Matchday 14

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Surprised McMillan hasn't really got a run out at Sligo or Dundalk yet. I know Dundalk in particular aren't exactly goal-shy, but someone who was among the top scorers in the league while with UCD would surely bag more than that with a better team. Though Killer hasn't really fulfilled his potential either, I guess.

Kenny has really only been playing one striker though, Byrne operates just behind Hoban and often assisting with MF. I don't think that's McMillans game, he's more a goal facing striker, so its really the system and the fact that Hoban is the no 1 striker that has limited his starts, but he has already got at least 4 league goals, and as many is other competitions and all the league goals are from the bench. He'll get his chance now in June.

McMillan got a few chances with us but just didn't take them. Missed penalty against Shams being the prime example. Missed a few one on ones as well with us. Would still have kept him on if possible all the same. He'd be a better option then Maguire.

Ha, a striker scoring goals off the bench! Imagine that. Imagine it Croly, just imagine it.

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Surprised McMillan hasn't really got a run out at Sligo or Dundalk yet. I know Dundalk in particular aren't exactly goal-shy, but someone who was among the top scorers in the league while with UCD would surely bag more than that with a better team. Though Killer hasn't really fulfilled his potential either, I guess.

His performances and finishing have been excellent. However, Kenny loves to play with a lone striker with three attacking midfielders pushing up behind. Hoban does this role perfectly. McMillan is a different player.

Personally, I think he and Hoban would be devastating if played together.

Shels -v- Galway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEyldqi9RmA

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Well, here's the goal (first one). Maybe it's just the slowest quick free kick ever. The ref definitely doesn't pace out the wall as he hasn't walked ten paces by the time he blows his whistle. Though maybe he just decided he was happy where the wall was?

It just seems to be neither one thing nor the other, and I'd be fairly sure that confused Cherrie to an extent. That shot shouldn't have beaten him ordinarily.

Nothing wrong with the way ref sorted that out, he probably was just satisfied that the wall was 10m away, doesn't have to pace it out and was happy to blow his whistle to get things moving. No law against that. Cherrie just tried to fool the free kick taker with his movement and got caught out by that excellent strike.
Mark it down as a well struck free kick which beat the goalie fair and square.

Ah now; it's fairly clear Cherrie was taken by surprise. His positioning was all wrong, I would imagine because he was waiting for the ref to confirm the wall's position. When our player starts his run, Cherrie goes back towards the side he should have been at. He's then wrong footed by Mulhall's clever free. But to say he tried to fool mulhall is nonsense

Waterford United win 1-0 v Shamrock Rovers B at Tallaght with a late goal from Conor Whittle in tonights only game.

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Ah now; it's fairly clear Cherrie was taken by surprise. His positioning was all wrong, I would imagine because he was waiting for the ref to confirm the wall's position. When our player starts his run, Cherrie goes back towards the side he should have been at. He's then wrong footed by Mulhall's clever free. But to say he tried to fool mulhall is nonsense

Yes he wasn't trying to fool anybody, that was me giving him some get out of jail card, that he clearly didn't deserve
If he was taken by surprise then that's his 100% responsibility, he should have been ready, the ref does not have to pace out the distance, in fact the ref didn't even have to blow his whistle which gave him some warning that he wasn't entitled to. The free taker can show that one to his grand kids.

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Ha, a striker scoring goals off the bench! Imagine that. Imagine it Croly, just imagine it.

I don't think he could Charlie, for starters he wouldn't know what to say post games on soccer rep if you had one, apart from thinking he is going to start on the wing next match.

Originally Posted by geysir

Yes he wasn't trying to fool anybody, that was me giving him some get out of jail card, that he clearly didn't deserve

Course it was...

I did a bit of googling on quick free kicks, as it's something which comes up every now and again (Liverpool v Newcastle last month, for example)

You can opt for a quick free kick unless there's an injury, the ref wants to book or send someone off or wants to talk to a player. If the exception proves the rule, it seems if the defending team has a sub waiting, that can't stop a quick free kick (unless, possibly, if it's for a player who has already come off injured).

For a slow free (also called a ceremonial free kick), the ref must stand in front of the ball, must indicate to wait for the whistle, must pace out the ten yards for the wall, must raise his arm to indicate a direct free (if appropriate) and must blow his whistle for the game to restart. None of that applies for a quick free kick.

Cherrie could claim to have picked up mixed signals from the ref, who maybe was walking away from the ball in a similar manner to how you'd mark out the ten yards, which would indicate that it absolutely isn't a quick free kick. But it's a bit of a stretch alright.

I still don't know why the referee whistled, unless it was to indicate for the "quick" free kick taker to hurry up, which I don't think the ref has a right to do. For Mulhall's part, he was sneakier than most quick free takers in that he waited for Cherrie to rush over to his uncovered side before sending the free back the other way.

For Dundalk's part, a man standing over the ball would have ruled out the chance of a quick free kick. Or you could put the ref in front of the ball, like this case. (15 seconds in)

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Surprised McMillan hasn't really got a run out at Sligo or Dundalk yet.

Baraclough playing him on the wing didn't help.

Funny; Russell used to play him on the wing too. Wasn't great there, but would score regularly when up front. Never understood that.

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

McMillan was Dundalk top scorer prior to Pat Hoban scoring twice against UCD. Thats despite his very limited game time

Despite his limited talents you mean. All his goals for Dundalk have been the last 1/2 in thumping wins. He's an OK LOI striker and is a decent finisher/striker. But Hoban to McMillan is a big drop off.

He scored once for Sligo (league) after his move there last season, so that might explain why he was let go

Originally Posted by poster

Baraclough playing him on the wing didn't help.

He missed plenty of chances when he played up front for us

Originally Posted by Nah Nah Nah Nah

He missed plenty of chances when he played up front for us

Yes, true. Wasn't trying to defend him.

Originally Posted by Nah Nah Nah Nah

He missed plenty of chances when he played up front for us

He had enough game time for us but didn't do a whole lot. He missed a brilliant opportunity against Molde during the Champions League game, put a header wide from the 6 yard box when it was nil nil in Norway.

And don't get me started on the missed penalty and one on one he missed against Shams!

Originally Posted by Dodge

Despite his limited talents you mean.

No - I have said what I mean very clearly.

Originally Posted by Dodge

All his goals for Dundalk have been the last 1/2 in thumping wins. He's an OK LOI striker and is a decent finisher/striker. But Hoban to McMillan is a big drop off.

In my opinion Hoban is a more effective centre forward and is arguably the best all-round No 9 in league currently.

According to stats by Conroy on Orielweb, in all competitive games up to 29 May McMillan had 8 goals in 1001 minutes played (1 goal per 125 mins). That compares with Hoban getting 7 goals in 1470 minutes (1 goal per 210 mins)

And that's fine if you think it's a good indicator of talent. 0 goals in his last 9 league starts is another stat. I know which one I think is more apt