5th place play-off of sorts

**Longfordian** · 05/10/2011, 9:04 AM

Honestly don't know how exactly his wage situation works but from what I've heard there'll likely be less money coming in from Munnelly next year in general. A certain amount of Gillespie's wages are coming out of the original club budget I believe. We'll see I guess, a lot will depend on how much Cousins wants to keep him too. I wouldn't be averse to keeping him in the right circumstances either.

**L.T.F.C.** · 05/10/2011, 9:15 AM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

Honestly don't know how exactly his wage situation works but from what I've heard there'll likely be less money coming in from Munnelly next year in general. A certain amount of Gillespie's wages are coming out of the original club budget I believe. We'll see I guess, a lot will depend on how much Cousins wants to keep him too. I wouldn't be averse to keeping him in the right circumstances either.

I've heard that more money was going in!

**Longfordian** · 05/10/2011, 9:23 AM

Really? Could be the case, it would surprise me but I've only heard second hand reports to be honest. He's already paying a large amount relative to the value of what he gets out of it.

**Acornvilla** · 05/10/2011, 3:32 PM

Thing is he is also going to be what, 37 odd next season, so dunno how much use hes going to be after a few months break and being that age. Most importantly thou has anyone any idea if this question has been put to him or more importantly Tony yet?

**outspoken** · 05/10/2011, 6:41 PM

Well like the lads said it's much more important we keep the likes of dotsy and salmo, while it's great to say Keith Gillespie plays for us I'd much rather keep the current squad together and add some really quality up front for next season and in the back 4 too, next season can be our season without sounding cocky I say that.

**L.T.F.C.** · 05/10/2011, 6:44 PM

I hope it isn't. We're not ready.

**Longfordian** · 05/10/2011, 7:00 PM

I'd be happy enough to be challenging next season really. Improvement year on year is what we should be aiming for. If we did go up we'd struggle but to be honest I'm not sure when we'd be in a position to do anything else in the medium term whilst still operating on a sustainable budget. Promotion has to be the aim at some point though, the club isn't going to develop much outside the Premier Division.

**Martinho II** · 05/10/2011, 9:09 PM

I thought Munnelly was paying Gillespies wages if he played.. I wouldnt be surprised if he would be kept on especially if he has any tendencies towards coaching ,managin. I am pretty confident that he will be at the dinner dance as I believe he loves it down here.. we will soon know but it was very encouragin readin dotsy's interview as for the first time in seven long years a lot of players could be gettin into their third season with us . Its four years since a town player made over 100 appearances and that was Dessie Baker and Sean Prunty.

**Cabs88** · 05/10/2011, 9:20 PM

would I be right in saying gary cronin would have made more than 100 appearances this being his second stint with the club?! A last point on Gillespie is that I dont think I saw him at many (if any) of the games he was unavailable for... thats just an aside...

As mentioned above if we improve year on year we should be all pleased with that. I do think promotion should be the ultimate ambition and although we may not be ready for it financially, should we hold on to players and keep a sensible budget, a year in the premier would still be more lucrative than a year in the first division.. Who knows another Don might arrive and we make a bit of profit on him, and might keep the show on the road for another few weeks at a time. We just have to be glad there are clubs in a lot worse situations than we are at the moment.

**Martinho II** · 05/10/2011, 10:12 PM

no Gary Cronin definitely hasnt made 100 appearances Cabs.. Till the start of the season he had only made 62 appearances in his two spells.. This season is goin to be the first season that he played the majority of appearances as any other season he only had a bit part to say.. If he stays for next season he will definitely get it as I am not sure if Mick Lee will stay or not and he will find it hard to get his place back..

**L.T.F.C.** · 05/10/2011, 10:22 PM

We need another couple of seasons in the First Division. Maybe a proper cup run next season to encourage more people to come out. Then the following season we can really challenge with some more people paying in. With a good basis such as this, we would be a better option for sponsors and players.

**Macy** · 06/10/2011, 1:37 PM

I'd be hoping we'd be challenging next year, at least for a play off (assuming it's a similar system), given who's probably going up. 4th place (assuming 1 up, and 2-4 in the playoff), shouldn't be an unrealistic target.

**outspoken** · 06/10/2011, 5:59 PM

Originally Posted by L.T.F.C.

We need another couple of seasons in the First Division. Maybe a proper cup run next season to encourage more people to come out. Then the following season we can really challenge with some more people paying in. With a good basis such as this, we would be a better option for sponsors and players.

I wouldnt agree with that notion at all. I think the lads are right when they say 1 season in the Premier would be much better than one in the First Division. Yes we have a small budget and crap attendances but surely a promotion run would get a few more out and a promotion would have the same effects as a cup run in terms of attendances.

