Will Patching why does that name ring a bell? Remind me..
Will Patching why does that name ring a bell? Remind me..
Gary Cronin is he the right man to manage Longford Town?
Patching was with Dundalk last season
Yes a solid keeper is crucial if you expect to challenge for the title, but in my opinion Cherrie does not meet that criteria. He’s a decent keeper but he’s a down grade on Rogers, who had his own flaws. Like everyone else, I’ve no idea how the Albanian keeper will do, but I hope we’ve only signed Cherrie purely to have a decent keeper with LoI experience in the squad, I’ll be worried if he is the first choice.
Not rhetorical. Kiki suggested Dundalk signed Cherrie because the Albanian fella and the underage target are "unknown quantities"
Gambling on unknown quantities to the extent of having a Plan C signed just in case isn't a great transfer policy for a side who'd expect to be serious title contenders and to do well in Europe.
Im presuming that Cherrie is the experience on the bench and if needed can fill a gap. We've had well rated keepers in reserve the last while, little game time to really see their ability. From Sava to McCarey, have had gaffs that damaged us but then so did Rogers - is any keeper gaff free? Didnt see much of Tracey either. Looking back at the Bratislava game, thats the standard of keeper we'd all like!! Similar to this Albanian chap thats coming in I hope.
What on earth are you seeing that would suggest this lad would be anywhere near the standard of Slovan Bratislava's keeper??? One is a 23 year old Slovakian international with around 100 appearances for Slovan Bratislava; the other is a 24 year old who has played one season finishing in the bottom half of the Albanian league and couldn't get a sniff in the Italian lower leagues. As far as I can see they are both non-Irish goalkeepers, and that's about where the similarities end.
Ah Nesta...while I agree that having an experienced keeper ready to step in is a good thing.....Mannus and Cherrie aren't similar in terms of ability nor was Mannus signed to be in the mix...Rovers waited for him because they knew he was going to be the number 1. It was a painful wait...
If thats the impression I gave apologies as no way do I consider Mannus and Cherrie as similar in ability! I was more suggesting that there is worry (and uncertainty on how well they have been scouted - hence the rhetorical question question to Stu) about the keepers coming in, not knowing if the unknowns will be good enough so will Cherrie be in the mix for the number 1 jersey. Also that Rovers improved significantly on the back of re-signing Mannus alone never mind other squad improvements.
At least we know what we are getting with Cherrie in comparison to these other lads, if he is to be No 1, whether he will be good enough to do a job is a wait and see and hope that he is if he is in the mix. He has a league winners medal from 2014 as first choice keeper but Kenny didnt seem to rate him though he had a good if unspectacular season with a solid back 4 in front of him. Is he past it now or has improved some weak points with experience I dont know yet and will reserve judgement irrespective of performances at other clubs. He is prone to poor decision making as Cork found in Europe, he was a good shot stopper but didnt command the box - hesitant coming for crosses. I hope that he is not considered as a first choice signing but as back-up, that having an experienced keeper in the squad could be a benefit the younger lads coming in. He is unlikely to be on top wages and that he may be reasonable value for money to have in reserve.
To clear up on what Sonny thought I was saying - The Bratislava keeper is the level of player that I believe is needed especially if there is ambition to improve significantly and consistently in Europe, maybe this Albanian lad has the potential, I hope he has and we have picked up a diamond in the rough. Again, time will tell!
Solid keepers win doubles, and in our case as far back as Richie Blackmore (79), Alan O'Neill (88) and Rogers (15 +18), all three won league titles on their own also (2 for Blackmore, 3 more for Rogers and 1 for O'Neill).
Others can play in a league winning side and end up with a single league title and that's how I would rate Cherrie, and lesser extent Van Boxtel (95), in that mental season of 94/95, one more week we could have finished 3rd, and his plight obviously took on a whole different story !
Point is, you need a massive presence in a GK to win things consistently, and to give that confidence / comfort feel to your defenders, as was mentioned in an earlier post by Nesta, Manus transformed Rovers, and almost overnight. Amazed DFC didn't go for other GK's who were of more ready made quality, now as I said before I could be very wrong on Abibi and Cherrie, I hope I am, and will gladly hold my hand up and say I got it wrong if so.
Granted both deserve a chance, but just why we are taking a chance on GK's is my worry.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), first Irish club to win points in a group stage in Europe (2016).
Keep on hoping...
Listened to the podcast interviews with Abibi, Cherrie and new goal keeper coach Graham Byas there's a few things of note. Cherrie had been training with Dundalk and was offered a contract subsequently, from what he was saying the impression is he wont start as first choice. Byas talked up Abibi which is to be expected, but I'd have liked there to be more preseason games for Abibi and defenders to bed in communication so there could be some hairy moments early season until thigs settle. The new academy cropped up a few times with Byas so he's not just in a senior coach role. His experience with youth player development played a significant in why he was picked for the job imo, with the growing focus on youth development at the club Rovers fans willing to comment on how he was regarded at Tallaght? If most of his experience is with youths Cherrie's experience could be invaluable. It's planned to stream the friendly with Bohs so it will be interesting to get a first look.
Waterford have signed Josh Collins ex UCD and Oscar Brennan ex Shelbourne and Bohs in last week. Any thoughts on these 2 from fans of his previous clubs?
We also have a lot of younger players some from UK on trial at moment. Squad is looking a bit thin so far.
Josh is decent; I'd have expected him to move onto a PD team in due course. Played alongside Liam Scales who's done quite well for himself. Brother is Nathan Collins at Stoke
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