Derry City - The Season so Far

taken from http://myirishfootballblog.blogspot.com/


2007 marks a new era for Derry City FC. The reign of the flawless Stephen Kenny ended late last season, and he was replaced by the most successful manager in Irish soccer, Pat Fenlon. Fenlon, despite his reputation has had a tough act to follow and the Brandywell faithful expect the ex-Shels manager to take the Candystripes a step further and to lead them to the Eircom League Championship; and with only three games gone a lot of controversy has surrounded the club’s start.

Fenlon got off to a great start with a 1-0 Setanta Cup victory against Glentoran at the Oval, before starting the league campaign with a 1-0 home win to Bray. Derry went on to draw with Drogheda, before recording a quality away win to Sligo Rovers, a place where the Candystripes failed to win at in two attempts last season. Sensationally, Derry’s next two games have caused an array of unrest amongst the fans with two defeats away to Linfield and at home to fellow title contenders St.Patrick’s in the space of four days. Derry’s home draw to Linfield on Monday last night was not enough to rectify the team’s position amongst fans and surprisingly unrest continues amongst supporters, despite an impressive performance.

It is definitely surprising that the Brandywell faithful have shown disapproval at the team’s start. A lot of fans are willing to give Fenlon a chance, though some are already very sceptical. Few fail to realise that Pat is only after inheriting a new squad of players. It does take time to find a team and a system that works for him.Fenlon and Kenny are different men,and it is important that the new manager is allowed to direct his own influence on his new squad. Fenlon has tinkered with the team on a number of occasions, and a man with his track record will get things right in time.

It is worth looking at Derry City’s start to last season under Stephen Kenny. Last season was one of the most successful in the club’s history, yet many forget that Stephen Kenny endured a shaky start in hindsight, and alook at the form guide below is testament to this.

2007: WWDWLLD
2006: DDWWLLW

More or less identical! It hasn’t been an ideal start for Fenlon’s men, but it’s been a decent start, a start that Derry City can and should build on.


http://myirishfootballblog.blogspot....on-so-far.html

A bit of realism in that blog posting. Doomsayers in Derry are being a bit premature. It will take a while for the new players to blend in, plus losing Ciaran Martyn is something that was not on the horizon before the transfer window closed so that may need addressing in June/July.