their claim in any Irish squads.
I make it a squad of 23 they have so far I would consider that a minimum for a team expected to play up to 50 games, challenge for a title and cup/European runs playing on an artificial home pitchQuote:
Originally Posted by Bunny Kelly
Quote:
Originally Posted by total hoofball
23 Senior pros which leaves you with a few sitting in the stands every week not happy. Rovers have had a got balance with talented young lads at the back end of the squad who won't be as demanding, Kenny never carried that big a squad at Dundalk either, it tended to be a core 17/18. The last squad that probably had this much 'depth' was Caulfield's Cork & while you may not have as many right backs as he did I'd be concerned you similarly won't be able to get the best out of your players.
Kian Leavy on loan to Shels from Reading until June..
Don't see any issues for Derry myself. I hope they pop up but they needed wide attackers and defensive midfielders. They missed Duffy badly and looked a bit fragile between midfield and defense until Diallo arrived. Connolly sorts some of that as well.
Lots of creativity but not enough bite to them for parts of last year I thought albeit only from games against us and highlights. O'Reilly gives them more if that and the two wingers will give them options they didn't have last year to backup Duffy. Their ability to challenge just got stronger for me.
Home "turf" would be more concerning than their squad at this point.
Bohs squad on twitter (sorry the link wouldn't copy) 19 players. 2 keepers, 3 defenders, 3 attacker and the rest midfielders and wingers. I think it's light. Very short on defenders and attackers and not long to get it sorted.
How do you define attackers? I'd always include wingers as attacking options myself. I think the squad is only lacking in defenders currently. From the preseason games I've seen we'll play 3 up front with a decent amount of options from McDaid, Connolly, Twardek, Coote, Williams, Afolabi, Akintinde & Okosun. Could argue we need another out and out striker but there is a need for them all through the league.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shinkicker
Also they have at least 4 defenders in Kirk, Burke, Horton and Byrne ;)
I quite like the balance of Bohs' squad in midfield and attack and think for the most part they should really be expected to put up a good challenge for top 4, but that defence really is an issue. Obviously they're going to be bringing players in but we're at that point in the window where you'd expect for most sides it'll just be loans in from the UK and there's always an element of risk and the unknown with those kind of deals, even more so than others a lot of the time. It's an awkward spot to be in so close to the start of the season.
Duffer at the league launch saying the going rate for a senior pro in top half of Prem is 1200-1400, would that be correct? Seems higher than I'd have expected but hard to know with these things
are you sure he didn't say top tenth of the Prem?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunny Kelly
I wouldn’t take much heed of what he says. He’s also quoted as saying his side were the most improved over the course of last season from game 1 (3-0 loss to pats) to game 36 (4-0 loss to pats), while winning 2 of their final 15 league and cup games against premier opposition, compared to 5 wins in their first 15. Little old Damien wouldn't be fond of letting the truth get in the way of a good spoofQuote:
Originally Posted by Bunny Kelly