League of Ireland in Europe 2017

In business terms we could also apply a risk RAG rating against each teams chances, I’d go with the following.

Cork - Green
Rovers - Amber
Dundalk - Amber (trending red!)
Derry – Red


Most, well maybe apart from Cork may need a further risk analysis rating applied after the first legs !

Ps I agree on the point on Icelandic teams, mid way though the first half in the second leg last season away, we were going out of Europe and no mistake, only for two away goals.

Given the draws we could have got, Stjarnan is a good one, but any game was going to be tough for us. If we can get a decent result away, who knows?

What's all this IF stuff Charlie ......believe

Our game against Levadia will be played in Parnu now as their stadium is unavailable on the Thursday. They tried to get us to switch legs or to bring the game forward to the Tuesday but we held out. Having to travel to Parnu is a bit tricky for fans but we'll get over it, has to be another small advantage for the team though, taking away their "home" advantage. I imagine this will mean the home crowd will be smaller too. Especially with kick off at local time of 6.30 pm

Hopefully Eir show a few games, because we know RTE wont

Rovers need every break going to justify having a bit of hope.
Dynamo Brest have just made a huge offer for Stjarnan's front man (also big), first offer rejected but his exit looks ominous.

the Danish league is fun. 14 teams. It splits into a championship round and a relegation round but the runners up of the two relegation groups qualify to a play off for the final Europa League spot (which our friends from Midtjylland managed to jus about do), instead of a Cup spot...
Not to start random discussions but makes for an interesting league structure and competition for places etc. Anyways all of this also to point out that Midtjylland may be head and shoulders above Irish clubs but they are still only the 4th choice from Denmark... rankings have BATE much higher by coefficient than Midtylland...while not what you'd want, familiar company like Malmo, Hertha Berlin & Partizan would suggest its not beyond the realm of possibility. plus season hasnt quite started?
Would people be more optimistic if Cork had drawn Midtylland or Dundalk last year...?

Do Midtylland still use the moneyball model?

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Do Midtylland still use the moneyball model?

The movie?

The movie was based on the book about Billy Beane and his analytical management at the Oaklands As. Midtjylland used analytics extensively especially in the few seasons up to winning the league in 2015. Not sure how much of a focus they have on it these days

Same process that Warburton used at Brentford, to get the bees promotion to championship.

Rasmus Ankersen is involved in both clubs and they have the same owner. Brentford are on their 4th manager mind since Warburton left in 2015. So ive probably answered my own question.

The league's finest silver Cork and Dundalk have demonstrated an ability to learn from better opponents they have come up against.

Dundalk's upward trajectory in Europe in recent years culminated in their progress to the EL Group stage. I'll be interested in seeing how Stephen Kenny gets on with a weaker hand. With his experience and that of players in the squad, it's not beyond Dundalk to get through.

Cork publicly will take things a round at a time. Just as Dundalk can upset their opponents, Cork's opponents will be aware of their threat and can cause an upset.

Privately the Cork management will be confident of setting up an encounter against Larnaka for a place in ELQ3.

I met a couple of Stjarnan fans at a kids coaching event today, naturally the conversation moved swiftly to Shamrock Rovers, are they any good? I felt compelled to disclose the truth, I said they're a bit like KR, living on past rep, have views above their current station, they think they're the bees knees, that Stjarnan will be easily swept aside, are looking to the 2nd round opponents already and even some Irish sports journalist kept referring to "St Jarnan".
What??
yeah, St Jarnan, they think you're a pub team or some catholic sect.
Apparently Stjarnan are putting in extra temp seats for the Rovers fans, I suggested a cage would be appropriate as it done in the LOI whenever Rovers are the away team.

But I had to stop there, just to let that sink in and being aware not to stampede across the lines of believability, the conversation then moved to the many current woes of Stjarnan (or St Jarnan to some).

Good to see you haven't lost your impartiality

Originally Posted by geysir

I met a couple of Stjarnan fans at a kids coaching event today, naturally the conversation moved swiftly to Shamrock Rovers, are they any good? I felt compelled to disclose the truth, I said they're a bit like KR, living on past rep, have views above their current station, they think they're the bees knees, that Stjarnan will be easily swept aside, are looking to the 2nd round opponents already and even some Irish sports journalist kept referring to "St Jarnan".
What??
yeah, St Jarnan, they think you're a pub team or some catholic sect.
Apparently Stjarnan are putting in extra temp seats for the Rovers fans, I suggested a cage would be appropriate as it done in the LOI whenever Rovers are the away team.

But I had to stop there, just to let that sink in and being aware not to stampede across the lines of believability, the conversation then moved to the many current woes of Stjarnan (or St Jarnan to some).

It was UEFA who called them St Jarnan in the draw. Some uninformed journalists obviously took that as gospel.

This lad won the thread.

Isnt that much to argue with in geysir's post really.

I guess so, maybe the spelling I hears a rumour their nickname is the saints.

Has there been any announcements on tv coverage?