Encouraging at least that Legia aren't in blistering form. One win, one loss and three draws from their 5 league games.
On the other hand will Dundalk be able to match the level they hit in the last 60 minutes against BATE is a big question.
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Encouraging at least that Legia aren't in blistering form. One win, one loss and three draws from their 5 league games.
On the other hand will Dundalk be able to match the level they hit in the last 60 minutes against BATE is a big question.
The key thing is to keep it tight and compete. We are looking at maybe 20k+ non-LOI spectators that need to be impressed enough with the standard of football on show to decide to take in some live LOI matches.
Bottle it?? Sorry, stu but if they do go a couple of goals down early on it won't be because they bottled it. Bottling is what happens when you're the better team who's supposed to win but you don't because you can't handle the expectancy/pressure.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
This isn't aimed at you at all stu, but I'm getting the impression that a lot of the wider public (mainly ppl who don't follow LOI) are getting really carried with Dundalk's chances of progression. Don't get me wrong, I hope to God they get a result. I'll be there in the South stand lower roaring them on whatever happens on Wed, but we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. It's an enormous ask to beat another team over 2 legs who will have more quality and experience.
Even if they play the game of their lives (again) there's every chance they could lose, especially if Finn and McEleney aren't fully recovered. It would be a sickener though because it will just give more fuel to the barstoolers that LOI isn't worth their time.
I think it's the duty of us LOI folks to temper expectation amongst the crowd on Wed. A lot of ppl who show up may never have seen a LOI side before and will be expecting Dundalk to be at the level they usually see on TV.
Exactly we could replay the bate game another 9 times and possible 8 of those BATE would come out on top or the 1st leg ad we'd of lost by 2 or more.
One of the key reasons we won the tie was that bate showed us no respect in the 2nd leg. They thought the job was done and when they needed to up it they couldn't as we were on a roll.
The key is preparation to give is the best opportunity. I believe the king will provide that and ensure we keep mistakes to a minimum and importantly that when Legia make a mistake or a lapse in concentration that we are able to capitalize.
Clean sheet for me is key. Need to avoid conceding the away goal even more so than scoring
Is Gartland going to be back in time for the second leg?
Ya those last two posts make sense, everything conspired for Dundalk over both legs, but especially the goal just before half time and the subsequent second half, its fair to say that its an even bigger task. But all you can hope for regardless of the overall result, is that they give a good account of themselves, and hold their own in the home leg and therefore keeping the tie alive going to the second game. I think its most more important that those who go to watch the game, don't see a trouncing, whatever happens in the second leg. Out of sight more out of mind and all that.
Legia are big favourites for sure. But I think it's arguably fair to say that Dundalk would be bottling it if they let the occasion get to them and as a result went 2-0 down within ten minutes. I think there's a big difference between that and a big performance where they end up losing 2-0.Quote:
Originally Posted by Philosophizer
It all comes down to each person's own definition of "bottle" I suppose. I expect Legia will be on top for most of the match, just like BATE were in Belarus and in the 1st half in Dublin, so if Dundalk are a couple of goals down early on I think it's more likely to be that they will have been opened up by higher quality players rather than them getting stage-fright. But the stage-fright is also a possibility I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Anyway, back my main point, I just know there will be some Sky Sports heads in the Aviva whining, criticising and scoffing every time a Dundalk player misplaces a pass or makes a mistake (which certainly will happen at some stage). There was a few of them near me in Tallaght. We should try to persuade these types to get behind the players and offer encouragement even if Dundalk are not playing well. It would be really terrible if newly-acquired Dundalk supporters gave up on the team if they have a poor opening half an hour and go a couple of goals down.
good newsQuote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
https://twitter.com/jamesdundalk/sta...66254604840960Quote:
Big boost for Dundalk ahead of Wednesday's game with Legia Warsaw with manager Stephen Kenny declaring Brian Gartland fit and ready to play
I honestly couldn't care less how we play if we manage to get into the CL group stages. This game isn't about entertaining the non LoI fans it's about beating Legia.Quote:
Originally Posted by GCdfc
I'd like to build up some sort new support along the way as it would help the club in the future. For the people who normally sit on the barstools it would require a decent performance.
Yossarian is right. Wed is about getting a result. And besides, success is the best way of attracting supporters anyway. Always has been, always will be.
If Dundalk get battered for 180 mins and manage to scrape over the line they'll gain many more new supporters than they would in defeat, no matter how well they played.
Your first point, didn't really work for Ireland under trap in the first few years when he was doing a half decent job playing terrible boring football. People went away in their droves.
