Who will win the 1st division

**Rovers1** · 19/05/2009, 1:07 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

while Fingal lose at home to the lowlier Sligo. .

we're not lowlier, were just biding our time

**Schumi** · 19/05/2009, 2:58 PM

Originally Posted by Rovers1

we're not lowlier, were just biding our time

We tried that last year, didn't work too well.

**CSFShels** · 19/05/2009, 6:21 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

That's a fair enough point alright. I'd worry (well, hope

) that your relative lack of goals would mean that a game you could have won 1-0 will end up 0-0, and you'll drop a few points that way.

Last night's results in Galway and Morton adds a bit more to this thread, I think. UCD, bringing on pretty much our subs bench from Friday, beat a full strength (and ten-man) Galway away, while Fingal lose at home to the lowlier Sligo. I think our League Cup run should answer any doubts as to our strength in depth, to be honest.

We weren't big scorers last year either and we finished marginally behind a Dundalk side who I'd have rated higher than the 3 teams we're up against here. Obviously not Fingal on paper, but I don't think Buckley is very good to be honest. And we're yet to play out a nil nil so far haha. We've scored in every game in every competition except against Fingal, where we did infact also score a perfectly good goal which was ruled out. We're not going to spend the season beating teams 4 and 5 nil I doubt. We're going to grind out tonnes of one goal victories and I'd imagine that'll put us above all but one come the end of the season.

**Hairy Bowsie** · 19/05/2009, 6:31 PM

I think Shels will finish 3rd, behind UCD and Fingal.

**Lamper.sffc** · 19/05/2009, 6:49 PM

Originally Posted by CSFShels

We weren't big scorers last year either and we finished marginally behind a Dundalk side who I'd have rated higher than the 3 teams we're up against here. Obviously not Fingal on paper, but I don't think Buckley is very good to be honest. And we're yet to play out a nil nil so far haha. We've scored in every game in every competition except against Fingal, where we did infact also score a perfectly good goal which was ruled out. We're not going to spend the season beating teams 4 and 5 nil I doubt. We're going to grind out tonnes of one goal victories and I'd imagine that'll put us above all but one come the end of the season.

Where have I heard these points before. I wonder

**CSFShels** · 19/05/2009, 8:10 PM

Originally Posted by Lamper.sffc

Where have I heard these points before. I wonder

What is your obsession with the fact that I post on another forum too?

**ConfusedBlue** · 19/05/2009, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by CSFShels

Waterford I'd say most would also argue, do not really have the quality to compete when the going gets tough. They fell apart when it counted last season, and I'd bet on them doing it again. They haven't picked up a win against any of the top sides this year, and barely managed it last year, when the crunch games come up towards the end of the season, they'll probably be found wanting. Similar comparisons could be made about Shels to an extent, but not to the same level. When the going gets tough, we'll start to show our class, like we did with our ridiculous run coming towards the end of last season. You'd expect Shels to show their superior class towards the end of the season. And with the **** poor crowds they're getting, do not rule out another financial crisis. 3 sponsorship or not.

Waterfords squad last year was arguably a better squad quality wise,big difference this year is that we actually have a manager who has belief in his players being able to actually play some football.This is the first season in I dont know how long that a Blues side has got the ball down and tried to play.
We're going to be there or there about come the end of the season.We haven't lost any ground on teams around us,if we draw every game against the top3 from here on in happy days as it means we're in with a shout of promotion.Injuries could cripple us but the way we're playing at the minute,only a madman would bet against us gaining promotion!!!!!!!!

**Lamper.sffc** · 19/05/2009, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by CSFShels

What is your obsession with the fact that I post on another forum too?

None. just taking the p*ss. Relax.
Wasnt a hundred percent sure. Take a chill pill

**Lamper.sffc** · 19/05/2009, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by ConfusedBlue

Waterfords squad last year was arguably a better squad quality wise,big difference this year is that we actually have a manager who has belief in his players being able to actually play some football.This is the first season in I dont know how long that a Blues side has got the ball down and tried to play.
We're going to be there or there about come the end of the season.We haven't lost any ground on teams around us,if we draw every game against the top3 from here on in happy days as it means we're in with a shout of promotion.Injuries could cripple us but the way we're playing at the minute,only a madman would bet against us gaining promotion!!!!!!!!

