Steaua v Shels 2nd Leg Official Thread

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Originally Posted by pete

I think Rosenborg got a new Manager this season...

Countries with 1 consistent League winner usually do better in Europe as the same team gets chance in CL every season. If the Norwegian league gets more competitive like the Swedish league they'll probably do worse in the CL.

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No sure about that. The money that Norwegian clubs can afford to pay players is pretty high due to the high cost and standard of living here. The government just announced a 36 billion dollar surplus for the year and Valerenga are playing to pretty decent crowds week in week out. They also have a Setanta style Scandinavian competition running between the top teams in Sweden and Denmark so I think the standard will probably increase a little. Valerenga have a good shot at making group stages this year (brugge I think) and should have the strength and experience from last year to win the league. Held Newcastle to a 1-1 draw here in the UEFA cup and should have won it.
I think a likely scenario is that Valerenga will now become the dominant team in Norway. Their location in Oslo has a bigger fan base and also is more attractive for sponsorship.

No, not Valerenga :eek: If RBK has to let go of the crown, the only team I really would like to see win it is Tromso, but as they've got no chance i'd be happy with Stavanger or Brann or Lyn or anyone but Valerenga... Too much rivalry with Rosenborg so rather see a small team win it. Then Valerenga can't enrichen itself and won't be a serious threat for RBK...

Ack, we'll take the crown back next year to where it belongs: Lerkendal ! :cool:




As for the Steaua-Shels game: gutted about the result, the only possible upside I can see is that I won't have to make any heartbreaking choice between Shels and Rosenborg.

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Originally Posted by TheOwl

I think he misses Alan Matthews/John McDonnell. It may be extremely harsh to suggest but Shels "slump" (if you can call it that) has come since Eamon Collins arrived at the club.

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Curses, you've spotted the Pats masterplan to bring Shels down from the inside by getting Eamon Collins to Tolka :D

Seriously though, I wonder if you have a point. Collins seriously mucked up Pats, after a half decent first season in charge.

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Originally Posted by TonyD

Curses, you've spotted the Pats masterplan to bring Shels down from the inside by getting Eamon Collins to Tolka :D

Seriously though, I wonder if you have a point. Collins seriously mucked up Pats, after a half decent first season in charge.

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I've often wondered what purpose the little twerp serves. Any time I see him he just jumps up and down going bright red on the touchline. Never seen him do anything or say anything that looked of benefit to anyone

I would happily get rid of Collins, I also can't see much of what he adds to the side. If at all possible get an assistant in from the continent who is experienced in the European game and could use that to help us.

now there is a good idea. getting someone in from the continent who has a good knowledge of the various teams in the Champions League qualifier, they way they play etc and the best way to go about playing them. An assistant manager so to speak.

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Originally Posted by Slash/ED

I also can't see much of what he adds to the side. .

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Well one thing is for sure; he is not there to try and calm things down. Absolute nutcase. :D :D

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Originally Posted by Vitruvian Man

Are there any Longford fans who want to call for Shels to be banned from representing the country in European football again. ;)

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To put things in perspective Longford disgraced Ireland two years running, Shels on the other hand shot themselves in the foot. However losing to the Champions of Romania a club which in previous times won the European Cup(1986) and reached a final(1989) is one thing. Losing a 2-0 lead by 4 goals to a team that came 6th in the Welsh league and were only in Europe cause they lost the Welsh Cup Final is another matter entirely!

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Originally Posted by Gerrit

n Valerenga can't enrichen itself and won't be a serious threat for RBK...

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as in ' a cigarette smuggling heart enrichens the smallest club'?

The most annoying thing is that if shels beat steaua they had a fantastic chance against Rosenborg. Although having said that if Rosenborg study the two games against shels it should be easy enough to pick out flaws in steaua. For one they are not very good under set pieces or high balls at the back and their main danger comes from the wings and diagonal ball.

Its a pity because it would finally make lazy arsed sky sports premiership loving 'fans' to sit up and take notice that an Irish team is good enough to make the CL group stages. Until then they dismiss their own league and throw on their EPL team jerseys in the pub. :mad:

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Originally Posted by elroy

For one they are not very good under set pieces or high balls at the back and their main danger comes from the wings and diagonal ball.

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Wasn't one of their defenders a third choice? Is that because of long term or short term injuries? Their defence may not be as bad at full strength. Plus that young fella on the left is pretty nifty.

With one of my two clubs out, all my hope rests on the shoulders of Rosenborg... But given our current form and given the fact Steaua didn't look like an easy-to-beat ones, my Champions League season could just as well be over by the end of the month :eek:

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I think eL sides need to learn that have to try to win home legs. When we sit back with 5 in midfield we are less effective. Cork City were just as guilty as Shels this season but at least had 2 nil lead.

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Pete what are you on about??

You always try twist anything around to have a go at Shels while saying Cork are so good, :(

You do realise that Shels already played Glentoran at home already in the Champions League? They attacked and scored 4 goals on the night ? You forget that!!

Cork should have done the same and won the home leg. When you get to teams such as Steaua and Depotivo etc you take anything you can get in terms of coefficient. Its picking up points in the early rounds against teams of our own ability that matters.

At least Cork had a 2-0 lead. What does that matter?

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Originally Posted by higgins

At least Cork had a 2-0 lead. What does that matter?

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It means that could afford to defend as would have to conceed 3 goals to lose. Similar to Shels defensive display at home to Icelanders last year as would win on away goals.

I like coefficients as much as any eL fan but Ricos job was to get to next round.

I have yet to read the thread so my apologies if my points are already posted....
Does anyone know why Fenlon picked Crowe upfront? IMO he offers very little, he is too slow to cause defences problems from long balls, does not take chances when they come his way and cannot create space or dribble past players whereas Jason Byrne can, but instead he is wasted in the centre of the park... Surely Byrne up front (Crowe on the bench) with an attacking midfielder like Ndo/Houlihan/Ryan pushing up would be better than byrne sitting in midfield not doing much with Crowe trying but failing in attack....(and I know that the above trio were lacking fitness etc but surely there's another midfielder Shels could've used like Crawford)

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Originally Posted by pete

I like coefficients as much as any eL fan but Ricos job was to get to next round.

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I have to agree, I can't understand people having a go at Cork for loseing 1-0 but ultimately progressing. Not good for the co-efficents but the priority is to progress.

If the priority is to progress then Cork winning the home leg would just about mean they will be seeded in the first round next season and therefore draw a team like Vaduz or Carmakers :)

Its not just about getting to the next round.

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Originally Posted by higgins

If the priority is to progress then Cork winning the home leg would just about mean they will be seeded in the first round next season and therefore draw a team like Vaduz or Carmakers :)

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Managers don't look that far ahead.