Fixtures- April 22nd/23rd/25th

**Ezeikial** · 01/05/2016, 8:53 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Guys like Massey and Boyle would fit into the same category.

Watching the Troglodytes has clearly affected your judgement or sanity

**mcgonigle** · 02/05/2016, 7:46 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Guys like Massey and Boyle would fit into the same category.

I think Boyle is the best defender in the league myself

**White Horse** · 02/05/2016, 7:54 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Guys like Massey and Boyle would fit into the same category.

"Maximising their talent through hard work". I agree.

"Least talented on the pitch"? I doubt you are saying that about Massey or Boyle.

**Charlie Darwin** · 02/05/2016, 11:33 PM

Well I meant that about Shields. Maximising their talent was about Boyle and Massey, neither of whom would be the most naturally talented around, as opposed to the likes of Horgan and O'Donnell who are naturals. It's a compliment.

**placid casual** · 03/05/2016, 8:57 PM

Jesus wept, some of the you Dundalk fans could do with a bit of perspective. You have a couple of decent players, a few fair to middling players , and a few clogger's. Saying they are all the best in the league is not as big an achievement as you seem to believe ,when by common consent the league is of an exceptionally poor standard at present.

**Ezeikial** · 03/05/2016, 9:12 PM

Originally Posted by placid casual

Jesus wept, some of the you Dundalk fans could do with a bit of perspective. You have a couple of decent players, a few fair to middling players , and a few clogger's. Saying they are all the best in the league is not as big an achievement as you seem to believe ,when by common consent the league is of an exceptionally poor standard at present.

I can't resist - I'd love to know which players fall into what categories!

**Louth4sam** · 03/05/2016, 9:41 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Massey, neither of whom would be the most naturally talented around,

Massey has played futsal internationally for Ireland. Very very skillful player.

**Dodge** · 03/05/2016, 9:51 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Massey has played futsal internationally for Ireland. Very very skillful player.

I like Massey but saying he's played futsal for Ireland therefore he must be very skilful is hilarious

**Louth4sam** · 03/05/2016, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

I like Massey but saying he's played futsal for Ireland therefore he must be very skilful is hilarious

Ah here, I was giving that as an example. Futsal is a sport based on dribbling and ball control. Would a hard working player as Massey has been described fit into that category?

I have seen Massey play for past three seasons. I think I'm a better judge of his skill levels than opposition fans that see him a couple of games a season. Massey is one of the most skillful players in the Dundalk team. The defensive side of his game has been his major weakness but he has improved himself greatly.

**Charlie Darwin** · 03/05/2016, 10:15 PM

I'm not saying any of the players aren't talented, just that some are clearly naturally adept. I doubt Brian Gartland would get into the Ireland futsal team but he's clearly a very natural footballer, whereas for somebody like Shields or, yes, Massey I reckon it doesn't come quite as easily. I didn't mention anything about skills or ball control. That's all I meant and I wasn't expecting it to turn into such a rigmarole.

**dundalkfc10** · 04/05/2016, 7:49 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

I'm not saying any of the players aren't talented, just that some are clearly naturally adept. I doubt Brian Gartland would get into the Ireland futsal team but he's clearly a very natural footballer, whereas for somebody like Shields or, yes, Massey I reckon it doesn't come quite as easily. I didn't mention anything about skills or ball control. That's all I meant and I wasn't expecting it to turn into such a rigmarole.

Gartland is probably our worst player on the ball that we have!

**Dodge** · 04/05/2016, 8:58 AM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Ah here, I was giving that as an example. Futsal is a sport based on dribbling and ball control. Would a hard working player as Massey has been described fit into that category?

I know lads who've played futsal for Ireland and they wouldn't play in the top tier of the LSL. The amount of people who play futsal here is tiny so it's no indicator of anything

And again, I like Massey. I was just saying the futsal thing means nothing at all

I can only suspect Charlie has mixed up his centre halves if he thinks Gartland is a better footballer than Boyle

**osarusan** · 04/05/2016, 9:15 AM

Howie King once played beach football for Ireland.

Howie king was also once described by the Star as a 'towering hitman'.

G'wan Howie!

**Nesta99** · 04/05/2016, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by placid casual

Jesus wept, some of the you Dundalk fans could do with a bit of perspective. You have a couple of decent players, a few fair to middling players , and a few clogger's. Saying they are all the best in the league is not as big an achievement as you seem to believe ,when by common consent the league is of an exceptionally poor standard at present.

This old 'league is at its lowest standard but it was a higher standard when we were last champions' nugget. I think the league was exceptionally poor throughout the 1980s (except 81/82 and 87/88) it was totally pathetic 90s (except 90/91 and 94/95)! As said before I hope the standard remains as you say exceptionally poor as long as Dundalk dominate in to the next decade!

The PFAI TOTY I find is a good benchmark for players' standing in the league and among their fellow players. The 2015 team would be strengthened by the inclusion of Finn, McEleney will be there in 2016 if he gets an injury free run. Shields wasn't included yet was outstanding at important times last season. Lack of a ruthless striker is still an issue and could result in the league being a closer contest than it would otherwise. Rogers is finally shaking off the calamity waiting to happen feeling so could get in the 2016 side. Meenan and Mountney are by no means beyond a team of the year shout but their battle for a starting berth with each other and the reduced number of games it causes would see them out of contention. Then you have the back 4 who were all included 2015 and as currently the team that has conceded least would be a good bet for being the top back in the league again.