Does the success of one team in Europe benefit the league as a whole?

**mypost** · 03/12/2011, 9:06 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Yeah sure we just went to Ukraine for the cheap fags so Cook could sell them when he got back. Didn't try to win the game at all.

That's not what I said, or meant. That's your interpretation.

**dfx-** · 03/12/2011, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

Was the removal of Derry and Cork from the Premier a few seasons back a help for Rovers? I don't want to take away from Rovers success but I think the league was a bit easier following the demotion of both clubs for non-football reasons. We've seen Derry do well this year in their first season back in the Premier. I doubt Cork can have the same impact of Derry on their return but in the next few years they should be back challenging near the top.

While there is no doubt that not having Cork of 2005/2006/2007/Derry made it easier for Rovers - especially given Rovers' poor record in Cork - it can be argued that had both those clubs played by the rules instead, perhaps Rovers would've been able to negotiate them just as easily.

Originally Posted by Spudulika

As for how our league is reflected in the foreign media thanks to Rovers - we're actually mentioned! Here I've been reading and listening to almost all positive reports from media on how Rovers came and didn't just hang on for a draw, or how the fans kept supporting the team and how it's a good time for Irish football - Rovers and the LOI (including Pats) were even mentioned last night on Russia 1 during the draw for the Euro's, that wouldn't have been the case without this years improvements. It's now up to the other clubs to engage their fanbase to tap into the community for solid revenue streams. Next season I can see another club making the group stage.

Excellent news on the mentions, more important than the results. Great report in the Independent after the game about local Kazan children singing "Shamrock Rovers champions" outside the ground in broken English to fans with Rovers scarves or shirts. There's 20-30 Rovers scarves (including mine) left behind in new homes in Russia too

**Spudulika** · 04/12/2011, 6:54 AM

dfx- it'd be worthwhile someone from the club going through the local media - even with rough translations, as there are some gems to be found. From every single source there is praise for the Rovers fans and to be honest it made me a little proud when good friends of mine from a client club, FC Volga, travelled up to Kazan and spent their time enjoying the organic Irish singing (you probaby noticed how the Russians are the same as Italians and Spanish in being unable to follow a game on their own). http://news.yandex.ru/yandsearch?cl4..._3853414.shtml - This gives a rough idea of the online media after the match. And Football Club (weekly tv show) had a special on yesterday which I missed but I believe is going to be online today/tomorrow. One odd thing, or good thing, is that the owner of the only Irish pub (newly opened) in Ulyanovsk and long term sponsor of FC Volga was up with the group. He's Tatar, from Kazan, but in love with all things Irish and is learning English and Irish in order to head over. Though he does have an odd take on Ireland and the Irish.

One gripe I have about Rovers is in their preparation, it just seemed to be lacking and also in the players attire (indulge me one last time). After the 3rd or 4th goal I noticed a Rovers player cupping his hands and blowing into them. I blinked and noticed he wasn't wearing gloves, and there were a couple more at least the same. 1st - you HAVE to wear gloves in that weather, 2nd - blowing into your hands doesn't warm them up, it makes them damp and freezing. What in the name of god were the Rovers backroom staff doing to let players do that?

**mypost** · 04/12/2011, 7:01 AM

Apparantly, the players declined to wear them.

**bennocelt** · 04/12/2011, 8:06 AM

Real men dont wear gloves in a football match, please!

**El-Pietro** · 04/12/2011, 8:20 AM

Originally Posted by dfx-

While there is no doubt that not having Cork of 2005/2006/2007/Derry made it easier for Rovers - especially given Rovers' poor record in Cork - it can be argued that had both those clubs played by the rules instead, perhaps Rovers would've been able to negotiate them just as easily.

Sorry what rules did Cork City break again?

**Dodge** · 04/12/2011, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

Sorry what rules did Cork City break again?

Revenue's

**Spudulika** · 04/12/2011, 1:04 PM

Thanks mypost, and to a lesser extend bennocelt :-), seriously, what kind of idiot goes out in sub-zero temperatures with body parts exposed, surely the Rovers crew would have given the players a refresher course in having a brain and telling them to perform at their best they need to do x, y, z. Anyway, hopefully in the future it'll change.

