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I wouldn't rule Dundalk, Derry or Bohs out of winning the Cup, 4th mightn't be enough for Europe this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalymountrower
Nice to win the 18 game title though. Hopefully we take advantage of the 2 Rovers being in Europe and end July a few points ahead on top.
Bohs can't defend, which is why we will end up mid-table. That Icelandic team will be licking their chops when they study the videos of us before the European game.
Besides that, it's great to see a 3 way tie at the top at this stage of the season. It's wide open.
If you sorted out your centre halves you'd win the league. Still think Bohs are the more dangerous going forward but Sligo aren't conceding much at all. They were the best defensive unit we've played whereas Bohs have been the most threatening for me. That's only on games against mind you. If Bolger and that back 4 at Sligo stay fit until the end they could do it but equally if Bohs could stop conceding they could do it. Or Pats might just have the right balance.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalymountrower
Great season for the neutral. I'm hating it.
I think a crucial period is ahead for us. If we bring in a few players then we have an opportunity to at least compete for the league for a while. The longer we stay in the hunt the more probable it becomes that we can reach our target of getting back into Europe.
We’re already without 2 of our back 4 with Buckley and McCourt out. Hopefully Buckley is back soon enough. Blayney had a bad day against Drogheda but isn’t a bad option but Buckley is such a great passer from the back. Donelon is an ok replacement for McCourt.
The frustrating thing is that for once Long has depth in the squad other than a CFQuote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
His insistence on not playing Levinston as Centre mid and continuing to play two tired under 21 's, Tierney and Devoy with good experienced options on the bench is baffling.
The absence of a defensive mid screen in front of the back 4 killed us against Sligo.
Long wont change so we will collate between 4-0 wins and soft defeats.
Ultimately league winners are boring and predictable, ekeing out narrow wins ruthlessly and managing games .Bohs aren't that team, Sligo aren't that team, Rovers and Pat's are closest to that profile
I had a nightmare a few weeks back that Bohs signed Bolger instead of Sligo. Terrifying.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalymountrower
Any idea what's up with Hery?
Other than wasnt fit, carrying an injury , no..Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
Would like to think he will be the number 10 for the second half of the season, and Mallon andevinson will feature more.But Kong is as stubborn as Bradley on player selection.
Interesting about Bolger, his ability as a footballer rather than an enforcer is being highlighted in Sligo, wouldn't have got into our side ahead of Buckley ffs.
Long not Kong,
Out of curiosity ... with 3 teams on the same points and the same GD. Would the Champions be decided by goals scored if that's how the table finished up at the end of the season??
Its mad how seasons can change in LOI. 18 games last season and there was a runaway leader, with the same games played this year its as tight as a duck's ar$e.
Normally it would be goals scored but if Rovers are involved we may have to let the FAI have another look at the rulebook as Pats currently have 30 and we only have 27 ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by redobit
Yeah, it's GD then GF. After that perhaps a repeat of the 92/93 season!
Nuts alright. Really disappointed the Rovers team of last year couldn't stick together this year but even if they had, I think it would be a closer run thing. Would've still fancied us to be well clear by the end but Pats and Sligo have come a long way. Just shows what a bit of consistency and a few good signings can do. Stephen O'Donnell under serious pressure last year and now...would any Pat's fan not want him to be there long term?Quote:
Originally Posted by redobit
Would you put Bolger down as the primary reason for Sligo clicking more this season redobit? Few other signings caught my eye but he seems like the driving force.
I think Bradley fancied you to be well clear too. Eye off the ball? Many commented on how quietly but solidly Sligo were going about transfer business (Letting Bolger leave was an error in he wake of losing other influential midfielders) and Pats needed a few key signings and time though could yet suffer from a lack of strength beyond 1st choice. Towell seemed like a late decision to shore up things at Tallaght, yet to see if it works out. Ye get the impression that Rovers fans question team selection.
We signed very well this season with Bolger, Gibson, Romeo, Walter, McCourt, Horgan and Blayney all in general making positive impressions. That never happens. Usually have a few duds each year. Then Mahon back from injury and Kenny and Byrne coming through it’s a much stronger squad. Still thought we were beginning to drop off but hopefully Saturdays win kicks us on again.
6 of the starting 11 came through the academy which is great to see. Buckley not afraid to give lads a chance.
Not sure on the first part. I don't think it's a lack of focus or a belief in the camp that we would stroll the league again. I think that if he's guilty of anything it's in believing he had a better chance of holding on the Byrne and McEneff than he did in reality. Maybe he had happy ears when Jack was saying he might stay. Maybe the McEneff interest heated up quite quickly and caught him off guard.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
I thought that when we lost them both, we might just be able to get by by spreading the creative workload of Jack and the box to box workload of McEneff across Finn, Watts, Mandroiu/Burke and O'Neill but that hasn't panned out. Finn and Watts haven't been available enough and O'Neill isn't the same player when McEneff isn't beside him. Add to that the signing of McCann not being up to scratch and we are where we are. If we can get Watts and Finn back in for the rest of the season and Towell is even 75% of the player he was previously we should still win the league I think. But it will be a slog and if I was a Pats or Sligo or Bohs fan I'd smell blood. Throw yourselves in the mix there if you get a result on Friday.
That's quality. How was the Sligo academy set up? Is it a partnership with local schoolboy clubs or it's own thing entirely? Don't know a thing about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nah Nah Nah Nah
Maybe SRFCII were actually Sligo but letting Shams take the heat lol. Not afraid to play youngsters that didnt have the possibility of a season in senior football prior.
Own thing as far as I’m aware. Trials at the start of the season from what I can see to get a panel at the younger levels. Haven’t heard of too much pushback from local clubs but not as big a business as it is in Dublin etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
Bolger has been immense for us since he came in, his performances and chipping in with the odd goal has made a huge difference. One thing that he has brought that we were missing was leadership on the pitch (something you could argue we havent really had since the Danny Ventre days). I dont know what his role might have been at Shamrock if he had stayed but he came here and was given the armband and is helping to guide the younger players. To answer your question, I think it might be a bit unfair to say he is the primary reason, obviously a huge part. Id agree with what NNNN said that we have signed well with no passengers plus there is a good team spirit. I can't see us winning it if im honest but looking forward to finding out.Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand