askmehoop, I've been critical of the way in which MON had/has Rovers playing. If it was my side I'd just be happy they're winning, so I can just shut up about style etc. However I'd like to see Rovers open up and play when they're up a goal or two, they have a great squad and can just destroy teams. But again, if my side were winning 1-0 and just lumping the ball forward and closing down the opposition, so what. Two of the greatest Ireland matches in my experience were the 1-0 in Stuttgart in 1988 and the 0-0 in Moscow this year. We didn't lose and it was edge of the seat stuff, MON doesn't do edge of seat experience, he gets his sides playing winning football. And it's successful and you're right, that's all that matters.
Who did you play 20 games more than this year?
9 european games (before league finished), 4 FAI Cup, 1 league cup, 5 Setanta Cup games, 2 Leinster Senior Cup? So a total of 21 cup games
Pats (not a title rival but indulge me...) had 6 European games, 5 FAI Cup games, 2 league cup games, 2 Setanta and 5 Leinster Senior. Thats 20
Sligo had 2 European games, 6 FAI Cup games, 3 League cup and 4 Setanta. So 15.
Derry, least games of all, but they had 1 FAI Cup and 6 league cup fixtures.
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There's absolutely no way either of your games against the Estonians was any more taxing than a single cup game played by anyone else.
But thats not the point. No one disgarees that its been a long season for Rovers, but playing 6 more games than Sligo (of which 3 were your complete reserve team) isn't something that should effect results
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Slightly disagree there Dodge, you haven't put in the travel factor. They're part time players (unless something changed) so you've also got the recovery factor. Plus eyes were cast towards Europe and concentration lost a little on the home front.
Look there's loads of factors. IF we bring travel into it, Sligo and Derry have far more travel within Ireland.
it is not a valid reason for effecting a seasons results
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I think just Rice of the first team squad has a day job. The others like Flynn and Kavanagh were fringe players. However the players don't train to the same intensity as a full-time side would, even if the players don't have other jobs.
So really, apart from Rice (who imo has been your best player this year) and the fringe lads yer full time?
In terms of it being the players' only job, yeah. That doesn't mean they'd be on the same level of fitness/professionalism as equivalent teams in England/Scotland, or even the likes of Fenlon's Bohs and Shels sides.
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Take out the estonians, who had 7 internationals btw. Copenhagen, Belgrade, Spurs, PAOK and Rublin, and as spudulika pointed out the travelling. Like it or not dodge it has been a far more physically draining season for Rovers, either way we won the league so i dont give a bo**ox what people think.
Fair enough, but it does have its positive aspects imo, it shows the top players in the league that we will be at least in contention for their signatures and it tells the fans that we still have aspirations of winning the league and hopefully a spin off effect of more season tickets, more membership, better sponsorship deals etc.
This seasons budget has not been disclosed yet but it will as it is always done for the members.
But last seasons budget was revealed and there was a thread on here after it was disclosed, have a look around if you want but I really couldnt be arsed.
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