LOI Series 24 & 21

**nigel-harps1954** · 09/08/2013, 11:38 PM

On another note, if they'd won, we'd be 6 points behind them.

**sheao** · 09/08/2013, 11:44 PM

Huge win for City tonight. That is exactly what was needed to life the morale among everyone connected with city.

**Redzer** · 09/08/2013, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Two world class goals by Mark Forker

Ah come on now!!!! World class??? how do
You better get out more

**Charlie Darwin** · 10/08/2013, 12:00 AM

I've always defended Croly but he jumped the shark when he brought Billy Dennehy on as a target man with 15 minutes to go.

There is something very rotten at the core of the club and too many players are using it as an easy paycheck. I wouldn't mind seeing some of the lads who held up well against Villa start on Tuesday and let the rest enjoy their paychecks from the comfort of the bench until their contracts end.

**Charlie Darwin** · 10/08/2013, 12:17 AM

Did anybody get a good view of the sendings off? I was paying more attention to Flood than Foran for the first to know if there was much contact and O'Connor's seemed like he had a couple of covering players, but I can't really complain about either.

**Dodge** · 10/08/2013, 12:42 AM

Not a great view of the first but I did think at the time Foran pushed him. According to some he didn't touch him.

2nd one was a definite foul and O'Connor was last man but Forrester was still 30-40 yards from goal so I thought it was harsh (even if hilarious)

2nd pen was definite.

We should have had 2 more pens too with clear fouls on Russell and Flood. Sullivan very lucky not to be carded for tackle on Forrester too (after being booked for trying to point out the pen spot...)

**Charlie Darwin** · 10/08/2013, 12:54 AM

The first I didn't see but my instinct was that even if he wanted to, Foran doesn't have the pace to have gotten close enough to Flood to make any contact. It was a terrific save from Brush so I can only assume he was taken off for an injury.

The O'Connor one I saw but it looked like there were at least two covering defenders and, like you said, he was 40 yards from goal (the free-kick was taken from 5+ yards ahead of where the foul occurred). The second penalty I had looked away for so I only saw Forrester (I think) falling over. The other shouts I didn't see but by then all discipline was gone so I wouldn't be surprised if they were nailed on.

Sullivan seemed on a mission to get sent off - his yellow card was of the mind-numbing stupidity that got him sent off in a crucial match against Sligo a couple of years back. He's not captain material in any shape or form - terrific footballer on his day but another headcase. I was at a match with English cousins and after two had been sent off I said "we're not finished yet, there's still another couple of headers on the field."

I dread to see what kind of team Croly puts out for Sligo. Like I said above, I hope he puts out a couple of U19s and lets them prove themselves like they did against Villa. If only he hadn't in his infinite wisdom got rid of Shannon and Ebbe, this would be the perfect game for them.

**Charlie Darwin** · 10/08/2013, 1:53 AM

If Foran fouled him, he fouled him. None of this bull**** about two chances, if Flood was fouled he deserved a penalty if he didn't score. Foran could easily have not fouled him (assuming he did).

**dfx-** · 10/08/2013, 4:47 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

I've always defended Croly but he jumped the shark when he brought Billy Dennehy on as a target man with 15 minutes to go.

That's the least of the decisions worth criticising..

Bringing McCabe off to bring on Elebert was where he really lost it last night. Huge gap on the wing that was exploited at will, where Conan Byrne was already in control before that. Should've taken Finn (who was wasted as a water carrier for the remainder of the game) or Sheppard and go 4-4-1 instead of 4-3-1-1...try and stay in the game. His inability to react when the game changes is staggering.

Then there's..

why was Sullivan at centre half, why wasn't Elebert starting, why as Robinson captain, why not put Zayed on as someone to aim the ball at, why was Ryan starting in midfield instead of McCormack, why didn't they try keep the ball earlier than the last twenty minutes when the penny dropped that was the best form of defence..

Rovers got away with only four. If he tries to blame the penalties...

**Sligo Hoops.** · 10/08/2013, 8:28 AM

How are we better off than this time last year ? Out of contention for the league and for Europe unless we land the FAI cup, but it is 26 years since we last did that. It is embarrassing to watch Croly, out of his depth. The board grew fat on the success of 2011 and now cannot see the wood from the trees. "Pride in our past, faith in our future" ? I have no faith with these incumbents at the helm. The success of the past few years is being steadily eroded.