The only way for young players especially to develop is to play at a higher level so even if we went up and came straight back down with some heavy beatings it would only show the lads how much work we have to do to become just a midtable premier side so lets hope we get their sooner rather than later because one thing is for sure if we continue with the attendances of last saturday night we wont be going far.

**Acornvilla** · 07/10/2011, 3:10 PM

Originally Posted by L.T.F.C.

I've heard that more money was going in!

Just been told the same, and some other things.., (But i'm not telling till the club or someone else does!)

**L.T.F.C.** · 09/10/2011, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by outspoken

I wouldnt agree with that notion at all. I think the lads are right when they say 1 season in the Premier would be much better than one in the First Division. Yes we have a small budget and crap attendances but surely a promotion run would get a few more out and a promotion would have the same effects as a cup run in terms of attendances.

The only way for young players especially to develop is to play at a higher level so even if we went up and came straight back down with some heavy beatings it would only show the lads how much work we have to do to become just a midtable premier side so lets hope we get their sooner rather than later because one thing is for sure if we continue with the attendances of last saturday night we wont be going far.

How is one season in the Prem a better job than another season in the First, building up on a squad and re-building the fan base?
A season in the Premier would put us back down in the First Division for another four years. We neither have the money or players to last more than one season. We're running a stable club at the moment, and doing quite well in the division we're in. A decent promotion run next year, and a cup run, maybe getting to the semi-finals or something would bring more people out, get more money in and encouraging the players we want to stay.
Do you think the lads would stay after getting relegated? One player stayed after 07 and that was Daire Doyle.

**outspoken** · 09/10/2011, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by L.T.F.C.

How is one season in the Prem a better job than another season in the First, building up on a squad and re-building the fan base?
A season in the Premier would put us back down in the First Division for another four years. We neither have the money or players to last more than one season. We're running a stable club at the moment, and doing quite well in the division we're in. A decent promotion run next year, and
a cup run, maybe getting to the semi-finals or something would bring more people out, get more money in and encouraging the players we want to stay.
Do you think the lads would stay after getting relegated? One player stayed after 07 and that was Daire Doyle.

so what are you saying? TC should say to his players listen lads were not ready for premier division football so go out and get us into a promotion place and at the end wel give it to someone else?

Small successes such as cup runs and top half finishes are not enough to bring out the sunshiners, they will only come out for cup finals and promotion deciders.

Shamrock rovers, bohemians, Sligo rovers, st pats coming to town on a regular basis that is what brings the crowds out and you said players won't stay after a relegation but their hardly going to stay year after year with a midtable first division club.

**Macy** · 09/10/2011, 3:49 PM

Originally Posted by L.T.F.C.

How is one season in the Prem a better job than another season in the First, building up on a squad and re-building the fan base?
A season in the Premier would put us back down in the First Division for another four years. We neither have the money or players to last more than one season. We're running a stable club at the moment, and doing quite well in the division we're in. A decent promotion run next year, and a cup run, maybe getting to the semi-finals or something would bring more people out, get more money in and encouraging the players we want to stay.
Do you think the lads would stay after getting relegated? One player stayed after 07 and that was Daire Doyle.

Whilst accepting your caveat about a promotion run, without going up, I think it's very hard to genuinely build in the 1st. This season has been much more encouraging than the last few, and we struggled to 3 figures the last home game. I don't see why promotion, even if it turned out to be just one year, should effect the stability of the club. Once there's realistic expectations, there's no need to blow the budget or come down too hard on the manager/ players. What is a competitive budget nowadays is way less than it used to be, but once we are sensible there wouldn't be anything wrong with being something of a yo yo club for a few years. Whether we go up or not is a different matter, but that should be the amibition if we have a similar standard squad, and it could only be good for the club (with proper off field management).

**Longfordian** · 09/10/2011, 3:58 PM

Fully agree with all of that. There's been a lot of lessons learned as regards off the field matters since we were last up and I'd be confident they'd run things properly no matter what division we're in. As you say wages throughout the league are much lower. Cousins seems to have an eye for good, young players and I'd be confident that even if we ended up going down we wouldn't embarrass ourselves by any means.

**Martinho II** · 09/10/2011, 7:08 PM

Originally Posted by L.T.F.C.

One player stayed after 07 and that was Daire Doyle.

wrong. Seamus Kelly stayed on and so did Alan O 'Riordan plus Daire Doyle. I should know I have compiled all of the stats since 84-85 so I know what I am talking about!

**outspoken** · 09/10/2011, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

wrong. Seamus Kelly stayed on and so did Alan O 'Riordan plus Daire Doyle. I should know I have compiled all of the stats since 84-85 so I know what I am talking about!

Aye, your right there but Shay didn't last long after that unfortunately. We never really replaced him but I think this season we have been far more stable between the sticks than years gone by. I've been really impressed with Rouse in the last 3 games he looks really solid in terms if handling, catching, organisation and sweeping, his kicking would be his weakest attribute but he is improving on it.