When it comes to yous and Ucd there is a lot to be said for a good manager and good team spirit. It can go a lot further than money can to be fair. There are other reasons yous both might not make it, that have already been mentioned but you have the shels and ourselves a lot more worried than we where at the beginning of the season.

**Dick Long** · 19/05/2009, 11:10 PM

Waterford have just played UCD away and our next two away fixtures are against Fingal and Shels (with Wexford's visit in betwen), so there's a good chance those people who are using the can't-beat-teams-around-them reason will have further ammunition, considering we would probably take two more away draws but our other meetings with Fingal and Shels were in the first and third games of the season with a new manager and half a new squad still getting to know each other.

I think if we can hang in there in the meantime and our admittedly very disappointing crowds (400ish) can improve then the consensus is that the Management Committe will find the funds to add another two or three players come the transfer window and if they come off it might give the Blues the impetus to be right in there at the death. There are lot more out there but even a realistic 50 or so more paying at the gate for starters would make a big difference and hopefully the win against Rovers tonight in the League Cup might be a turning point on that front.

**Lamper.sffc** · 19/05/2009, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by Dick Long

our other meetings with Fingal and Shels were in the first and third games of the season with a new manager and half a new squad still getting to know each other.

In fairness while it wasnt a new manager involved with us we had a new team trying to gel also. A more true reflection of all the teams will come in the second phase of games. Also a pretty hard group of games coming up for yous.

**corkboy360** · 19/05/2009, 11:59 PM

Unforunately it will be no fans college coming up

NFCD

**Dick Long** · 20/05/2009, 12:00 AM

It's true the next few games will be tough and chances are that some ground will be lost, but then again - before the visit of UCD at the end of the second phase - there are 7 winnable games to catch it back up again, ON PAPER possibly a bit easier on the whole (with no trips to Limerick, Athlone or far away Harps) than the reverse version which were all won in the 1st phase...

Athlone Town (h)
Longford Town (a)
Finn Harps (h)
Monaghan United (a)
Limerick FC (h)
Mervue United (a)
Kildare County (a)

**shep** · 20/05/2009, 9:10 AM

I think UCD will win it,with a real scramble between Shels Fingal and Waterford for the chance to play the premier losers.

For the last 4 years now the 1st Division its been real competitive and enthralling(and heartbreaking) for the fans involved.Part of me would like to see Shels go up.

**Lamper.sffc** · 20/05/2009, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by shep

I think UCD will win it,with a real scramble between Shels Fingal and Waterford for the chance to play the premier losers.

For the last 4 years now the 1st Division its been real competitive and enthralling(and heartbreaking) for the fans involved.Part of me would like to see Shels go up.

I think no team deserves a place in the premier but i can understand why you would want shels up. Makes for better games. Bigger crowds and i would think the grudge between clubs and shels would be great so in turn makes for a better match.

**RoversHead** · 20/05/2009, 2:10 PM

Waterford with a bit of luck.Good away trip and a great aul club imo.

**cheech** · 20/05/2009, 6:50 PM

Harps will make the playoff. Mark my words. New manager and new players coming in July. If Harps can pick up points between now and then they may even nick it from Waterford.

**passerrby** · 20/05/2009, 9:51 PM

Originally Posted by cheech

Harps will make the playoff. Mark my words. New manager and new players coming in July. If Harps can pick up points between now and then they may even nick it from Waterford.

Kildare will make the playoff. mark my words. new manager and new players coming in july. if kildare pick up points between now and then they may even nick it from waterford...

well he started it

**corkharps** · 20/05/2009, 10:54 PM

20th of May. Resting next to bottom of League. Finn Harps will rise like the pensioner on viagra and finish second to Waterford!

**Schumi** · 20/05/2009, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by cheech

Harps will make the playoff. Mark my words. New manager and new players coming in July. If Harps can pick up points between now and then they may even nick it from Waterford.

The play off with the A League team?