Ouch !
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I would hope for the players sake he can turn things around, but its not looking good for Forrester, not only hasn't he played well since he came back, he probably hasn't played well for over a year now.
I think the 3 year contract was generous in the circumstances, plus I don't think either Dundalk or Rovers were too interested, possibly only inquired, Pats could have been his only offer?
That's the risk you take but at least there's some consistency. Would you prefer to finish 3rd one year and 5th the next or 4th twice is basically the question. Stability can be to an extent a bit more boring than stuff like Derrys rise and Corks fall this year but in terms of player and team development its far more beneficial. Yes you might end up with a player on a long term deal that doesn't work out but there's nothing stopping you offering him out for free so once his wages are reasonable there's just as much chance of him moving on and there's more chance of that player coming good staying at a club for more than a year than switching club every year.
Most years 4th gets European football too. And it's probably overall better for your budget with your attendances being less volatile, wage demands dont soar. Look at Cork and all the financial problems having European football only to lose it is causing already.
Dundalk saw him as a possible replacement for Finn and when a player of his undoubted pedigree you have to have a look, maybe his demands were high or they saw that he wasnt in a particularly good place but the interest became luke warm quickly. Certainly fans were enthusiastics about him possibly signing with a few losing the plot after missing out on McEneff also. Similar with Paddy McCourt training with Dundalk but they decided that it would just take too long to get his fitness to where it was expected to be for starters, and as fans we'd loved to have seen him play for us even toward the end of his playing days. It's an awful shame that Forresters playing career is being so badly effected by personal issues. He just doesnt seem in love with the game. That said from the observations from Pat's fans in general on here, they way they play is not going to suit his abilities. So possibly a few thing affecting his form.
Three wins and a draw this week, for the greater good and all that.
I have a bad feeling about Dundalk, conceding an early goal and then falling victim to a park the bus from Riga, and then getting caught on the counter for another goal. Hopefully I'm wrong about that.
I hope he picks Andy Boyle to start, the back 4 I think will cope best is Gannon-Boyle-Hoare-Massey, two changes from last Wed, with Cleary and Jarvis dropping out, but who knows what he'll go with. These 4 for me is the best chance of keeping a clean sheet.
Brian Garland was a sub last week and lost out to Andy Boyle in the half time change. That was the same day that his contract extension was announced. He is also club captain.
So while he is not an automatic first choice he is clearly a significant part of Vinny Perth's plans
I expect Jarvis, rather than Massey to start. If Dundalk are to push their full backs forward (which is essential to the way they play), they need good pace at the back to close down any counter attacks.
We saw how Rovers waltzed past Gartland, when Rogers was fortunate not to be sent off, a few weeks ago. Gartland has great qualities and will play a big part in the season, but he is rarely an automatic starter when playing against sides with a bit of pace.
TMS are into Round 2 of qualifying - Best of luck to Dundalk today!
Is this on RTE? I haven't seen anything so guessing no? Or any other channel?