Fenlon signs 4 year contract

[thejollyrodger]

It's only 18 months since Shels fans were giving Fenlon serious $hit after we drew 0-0 in Tolka. Things change very quickly and a poor season could have him in trouble.

Very true. One bad season might be too much for any club. Fenlon could be out on his ear if he screwed it all up.

In saying that, Fenlon is one of the best managers in the E.L. I think he is great, he brings great organisational skills, team spirit, disicpline and self belief to the side.

We had a brilliant run in europe last year. Fenlon might have been sent to the stands but thats irrelevant. It's a tall order to ask Shels to go through to the group stages on their first attempt. In Europe a lot of it is experience.

Just look at Arsenal. They have been in the group stages now for a few years. Yet most soccer commentators reckon that a good team needs to be in the group stages for 2 -3 or even 4 years to get the experience (even if they are getting a regular hammering). After that they can expect to go on and progress (providing they have the players).

Shels look stronger and more professional each year, I think it will be Fenlon who will be the first manager who brought an Irish club side into the group stages of Champions League/UEFA CUp.

[TonyD]

Some good points made here already. Sure, Fenlon has done well, no taking that away from him. However, he has a serious advantage money wise over his rivals and that can't be ignored either. To bring up transfer fees is a red herring, it's wages that count. If anyone seriously doubts that Shelbourne are paying out bigger wages than anyone else they are deluding themselves. OK, some players may have turned them down (though not many I'd bet) but nine times out of ten Fenlon will be able to get the players he wants by waving Ollies chequebook under their nose. Much easier to win a Title that way. And I know Shels fans will point out that he still needs to blend a team, etc, etc, but give any manager a choice between Shelbournes budget and some of the rest and you know what the answer would be.

[thejollyrodger]

fenlon has all the names in the squad now but whether he can put together a starting 11 remains to be seen. (its still 0-0 with UCD ) Tinkerman Ranineri had an open cheque book but couldnt get it really working.

There are a lot of players up front for shels that will be expecting first team football. Somone will be sitting out. Other problem is whether Byrne and Glen Crow combine well up front. It might take a few games for that to work out.

[Troy.McClure]

Go take a look at the league table before Wednesday at 8:45 because its the only time that Cork will come before Shels on it.

*ahem*

TOP OF THE LEAGUE!

[higgins]

True
That didnt go to plan .....

the points about Fenlon are still valid. He had a great year last year and Im not expecting him to do better this season. It would be nice to get the 8 games out of europe but Id be happy with the 2nd round this season. He will have to win the league this season and if he does that along with a cup then he will have had a better season.

Your all crazy if you think Shels have an open cheque book as Chelsea does

Where do you get your facts from? Or do you lot not deal in facts? Theres not millions in the wage difference from shels to Cork or Drogheda . We are not at the stage yet where money will buy the league. If Shels win it they will have to win it well, on the pitch.