How could his actions be seen as NOT contributing to what happened ?
Up until Friday evening I was of the opinion that Rovers fans were deluding themselves that Bradley was progressing with his team. Not doing badly but not much in the way of improving year on year and certainly not heading to the level the board would want and need ie European qualification and the revenue involved. I know it was one game but it was the most complete performance by Rovers under Bradley imo. Disciplined both on the pitch and sideline and bar the well known weakness between the posts it would have been a different result. Both sides were unlucky hitting the woodwork and not taking some of the better chances but all in all an even game. Id even say the ref had a good game overall.
If Bradley can get more of the same from his team then qualification for Europe wont be a problem by November. Sort out the keepers and get some consistancy going but not a whole lot wrong. Maybe another manager might be getting more from the same players but by Bradley is learning on the job after all himself. Its the first time that that I feel it wasnt Rovers lifting their game in a one off type way and that they are now not that far off a challange. Good bet for the cup! The fly in the ointment for Rovers and getting in to Europe is Waterford's unexpected position. Small squad and short term loans might see them fall away but if still going strong come July then Power might see to extend loans and strengthen the squad. Derry are lurking too and their home form has to be noted but yet to see them play. Not so sure of Pats being much more than midtable and safe this season. So as Rovers do take a stride forward there are more in genuine contention for Europe. It might be short term but the 10 team format is so far so good.
Agree so far so good on the 10 team format. Also it leads to a lot of matches that really matter every week.
Agree 're rovers have come on but the next few games are important. Bohs bray limerick....
Still think Waterford are overachieving but then t hats what they said about Leicester
Most would expect Rovers to get 9 points from those 3 games - at home to Bohs and Limerick with an away trip to Bray in between.
It's the next four league games that are more likely to be the sticky ones
Derry City (A)
Cork City (H)
St Pats (A)
Waterford (H)
If these results go astray Rovers could easily sit in 5th or 6th place by the middle of May
Really ? If rovers results go astray they could be 1 place or two behind where they are now .....tx for the insight .
If we win them all will we be higher then we are now ? I'm not great on maths
There's no need to be so tetchy - I'm simply pointing out to you that next 3 games are relatively easy and it's the four that follow that will be a big test.
I also agree with the thrust of what Nesta has said about the reasons for optimism for Rovers fans based on the teams performance last Friday, although I have doubts about consistency being maintained.
Last edited by Ezeikial; 08/04/2018 at 8:17 PM.
Fair enough
a ten point deduction for both teams will stamp this out.
Hery should never be allowed to play for Waterford again and should instead be forced to return to his former club, wherever it was.
Bray were an absolute disgrace on Friday.
Here on a technicality.
Yeah, but Pats started it
Shels should have a deduction as well what was heary even doing there ?
I really can't understand why Rovers didn't sort out the keeper problem during the close season ?
If they had they could be top by now.
They were doing very well at Turners Cross until Horgan had his moment of madness.
Likewise against Waterford & Dundalk keeper problems cost them points.
At this moment Dundalk are probably the most organised side & continue to get results despite not playing particularly well at times.
Cork City should be doing much better than they are but they have yet to settle down.
I don't see Waterford keeping up their present form because of their small squad but if they make it to July who knows what might happen.
Its easy with hindsight wondering how come we didn't sign someone but Horgan played well towards the end of last season and was apparently flying pre season hence he started the first game.
Interesting listening to Conan Byrne on GLITW podcast saying that both keepers were good keepers but confidence is the problem.
reminded him of Mignolet and Karius at Liverpool situation.
Its a truly **** position goalkeeper nowhere to hide, you'd have to be mad to want to play there.
Id agree with your summary Dundalk are super organised its hard to see them losing a game at the moment but every team generally has a bad spell at some point.
Sbgawa, it was plain as anything for those watching games in Tallaght last year that neither goalkeeper was good enough to sustain a credible title challenge, and Bradley did ****all about it. He was quick to get bolger and Boyle, but did nothing about the guy between the sticks. We won't win the league because of it, and are in danger of missing out on euro qualification.
Went to see Pats v Bray on Friday as a fairweather neutral.
Bray were dire - amazing to think that half the team was the same as when I'd watched them a year earlier (e.g., Kenna, Douglas, McCabe, Greene, Sullivan - and maybe others who I wouldn't have recognised). Without wanting to reignite the goalkeeping deabte, I always thought Peter Cherrie was among the best in the country - has he been the biggest loss for them?
Anyway, on Friday it was crazy to see how easily Pats played through them at times. McCabe up top on his own during the first half was like a fish up a tree.
Pats played with a big of swagger and took a couple of the goals very nicely but nobody will be judging them on the basis of that display. Madden was impressive at fullback, and Toner made it look easy in central defence.
Anyway, from a personal perspective, it was good to get back to an LOI match and see some decent football being played by at least one team. Hoping to get to the Dublin Derby next week. Would there be any difficulty getting a ticket on the night?
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