Read during the week our starting 11 tonight is likely to have only 3 from the starting team from the start of last season with another three in the squad. The squad has improved greatly compared to the squad that fell 20+ points behind Galway. Don’t think there’s much between the bottom half to be honest. Don’t think any team will lose every other week. Going to be a competitive season.Quote:
Originally Posted by kksaints
Premier Division
1 Shamrock Rovers. Should be too strong for everyone although a lot will depend on how injury free Farrugia and Clarke stay as they're still very reliant on them.
2 St Patricks Athletic. I think we've enough to overtake Derry with our new signings. Think we lack the quality in one or two positions to really challenge Rovers tho.
3 Derry City. I'm not sure if they improved since last year with Hoban looking in decline last season imo. Kelly is good at his best but is inconsistent. Connolly is a year older aswell and he's a very important piece of their defence.
4 Shelbourne. Jarvis is a very important signing for them and they won't lose very often. But without Moylan I think they're attack is weaker and they will draw too many matches to really challenge for a top 3 finish.
5 Dundalk. Lots of unknowns here but if they click they could be a very dangerous side. However O'Donnells transfer record with players from the UK is inconsistent and the likes of Boyle and Benson need to improve on what they've shown last season.
6 Bohemians. Similar to Dundalk but their outgoings are more damaging with Afolabi a huge loss. Lack of depth in defence could be a problem also. Still think they will go through periods of good form and they've enough midfield quality so they will be nowhere near the relegation spots.
7 Drogheda. Keeley is a big loss but I think they should be solid enough to stay clear of the relegation spots. Pierrot and Kearney are intriguing signings plus they've done very well with their Lincoln loan signings the last few seasons.
8 Galway United. Dominant last season in the 1st division but their transfers haven't stood out and it remains to be seen how effective their style of player will be in the Premier Division.
9 Sligo Rovers. If Mata does rejoin they've a better chance of finishing higher up but bar McGinty it's a weak squad currently.
10 Waterford FC. Some useful signings but still a core of players there who were well behind Galway last season. Think it will be tight at the bottom but I'm not sure if Waterford have improved enough to avoid last.
First Division
1 Cork City. Only full time team and made some solid signings. Should be enough to win the league.
2 UCD. Always hard to know what you'll get from a relegated UCD side but I don't think the rest of the first division is that good so with the talent pool they usually have they should be enough for 2nd.
3 Athlone Town. Lots of unknowns especially with Pierrot gone. But they've kept some of their impressive players and the rest of the division is weak so that one or two good players in the inflow may be enough to get a playoff spot.
4 Wexford. Too many question marks over their defence for them for me to rank them higher but should make playoffs.
5 Treaty United. Usually in playoff contention and I think they've signed well enough to get there again.
6 Bray Wanderers. Defensively should be good but I don't think they'll score enough.
7 Longford Town. Similar to Bray but with even less quality.
8 Finn Harps. Last year was a disaster and they should be better this season but not enough to get into the playoffs. I don't think they'll be very much between 3rd and 9th so it could all be divided by a few points.
9th Cobh Ramblers. Excellent last season but some huge losses in the off season.
10 Kerry. Will be more competitive and will get more wins but hard to see them outside of last place.
WNL- Peamount were something of a surprise winner last season. I think Shamrock Rovers will push them much closer this time. Athlone and Wexford should be much better in the league this season so it should be a competitive title race.
First Manager Sacked- Divine
Top Scorer- Gaffney
FAI Cup- St Patricks
