How long would you give O'Connor?

**jebus** · 02/04/2005, 12:52 PM

I'm not advocating removing O'Connor from his position at this early stage of the campaign, but how long would you give him to turn things around? Five games? Ten games? The rest of the season? Four more years? Normally I'd never bring this topic up, but there were a lot of mixed feelings in regards to his appointment in the first place, not to mention the manner of his appointment. Mix all that in with unpopular decisions like leaving Jimmy Fyffe go, replacing him with what is turning out to be a dud of a keeper (I haven't seen either away game, but all reports back place at least two goals per game squarely on Mooney's shoulders), signing CP O'Brien against the fans wishes (lets face it, that poll result was a bit of a fix) and promising us he would deliver (which he clearly hasn't, again going on reports from last night and the Cobh game, plus what I saw myself at the Mons game), but also refusing to drop him despite these lacklustre outings. But if things don't improve how long would you give it til a lot of fans start venting their frustrations? And will he be sacked if the results don't follow (remember those rumours that his name is on the lease at Hogan Park?) Personally I think he should be given a season, if things aren't working out there should be a change in manager. With any other club I'd say only giving a new manager only a season is idiotic, but after all the promises that were made of Premier football in three years, drastic improvments on and off the field and the CP/Fyffe **** ups thats what I'd give him. But then again I've never been a fan anyway!

**progress** · 02/04/2005, 3:00 PM

i was never a fan of o connor in the first place,he knows his stuff by all accounts but just wont be able to attract top players,apart from home grown talent.i think he should be given time as should any manager because its not east taking over probably the worst team in the league.

**4tothefloor** · 02/04/2005, 7:30 PM

Has to be given the benefit of the doubt at the moment, we are only 3 games in. If we are still losing every second or third game in a few months time and stuck down near the bottom, well that's a different story. Needs to change things at the moment, interesting to see how he reacts. It'll prove whether he is a manager, or an assistant manager. Major difference between the two

**sean** · 02/04/2005, 8:16 PM

give noel a break how do u expect him to attract top players on 50 euro a week? also limerick have had a few bad seasons. it is all about attracting the top players ans they was limerick were the past few seasons no one will want to come and play for the club right now. i think he will do well what what he has and for now these type of players will be playing for the club in the near future,lets give him 2 seasons and see how it goes

**deise deserter** · 04/04/2005, 11:58 AM

Sean:
Why did he **** away Jimmy Fyffe for a has-been like Mooney? Surely Jimmy would be the cheaper (and better) option?

**Nempton** · 04/04/2005, 3:35 PM

We should give NOC the benefit of the doubt for the early start of the season and if I was to put a figure on it then the 10 game mark would be a good time to assess NOC and voice our opinion if we think he is capable of managing Limerick FC. But when you consider the crude manner that people attacked Mike Kerley at the end of last season, some who are close and supportive of NOC, then we should hold NOC up to the same level of scrutiny without being nasty about it.

We have already witnessed in the past how NOC managed the club when we were playing at Jackman Park. We know that NOC has his favourites and is very loyal to them. Regardless how well they play or not, NOC is not the type to drop them. Some will remember that Shane O'Donoghue for one season was inept on the right wing and really underperformed. NOC ignored the fans calls for Shane to be dropped, which were not unfounded, and persisted with him. Was it a question of loyalty to his player or stubborn-ness on his part not to listen to the fans? Whatever the answer may be, there is a real sense of deja vu with the CP O'Brien affair. The poll at the moment strongly shows the fans feelings in regards to who should start between Derek or CP. Most people have picked Derek because CP has underperformed. For NOC now the real question is about character and a test of his managerial ability, has he got it within him to make the necessary changes that are blatantly clear for the match against Kilkenny? Regardless of past history with players, good or bad, he has got to pick the players who will perform and win matches.

Our squad this season is far stronger than last season's. Mike Kerley only had two weeks to assemble a squad and friendlies and it is understandable then how we were resigned to finishing last. This season NOC has had no such restraints and it is understandable why expectations are high. Underperforming is not an option this season despite NOC playing down our chances especially when off the field the club is making progress.

**gael353** · 04/04/2005, 6:48 PM

Well hes on a 5 year deal (his words not nine) look we can judge every performance but yea maybe view noels position at about 10 games (quarter of season) hes goingknowwhere but i wish one or two layers would. We should sign Buckley now though as an amateur.