Your second point is correct, but even that can only last so long before people get bored of that too. All that matters for Dundalk is to get through, and for a lot of people who will be going on Wednesday. But there is a sizeable amount who will want entertainment too - thats not a concern of Dundalks - and will be put off by a lack of it.
Success builds support and the best way to do that is to win this tie.Quote:
Originally Posted by GCdfc
9 seats available on Ticketmaster between four blocks 501, 502, 510, and 514.
EDIT: Block 516 gone on sale.
So why is the attendance at Oriel down? Apart from the u-12's who got free season tickets last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yossarian
I think there is a degree of complacency with regard to our home attendances. Some people seem to think that we would win the league easily this season. I agree with your point that attractive football may entice some new fans but if we don't go through there won't be any significant increase in our support. However if we manage to get into the group stages of the CL then the event junkies of the Irish sporting public will come out to watch us but only in the CL games.Quote:
Originally Posted by GCdfc
I disagree with your other point that we need to impress non LoI fans with a certain type of performance. I think winning this tie should be enough of an impression for us to make.
Managed to talk 3 others in to coming along to the match with me, looking forward to this, did not expect a crowd of this magnitude either.
Got a few of the last seats going in block 502. This could be very near a sellout.
I'm bringing a non LOI fan and his mate too.
Same here. Bringing a non LOI fan and might even convince one or two others before Wed.
I'm buzzing now. After initially thinking these Polish lot would do it comfortably after the draw, their current form and lack of goals in the side really do fill me with serious hope. Their entire goal-scoring threat is basically centred around their Hungarian striker Nikolics who isn't particularly fast or anything other than a bit of a poacher (he's bagged 4 in 4 so far and he's got a hell of a record in his career, mind) . It's on.
Has to be acknowledged Legia will be seriously up for this match; it's 20 years since a Polish side reached the Champions' League group stages, and they'll know they've got the easiest possible draw here. So very unlikely they'll take Dundalk at all lightly.
Got my tickets today for section 516, high up and behind the goal. Can't be many tickets left at this stage. Same to say I don't think many saw this coming.
Just tried and can't get a pair of tickets - offered a single one at back of 501
Looks like ticketmaster are acting the b0llocks about it. I doubt that all the upper tier is sold out.
Only 32 tickets on it. But quite a few pair behind the South end goals.Quote:
Originally Posted by refjohn
Was 1 seat in 516 there. Should have bought ages ago but had a bit of a family crisis (over now) distracting me.
They bet Dundalk 3/1 Draw 9/4 Legia 1/1
That evens is highly tempting.
Odds are exactly the same as they were for v BATE match in Tallaght.Quote:
Originally Posted by redarmyfaction
Posted by Dundalk FC on Facebook last night.
More tickets available on ticketmaster tomorrow, plus from Oriel Park. Also, tickets will be available on Wednesday night outside the stadium. #GreenArmyNeeded #BeThere
Dave McMillan interview on UEFA.com
This Brexit article has a funny conclusion
http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/h...muRZYA.twitterQuote:
Who cares about Brexit: Dundalk is flying in Europe
The Irish Examiner story by Kyran Fitzgerald paints a bright picture of Dundalk and it's one we should all pay attention to.
Mr Fitzgerald finishes by saying:
“Dundalk FC, with which the Malone family has been involved for generations, has shown the way. The area’s hardened businesspeople, too, seem to be up for the fight.”
Of course we are up for a fight.
We are in Europe, thanks to Stephen Kenny - not Enda Kenny - and all the squad at Dundalk FC and we'll be there for some time yet and the financiers can worry all they like.
We're in the money. Dundalk FC has restored a lot of pride.
We will never return to the bad old days. We'll have Brexit for breakfast.
C'mon the Town!
That article reads like it was written by a drunk lad down the pub who isn't really clear what point he's trying to make.
According to Mark McCadden on twitter 24000 tickets sold as of earlier today: https://twitter.com/markmccadden/sta...37056865001473
He is at Dundalk press conference.
I'd be disappointed with 24k at this stage but then again Ticketmaster seem to be doing everything possible not to sell tickets.
Jesus that's miles away from the 38k reported a few days ago.
It'd be hugely disappointing if it doesn't reach 30k at least.
The club never officially mentioned ticket sale figures. Even from the press conference today the club haven't posted it online yet. I wonder if Mark McCadden got the question answered officially.
Wasn't there 24k at Shels Vs Deportivo back in the day.
Maybe a figure between 24-30k isn't so terrible...
20K I thought
The question was put to Darren who was at the top table with Stephen Kenny and Stephen O'Donnell. He passed question to Colm who was sitting behind the journalists. He replied 24,00 as of this morning. That's official enough for me!Quote:
Originally Posted by GCdfc