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/12/2011, 2:39 PM

Originally Posted by Spudulika

Thanks mypost, and to a lesser extend bennocelt :-), seriously, what kind of idiot goes out in sub-zero temperatures with body parts exposed, surely the Rovers crew would have given the players a refresher course in having a brain and telling them to perform at their best they need to do x, y, z. Anyway, hopefully in the future it'll change.

Surely you haven't been away from Ireland so long you've forgotten that Irish men are prone to reckless and ultimately futile displays of masculinity?

**Spudulika** · 04/12/2011, 3:26 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Surely you haven't been away from Ireland so long you've forgotten that Irish men are prone to reckless and ultimately futile displays of masculinity?

Now hang on, there's being a lad and there's being a lad :-) I know you're slagging, but jaysus I mean, they're playing in a major continental competition, little things like this make a difference. Rovers have a good team, a good manager (who has impressed me more in Europe than in domestic competition) and I still feel Rubin were there for a shock. Though you know, evreybody here reckons Rovers will snatch a point from Spurs, even if they send their 1st team.

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/12/2011, 3:30 PM

I dunno man, remember the furore over snoods? I know they were banned because they're potentially dangerous but a lot of current and ex-pros were putting down the players who wore them, as if wanting to be warm was a sign of weakness. I agree it's unprofessional but I think where sort of 'manliness' is involved footballers at all levels are prone to doing stupid things like that.

**Spudulika** · 04/12/2011, 5:44 PM

:-) Charlie you're right. I suppose it's just a common thread in football - especially when the english lead is followed. I'd forgotten about snoods. Next year when an Irish team plays in the money round of Europe and players have extremities falling off with the cold, I hope they'll learn. Cannot take away from the conduct of the team and supporters, really did Ireland proud, not just the LOI.

**redobit** · 04/12/2011, 5:45 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

I dunno man, remember the furore over snoods? I know they were banned because they're potentially dangerous but a lot of current and ex-pros were putting down the players who wore them, as if wanting to be warm was a sign of weakness. I agree it's unprofessional but I think where sort of 'manliness' is involved footballers at all levels are prone to doing stupid things like that.

Here's a thought. youre a professinal athlete - run around for 90 minutes.

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/12/2011, 6:02 PM

I don't think you quite understand.

**peadar1987** · 04/12/2011, 6:13 PM

Originally Posted by redobit

Here's a thought. youre a professinal athlete - run around for 90 minutes.

Thank God the Nazis didn't know all you had to do to make the Russian winter a breeze was to run around a bit!

**dfx-** · 04/12/2011, 6:28 PM

Originally Posted by Spudulika

One gripe I have about Rovers is in their preparation, it just seemed to be lacking and also in the players attire (indulge me one last time). After the 3rd or 4th goal I noticed a Rovers player cupping his hands and blowing into them. I blinked and noticed he wasn't wearing gloves, and there were a couple more at least the same. 1st - you HAVE to wear gloves in that weather, 2nd - blowing into your hands doesn't warm them up, it makes them damp and freezing. What in the name of god were the Rovers backroom staff doing to let players do that?

It was only Murray and Rice who weren't wearing gloves. You lose most of your heat through your head, so really you have to wear a hat to keep warm.

**A N Mouse** · 05/12/2011, 3:59 PM

Originally Posted by dfx-

It was only Murray and Rice who weren't wearing gloves. You lose most of your heat through your head, so really you have to wear a hat to keep warm.

Nonsense

**marinobohs** · 06/12/2011, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by peadar1987

.....Shamrock Rovers fans en route to Europa Lge game. Still not convinced about "My Post" suggested short cut

**dfx-** · 06/12/2011, 2:19 PM

Originally Posted by marinobohs

.....Shamrock Rovers fans en route to Europa Lge game. Still not convinced about "My Post" suggested short cut

What was most unsettling was the 95 minute processing time from plane to the 'terminal' in Kazan. Lucky Sligo fans don't visit there 6 times a season, being used to five minutes in Dublin..