**clownboy** · 05/04/2005, 8:21 AM

Have to agree Gael...Someone from LFC should approach Brian Buckley and ask him to sign Im sure he would if he was asked ..He is a Class player..excellent in the air with 2 good feet and also extremely quick.Im sure he would be a big favourite with the Limerick fans just like Robbie Kelliher is proving to be

**clownboy** · 05/04/2005, 9:42 AM

Surely a manager should be given more than 10 games .Noel O'Connor is trying to build a team from scratch.Every manager nedds a season or even a couple for that matter to get the right formula for success.Remember Limerick Finished bottom last year..Good work is being dione off the field but its a young squad that will learn and surely get better as the season progresses.Rome wasent built in a day

**abbeyvale** · 05/04/2005, 12:12 PM

Lads, I'm a mate of Brian Buckley (aka Chucka) and he was already asked to sign but refused, due to the fact that the view want him to stay until they are totally out of the running for the league, given the fact that they have alreday released TB & RK to Limk, they don't want to lose chucka (until they cannot win the league.
I'm sure once Pike rvs have the league won, then surely Limk will be back in for him (hopefully) as I agree chucka has all the attributes to play LOI as he is a class act (I know this as I played with him for over 10yrs).

**clownboy** · 05/04/2005, 12:55 PM

Thats Strange cos i was talking to him Sunday night and he said nobody has approached him from LFC this season.

**Nempton** · 05/04/2005, 2:09 PM

clownboy "Surely a manager should be given more than 10 games .Noel O'Connor is trying to build a team from scratch.Every manager nedds a season or even a couple for that matter to get the right formula for success.Remember Limerick Finished bottom last year..Good work is being dione off the field but its a young squad that will learn and surely get better as the season progresses.Rome wasent built in a day"

I agree in principle that a manager needs a season to put his mark on a club but I don't think that for the Eircom League first division that is something we should strongly take into account here. Especially when the league is so open as it is and we have a stronger squad compared to last season. NOC has already previously managed the club, we already have some knowledge of his managerial style. The ten game mark is to see if NOC with his time spent at Cork has learnt anything while there or as one poster said whether to see if he his an asst. manager or a manager. By the ten game mark we will have some idea of what way the team is beginning to take shape and progressing under him.

While we have a young squad, the majority of them have Eircom League experience. The exception being Kelliher, Barrett and Tobin who are starting at this level for the first time and have adapted well. The majority of the players have already played with each other for Limerick especially last season, so this isn't necessarily a new team from scratch. I'm not suggesting that after a few more games we start calling for NOC to resign but that we take stock of what way the club is progressing on the field. It is very disheartening to hear the accounts of our performance against Athlone, the lack of leadership and passion in our play. Regardless of results if the players give their all for the club then you cannot fault them, but when they do not it reflects on the manager and it is a challenge to him to rectify this. At the moment players like CP and Mooney are not giving 100%, will NOC resort to old form and stick by them regardless or will he surprise us and be ruthless enough to make the changes when required. As I've already said CP is starting again tonight so I not expecting much from either party.

**anto1208** · 05/04/2005, 4:53 PM

you gotta give him a season at least before you even start thinking of replacing him and im not his biggest fan , i know players at cork didnt like him , some players at limerick didnt want him back , how do you get a job like that ? buy the club

seriously though there is no point slating him at all it wont do anyone any good

**The Derrynane 1** · 07/04/2005, 3:36 PM

I don't want the pass to be one of those bull**** ones-i'm telling ya! Ah good times. Noel might have his favourites, but they tend to be justified. He's certainly a man with control in the dressing room. If ye give him the time he deserves, say a couple of seasons (with Danny Drew helping out financially) I wouldn't be surprised to see ye promoted. Limerick has good footballing tradition, he likes to keep that going. Though I know he wasn't too happy to be sent off down the Mardyke last week!

**Nempton** · 07/04/2005, 4:14 PM

Noel might have his favourites, but they tend to be justified

That generally has not been the case in his first term in charge and now at the start of his second while its early days yet, he so far hasn't been justified in his selection of a certain 'favourite' player. A view held by the majority of fans as a certain poll showed.

Off the field he has prepared the squad well, they are training hard and putting in the work it just awaits to be seen then that for all their hard work can NOC get it right on the field. I don't think he is too faraway from doing so but he is going to have to start making the hard choice when it comes to player selection.