Weekend games (30 April)

**poster** · 02/05/2010, 3:31 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

Sligo fans still going for that 3rd place finish ? Its a club I like, but the amount of cocky posts on here in Feb/Mar about such a high table finish was just incredible.

I wasn't part of this forum back then, but if I had been I definetly wouldn't have predicted a 3rd place finish. We're too weak at the back. Paul Whelan and Iarfliath Davoren are First Division players, Danny Ventre's a liability and Alan Keane is guarenteed to gift the opposition at least three chances a game. We're missing Almeida now for what looks like forever and he's a big loss. We have quality in attack with Ryan, Ndo, McCabe, Blinks, Amond and Dillon though. I see us finishing sixth at highest unless we sign a decent centre half.

Although I don't like to say it I really can't see Dundalk consistently holding a top 2/3 position.

**Ezeikial** · 02/05/2010, 4:21 PM

Originally Posted by poster

Although I don't like to say it I really can't see Dundalk consistently holding a top 2/3 position.

To be fair most Dundalk fans (including Oriel in the post you replied to) see it as being a tall task to retain a top 2/3 position to the end of the season. This is directly due to the absense of depth in the squad. The regular starting eleven can take on any team in the league, but with only Cawley, Mulvenna (both injured for most of the season to date) and Gregg the only ones with any real premier experience beyond that, it will be hard to overcome injuries and suspensions as they arise.

Foster and Hatswell have done a tremendous job to date and Dundalk have been playing great "on-the-ground" football . If we get some luck with injuries, suspensions and individual form a top three finish is a real possibility. The obvious alternative of adding two or three players to the squad would be great, but finances are unlikely to allow this.

**pineapple stu** · 02/05/2010, 4:37 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

There are a lot of new players in the squad and, as is often the case, it doesnt always work out as you want or as quickly as you'd like.

In fairness, Bohs are a full-time club two months into the season. I don't think the "They're still getting to know each other" excuse has any validity at this stage.

**The Betting Man** · 02/05/2010, 4:52 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

Maybe its time for everyone (myself included) to recognise what a quality side Fingal are. If they can build up their home support, they would be a good addition to the PD.

Didnt think they were impressive last Monday against us although we are the only team to have beaten them this season

**pineapple stu** · 02/05/2010, 4:58 PM

Weren't that impressive against us either. Excellent on paper, but don't play up to that at all.

**sligoman** · 02/05/2010, 5:02 PM

Any team that has Glen Crowe still starting aren't quality...

**Dodge** · 02/05/2010, 5:05 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

Maybe its time for everyone (myself included) to recognise what a quality side Fingal are. If they can build up their home support, they would be a good addition to the PD.

At least you included yoursef there. most people in this thread had them finishing in top 3.

Except you

Originally Posted by oriel

I`d do with

1. Bohs
2. Rovers (- 3 pts)

4. Dundalk

Hard to call the rest, def agree with Sligo/Pats all same standard as us, I just have a feeling Fingal will not deliver.

**pineapple stu** · 02/05/2010, 5:06 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Any team that has Glen Crowe still starting aren't quality...

Did he start against ye? I think when we played them a couple of weeks ago, he had yet to start. Was coming on as a sub mostentimes.

**Dodge** · 02/05/2010, 5:08 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Any team that has Glen Crowe still starting aren't quality...

He's only started three this season. He'd have at least that and more if he was with any club bar Bohs this season

**Lamper.sffc** · 02/05/2010, 7:18 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Weren't that impressive against us either. Excellent on paper, but don't play up to that at all.

One of our worst displays this season tbh.

Originally Posted by sligoman

Any team that has Glen Crowe still starting aren't quality...

So then, what would say about the team who got beat by the team who started Glen Crowe

Has only started two games bdw

Tbh its been very up and down so far this season. Some good displays and some bad. There are glimpses of what the team are capable of but I somtimes feel Buckley can be a little too negative. Needs to start playing with 2 up imo.

**oriel** · 02/05/2010, 7:55 PM

Yep - spot on Dodge, I`ll give you that one. Lamper decent article in Irish Mail today re SFFC.

**sligoman** · 02/05/2010, 7:59 PM

Originally Posted by Lamper.sffc

So then, what would say about the team who got beat by the team who started Glen Crowe

You weren't at the game...if you were, you'd have seen ye didn't deserve to win.

Originally Posted by Lamper.sffc

Needs to start playing with 2 up imo

He did last night anyway...that's if Crowe counts as being a striker

.

**Dodge** · 02/05/2010, 9:28 PM

They scored and kept a clean sheet. Of course they deserved to win. Posession and chances count for nothing

**Lamper.sffc** · 02/05/2010, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

You weren't at the game...if you were, you'd have seen ye didn't deserve to win.He did last night anyway...that's if Crowe counts as being a striker

.

Not really a reply to what i was getting at but anyway.

I wasnt at the game, your right. First game iv missed so far this season.
So from what your telling me we had two up front? Suprised if that was the case. Have nt gone with a 4-4-2 in god knows how long. Are you sure it wasnt just Crowe up front supported by conan on the right and Zayed on the left. That would be more in keeping with how we play and have been playing for well over a year now. Where did Mc Faul play out of interest.

**Lamper.sffc** · 02/05/2010, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

Yep - spot on Dodge, I`ll give you that one. Lamper decent article in Irish Mail today re SFFC.

Not a paper I tend to buy. Good article I hope.

**Magicme** · 03/05/2010, 1:23 AM

Well on the dance off scale: Mons 3-0 Mervue

OOOooooh yeah.

**oriel** · 03/05/2010, 9:00 AM

Lamps - The article paints a very progressive picture of the club.

**Terry** · 03/05/2010, 9:06 AM

Originally Posted by CSFShels

Poor oul Salthill ain't gonna finish this season. Wouldn't be surprised if Mervue folded too.

why would probably the 2 richest clubs in the LOI not make the end of season?

**showgies** · 03/05/2010, 9:38 AM

Originally Posted by Lamper.sffc

Not really a reply to what i was getting at but anyway.

I wasnt at the game, your right. First game iv missed so far this season.
So from what your telling me we had two up front? Suprised if that was the case. Have nt gone with a 4-4-2 in god knows how long. Are you sure it wasnt just Crowe up front supported by conan on the right and Zayed on the left. That would be more in keeping with how we play and have been playing for well over a year now. Where did Mc Faul play out of interest.

McFaul played in the middle of the park, Zayed did a lot of defending for a forward, practically played left back.

**White Horse** · 03/05/2010, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

To be fair most Dundalk fans (including Oriel in the post you replied to) see it as being a tall task to retain a top 2/3 position to the end of the season. This is directly due to the absense of depth in the squad. If we get some luck with injuries, suspensions and individual form a top three finish is a real possibility. The obvious alternative of adding two or three players to the squad would be great, but finances are unlikely to allow this.

LOI finances are a mystery to me. Dundalk have no real debt and have the second best attendances in the League.

Why is the budget so restricted? Is Dundalk the only team at the top of the league balancing their finances?