**oriel** · 10/08/2013, 9:34 AM

As said before, Croly is a very poor manager. When you sack someone, simple logic, have someone better lined up. This did not happen.

Worse, he clearly cannot manage the second most expensive squad in the league, doesn't know his best team, and appears to stick with dreadful performers. I have a rovers mate who uses the point of Shane Robinson, I only saw him play last friday and he was anonymous in oriel park, then again he wasn't alone.

Anyway back to the title contenders, I would say 70 points would be the target to win it. Obviously key games involving the top 4 will be significant to who gets to 70, we have Sligo at home next week, Pats have both us and Sligo at home, but I noticed Pats game in hand is away to Derry in early Sept.

**Sligo Hoops.** · 10/08/2013, 10:18 AM

I may be in a minority of Rovers supporters, but would be delighted for Kenny were Dundalk to lift title. He had to deal with the 2011 hangover but 2012 was always going to be a write off. It won't be the two fingers to Roche & co, but rather confirmation of his own ability. His MNS interview is testament to that. We don't have a God-given right to win the league every year, but surely we can expect more from this bunch of players ? S

**Dodge** · 10/08/2013, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Sullivan seemed on a mission to get sent off - his yellow card was of the mind-numbing stupidity that got him sent off in a crucial match against Sligo a couple of years back. He's not captain material in any shape or form - terrific footballer on his day but another headcase. I was at a match with English cousins and after two had been sent off I said "we're not finished yet, there's still another couple of headers on the field."

To get booked for something as stupid as that moments after your centre half partner gets sent off is pretty unforgivable IMO.

The 10 minutes or so around O'Connor's sending off and the 2nd penalty were the craziest I can remember in a while. There must have been 15 fouls or so from Rovers players. They had completely lost it.

5 sendings off in the last 4 games for Rovers now. 2 of them after the final whistle

**nigel-harps1954** · 10/08/2013, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Redzer

Ah come on now!!!! World class??? how do
You better get out more

Care to elaborate? Were both goals scored in EPL they'd be talked about for weeks.

**oriel** · 10/08/2013, 12:50 PM

Nigel, I think Redzer means this is the FD, where poorer defenders and keepers operate, hence more scope for good goals. I saw as much in the 7 awful years we had last time, sometimes a player could go on a mazy run, dribble past 3 or 4 players, then fire into the top corner. Not so easy doing this in PD.

I think we may have kept 2 players from the side that won the 2008 FD. The rest were nowhere near the standard. Most teams winning the FD would do the same, well possibly apart from UCD who seem to just re-energise themselves to get promoted. Possibly Derry were another recent example, then again they wouldn't have expected to be relegated after finishing 4th.

Point is, 'world class' is not a term associated with our FD, wouldn't even say the PD to be honest. Read in one of the papers Cherrie made a 'world class' save v Shels last night, good keeper, but he plays at LOI PD, not a top European league, think another example of an over reaction.

**White Horse** · 10/08/2013, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

Read in one of the papers Cherrie made a 'world class' save v Shels last night, good keeper, but he plays at LOI PD, not a top European league, think another example of an over reaction.

Cherrie is not a "world class" keeper. He plays in the LOI because parts of his game are poor; particularly his decision making when balls played behind the defense. However, his shot stopping ability is very good and the save referred to was as good as I've seen in any league.

**oriel** · 10/08/2013, 1:00 PM

Motion passed then. No more mentions of 'world class' in both divisions.

**dfx-** · 10/08/2013, 1:23 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

To get booked for something as stupid as that moments after your centre half partner gets sent off is pretty unforgivable IMO.

This is Sullivan who was booked when 4-0 up against Bray for dissent and had to be taken off when captain when 5-0 up against Bray to avoid being sent off for further dissent. It's remarkable how many different ways he can be booked..

**Dodge** · 10/08/2013, 2:35 PM

Originally Posted by dfx-

This is Sullivan who was booked when 4-0 up against Bray for dissent and had to be taken off when captain when 5-0 up against Bray to avoid being sent off for further dissent. It's remarkable how many different ways he can be booked..

Don't forget he was sent off for kiking the ball into the crowd and telling the 4th official to **** off when he questioned him about it...