European Qualifying 2013.

[Dodge]

I think Pats sounded too confident going into the game, I think they thought they had done all the hard work in Lithuainia and that Zalgiris hadn't anything more to offer. They were caught with their pants down. Another learning experience.

Looking forward to next year's comments on games you haven't seen already POS.

[paul_oshea]

I saw the first game. Not games then, game.

From that I got the idea that Pats felt they did enough and thought they would finish the job at home. Looks like I was right.

[Dodge]

I saw the first game. Not games then, game.

From that I got the idea that Pats felt they did enough and thought they would finish the job at home. Looks like I was right.

Your logic is bizarre to say the least.

[Dalymountrower]

ha ha, seriously ??? two sections of the stand and a third of the shed ? ridiculous !!

also, naieve tactics ? explain that one and what tactics you would have gone with ??

a few people seem like they are delighted to stick the boot in

Overlapping full backs pressing high up the pitch from the off. After the third or fourth Lithuanian breakaway, Buckley needed to change that around, but didn`t.
Pats needed to get comfortable in possession in the first half , get used to the unusual heat. A lot of the Pats players seemed to struggle with the pace of the game they set themselves.


I like Pats ( mostly ex Bohs players anyway !) and watch them play in European games when I can. I`m not putting the boot in desaint I just dont rate Buckley.

You have to agree though that the Lithuanian fans were amazing and had huge numbers. Clearly untapped potential, as I would say most of them are living here.

[desaintsno.12]

Overlapping full backs pressing high up the pitch from the off. After the third or fourth Lithuanian breakaway, Buckley needed to change that around, but didn`t.
Pats needed to get comfortable in possession in the first half , get used to the unusual heat. A lot of the Pats players seemed to struggle with the pace of the game they set themselves.


I like Pats ( mostly ex Bohs players anyway !) and watch them play in European games when I can. I`m not putting the boot in desaint I just dont rate Buckley.

You have to agree though that the Lithuanian fans were amazing and had huge numbers. Clearly untapped potential, as I would say most of them are living here.

we kept most of the possession in the first half which i think is the most logical approach.
i didnt see them struggling, just saw too many players having an off night and were passengers.

i agree they had great support and they added to the night, was delighted to see so many of them, but saying they out numbered us is ludicrous, it wasnt even remotely close!!

[Charlie Darwin]

He didn't say they outnumbered you.

I see.

It was like a home game for the Lithuanians, they must have outnumbered the Pats fans by three to one, the Pats support didnt get going until Killers peno.
Disappointing night, naieve tactics from Buckley.

[Acornvilla]

I see.

Ah that's miles further down! Didn't see it before hand was kind of skimming the shíte. My apologies.

[Closed Account 2]

This season doesnt look great, for the Europa league it's all on Derry to get past Trabzonspor, and the Turkish team are possibly the hardest team available at that stage (when you factor in the fact they were in the CL 2 seasons ago, also the heat and distance dont help). Drogheda would have had Hibs and Pats would have had Pyunik Yerevan, both probably a fair bit more winnable than Trabzonspor.

[Sheridan]

In the wake of last night's debacle in Inchicore, I think the league needs to institute new incentives for teams to excel in European football, via a domestic "coefficient" system. Victories in European competition should be rewarded with bonus points (up to a maximum of six) in the league. Admittedly this risks perpetuating the existing hierarchy within the league, but a bit of stability in our European qualifiers might not be such a bad thing. This system would also discourage clubs like Pat's from becoming blasé about European competition and prioritising the league.

[DannyInvincible]

In the wake of last night's debacle in Inchicore, I think the league needs to institute new incentives for teams to excel in European football, via a domestic "coefficient" system. Victories in European competition should be rewarded with bonus points (up to a maximum of six) in the league. Admittedly this risks perpetuating the existing hierarchy within the league, but a bit of stability in our European qualifiers might not be such a bad thing. This system would also discourage clubs like Pat's from becoming blasé about European competition and prioritising the league.

Isn't there enough incentive to excel already? In fact, such is the lucrative incentive on offer that clubs in the past have pushed way too far beyond their means (whilst also playing dangerously around the league rules) only to fail in making that coveted leap into the group stages.

I don't think it's correct to say that League of Ireland clubs approach European competition with a blasé, happy-go-lucky attitude anymore; after a promising first-leg performance, St. Pat's simply got complacent with regard to their opponents last night.

It's a bizarre and unfair proposal anyway; it would unfairly penalise clubs that failed to qualify for European competition and set them on a (potentially) uneven footing in the immediate season for their previous season's performance. A new season is a new season. And should the cup-winning European qualifier benefit from bonus league points too, or maybe they should enjoy byes through the cup rounds?...

[DannyInvincible]

First year since around 2002 I think that no Irish side will progress through even one round.

Don't fret just yet; don't one of Cliftonville or Celtic still have to go through?!

Ahem...

Linfield won't appreciate your implication!

[Nesta99]

In the wake of last night's debacle in Inchicore, I think the league needs to institute new incentives for teams to excel in European football, via a domestic "coefficient" system. Victories in European competition should be rewarded with bonus points (up to a maximum of six) in the league. Admittedly this risks perpetuating the existing hierarchy within the league, but a bit of stability in our European qualifiers might not be such a bad thing. This system would also discourage clubs like Pat's from becoming blasé about European competition and prioritising the league.

Are you for real? How about reasonable incentive for winning our domestic league with decent prize money first. Domestic co-efficient??? Ive heard it all now.......

[Charlie Darwin]

How about we just scrap the league and pool all our best players in the four European sides? Bonus payments and lashings of hot domestic co-efficient for all!

[peadar1987]

How about we just scrap the league and pool all our best players in the four European sides? Bonus payments and lashings of hot domestic co-efficient for all!

That's given me this really exciting and original idea. How about we get rid of the national league, and just have four provincial sides. You know, like in the rugby. Sure everyone would come and watch the league then, and we'd probably be bringing home a European trophy every other season.

[Charlie Darwin]

That's given me this really exciting and original idea. How about we get rid of the national league, and just have four provincial sides. You know, like in the rugby. Sure everyone would come and watch the league then, and we'd probably be bringing home a European trophy every other season.

We should get Scotland and Wales involved too and form some sort of "Celtic League".

[ArdeeBhoy]

Ahem...

Besides probably NB and possibly your brother, the vast majority of their fans would disagree...

That's given me this really exciting and original idea. How about we get rid of the national league, and just have four provincial sides. You know, like in the rugby. Sure everyone would come and watch the league then, and we'd probably be bringing home a European trophy every other season.

Well, they could barely do much worse...

[DannyInvincible]

That's given me this really exciting and original idea. How about we get rid of the national league, and just have four provincial sides. You know, like in the rugby.

Y'serious?! That's an awful idea. Given its size, Dublin should also have a proper team of its own; they could be called something really innovative and catchy, like the Dublin Dons.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

That's given me this really exciting and original idea. How about we get rid of the national league, and just have four provincial sides. You know, like in the rugby. Sure everyone would come and watch the league then, and we'd probably be bringing home a European trophy every other season.

Can we play in Drom?

[peadar1987]

Can we play in Drom?

Connacht would need a new 50,000 all-seater stadium. Probably in Termonbarry.

[thischarmingman]

I saw the first game. Not games then, game.

From that I got the idea that Pats felt they did enough and thought they would finish the job at home. Looks like I was right.

Ah, the less-spotted paul_oshea's annual trek north of the forum to pass verdict on the country's football clubs. It's been a pleasure, as always.

Waiting with baited breath for your expert analysis of Derry's defensive frailties in Trazbon.