Was disappointed when Andy Spain opted for Longford over Harps, but as the season went on, it definitely felt like we dodged a bullet on that one as he was awful for Longdord.
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Was disappointed when Andy Spain opted for Longford over Harps, but as the season went on, it definitely felt like we dodged a bullet on that one as he was awful for Longdord.
As pointed out, those exits are not as damaging as they might appear. I'd argue Athlone are still a basket case and should be firm favorites to finish bottom.
Athlone signed a player off us (Brian MacManus) which slightly surprised me to be honest. Purely based on that, I'm assuming they're less of a basket case than last year and I lifted them up to eighth or something. I wouldn't be reading too much into the predictions (though I appreciate it was just a general question)
They signed Brendan Clarke too. A new board of directors was elected with some unpopular characters no longer involved so maybe some of their exiled fans will return. I don't know the ins and outs of what has been going on there for the past 10 or 15 years though. I'd love to hear an Athlone fans opinion on all of this.
I'd just love to hear an Athlone fan.
Kind of fascinated by the situation in the midlands with Longford and Athlone. Would love to know why things have gone back so far particularly attendance wise, is it just how uncompetitive the sides have been ? How could things be turned around ? Heard huge amount of pessimism around the athlone situationQuote:
Originally Posted by Buckett
https://x.com/i/status/2021274467549278423 Speaking of Athlone, there's some attempt at transparency there. Hayden is gone and I know he's one that was strongly disliked by fams there. Could be all talk from them, time will tell
Ltfc train in Dublin unfortunately. So really the people that mouth off about ltfc aren't the local football community, they usually the local chipper community. Stacked of dubs with a full academy in Longford being shafted. The chipper community wouldn't understand that sort of thing as doesn't impact them. Jim Hanley owed a few hundred grand ,, I presume this is why he is hanging on he wants the cash back before he leaves. If an investor comes in otherwise will they have this debt? Hanley presumably knows nobody would agree to that! Funny thing is he throws away 400k plus performance related bonuses all for average dubs! 2 LTFC LOI winning u17 teams last few years, now zero in first team. 2 Longford players left squad this year. Dont see it changing until there's a new committee tbh or the fai have the balls to enforce their own licensing. There is possibility with Sport Ireland, Children’s Ombudsman, Judicial Review, UEFA, etc. Time will tell hopefully ltfc soon become more then a shell for average dubs! If the dubs want to play for ltfc the should be travelling to Longford.
I asked months ago i would like my account deleted please moderators. My view is well known. Mouthing off on foot.ie isn't going to change anything, ill leave that to the experts
Serious positivity around Athlone again about the club. The new ownership and board are doing Trojan work.
From increasing social media presence and content, getting players out visiting local schools, building relationships with local businesses and schoolboy clubs again, bringing in some really popular players of the past (such as Denis Clarke) as club ambassadors. Making club gear available for sale, I know it sounds like basic stuff, but it wasn't happening for near on 15-20 years in Athlone, football people driven away. Season ticket sales are way up on last 2 years.
Regardless of what happens on the pitch, affairs off it are more transparent and positive for the first time in a long time. And with 2 wins out of 2, hopefully we will have something to shout about on the pitch also.
How’s this going?Wouldn't have Jack Byrne back for free, no loss.
A??
Did any Rovers fans really say that?
Think he's addressing the Pats fans who generally said they wouldn't want to sign Byrne.Quote:
Originally Posted by sbgawa
Delighted he's back. He looks sharp and hungry so far. Loads of options now to compete with so he'll have to stay that way.
No, I was just poking a bit of fun at the daft stuff we fans come out with, it was WeAreRovers said it, page 1.
We all do it I’m sure, no harm.
Ah right. Look there's a few Rovers fans who would've felt the same. My take at the time was he should have been punished in some way but the risk was that he'd completely fall out with the team/club. I think Bradley managed it perfectly. Jack got some time to think. The team got to focus on winning the double. He's back and looks like he has a point to prove. We've a big squad though so time will tell if he's accepted that he isn't playing every week.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dermobohs
That was me alright, Jack is a squad player now and I’m happy to have him back but our squad is so strong now that we’d have been absolutely grand without him, which was my point.
No issues with him being back once his attitude is right but he’s nowhere near the vital cog he once was. Still better he’s at Rovers than Shels or wherever but I’d have happy enough too if he’d stayed in Dubai.
Very impressive squad at rovers now, the lad Brennan, allied to young noonan , have taken the eye particularly.
If sobowale comes in , who drops out?
Grant maybe?
Also I’m struggling to see how an aging Stephens fits in.
One thing Bradley is good at however is juggling a big squad.
Massively looking forward to the derby Friday, see how competitive we are really.
Pats Sligo and Derry didn’t even look like laying a glove on us. None played well though, or was it that Bohs pressure game worked? We’re about to find out !
Rovers typically play up to 60 games a year so squad rotation - starting tonight - will be key. Not a case of a first XI anymore. Danny Grant had a great game on Friday so certainly won't be 'dropped' but Sobowale may start tonight.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dermobohs
Enda Stephens came on as a late sub on Friday and I would see that as his role this season at LCB or LWB. Especially gratifying to see 4 teenagers play on Friday and all 4 of them did very well.
Everyone knows how well Brennan and Noonan did but Victor is a massive upgrade on McEneff and Cory O'Sullivan continues to impress albeit without the hype of the other kids in the squad.
Early days but I'd agree. Squad looks good. Have to remember a few will be gone in the summer tho. Victor obviously is a done deal but Noonan, Brennan, Max and possibly Cory might get interest. Remains to be seen if Greene and Gaffney have anything left to give. It's a big squad with an eye to the future I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dermobohs
Enda is there to cover Pico and Grace. Altho if he gets fit he obviously has the potential to dislodge one of the back 3. We will need them all if we go well in Europe.
Grant is one of the first names on the team sheet. Sobowale gives us another option, which we haven't really had in the past few seasons. It's usually been two proper wingbacks with someone like Cory or Matthews as the backup. Good players but more on the defensive side. Now we have Grant, Brennan and Sobowale who can all attack and defend.
Friday should be a cracker. You're in flying form. We looked good against Pats but are a bit behind in terms of sharpness. And I'm not sure Pats weren't just absolutely terrible.
We're even more f*ked than my original negative prediction. Definitely worried about where in the bottom half we might finish.
We’ll have a fair idea after this weekendQuote:
Originally Posted by desaintsno.12