2021 Season , Arrivals and departures

**sbgawa** · 26/02/2021, 3:33 PM

With the tax rates for all income of over 2k a week at 55% in this socialist republic the extra money offered if a player wants to go to a particular club would need to be substantial to make you change your club preference.
Not just in towells case , just in general for the better players.
None of the Mangt from his time at DFC are there and with Finn, Hoare and Gannon at Rovers and him being from Dublin it makes sense.
Driving up from Dublin every day would be a pain if you plan on living in Dublin in the end.
Life is no always just about money

**Nesta99** · 26/02/2021, 3:48 PM

Originally Posted by Sonny

Well you should be shocked if you're off the pace for the title when your playing budget is almost double that of your nearest rivals, and many multiples that of most teams in the league!! It would be completely ludicrous if you were 'out of European contention.' You have a squad of 30 first team players ffs!

Also, Duffy is out with a "long-term" back injury according to Gerry Malone?

I stand by my original point. If Rovers had done Dundalk's business in the off season there would be serious discontent and concern - rightly or wrongly. Instead, and again whether its justified remains to be seen, Dundalk fans seem very, very optimistic about the recruitment and the season ahead. Interesting season ahead either way!

Its well discussed that there are reservations on Dundalk's recruitment, an inexperienced manager at senior level, madcap involvement of an american based chairman, contract policy, injury prone players (see recruitment issues) so I dont know why you would think it should be a shock if a title challenge goes off the rails. Shock would imply absolute expectation (which no doubt would be considered arrogant) - its been commented on here about Dundalk fans' optimism in relation to a keeper signing as misguided. Its also been suggested that Towell possibly signing for Rovers is an indication of where the respective clubs are at - especially if the cash is being splashed and A player still opts for a lesser deal. Budgets are a big influence on things but its not the only piece for a title chasing club. Again its a pragmatic approach to the possibilities of the season coming, cautiously optimistic if signings work out and the old guard stay mostly injury free. Annoyed would be more appropriate on how Dundalk fans should feel if the club has 'double the playing budget' and not be topping the heap, but shocked - nope. I dont know where you are getting your figures from but Id love to know what Dundalk's wage bill is that is not just throw away speculation!? Double the budget?? Sure everyone knows that we have the 4th highest playing budget in the league (along with everyone else!!).

We dont have a 30 man squad but maybe it was more a flippant comment but what we definitely dont have is 2 senior squads playing in LoI!

If Gerry Malone says it it must be true...

**Nesta99** · 26/02/2021, 3:54 PM

Originally Posted by DCWA

With respect, you are deluded if you think Rovers would have had to throw money at Towell to appeal more than Dundalk.

They are reigning champions and odds on to retain their title. They have a manager who knows the team and league inside out, they have recruited well and are relatively settled.

Dundalk on the other hand...

Every single footballing consideration that comes to mind for a player like Towell deciding between the two comes down with a tick beside Rovers, it is very possible (frankly probable) that their didn’t have to be a contract financially significantly better on offer from them.

Well he did opt to play in the lowest tier of the English football league, I doubt it was for the glory of playing for Salford and buttons! But the rest of your post does show why Dundalk fans wouldnt be shocked if not in the title race as Sonny thinks we should.

**ontheotherhand** · 26/02/2021, 3:55 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Its a well discussed that there are reservations on Dundalk's recruitment, an inexperienced manager at senior level, madcap involvement of an american based chairman, contract policy, injury prone players (see recruitment issues) so I dont know why you would think it should be a shock if a title challenge goes off the rails. Shock would imply absolute expectation (which no doubt would be considered arrogant) - its been commented on here about Dundalk fans' optimism in relation to a keeper signing as misguided. Its also been suggested that Towell possibly signing for Rovers is an indication of where the respective clubs are at - especially if the cash is being splashed and A player still opts for a lesser deal. Budgets are a big influence on things but its not the only piece for a title chasing club. Again its a pragmatic approach to the possibilities of the season coming, cautiously optimistic if signings work out and the old guard stay mostly injury free. Annoyed would be more appropriate on how Dundalk fans should feel if the club has 'double the playing budget' and not be topping the heap, but shocked - nope. I dont know where you are getting your figures from but Id love to know what Dundalk's wage bill is that is not just throw away speculation!? Double the budget?? Sure everyone knows that we have the 4th highest playing budget in the league (along with everyone else!!).

We dont have a 30 man squad but maybe it was more a flippant comment but what we definitely dont have is 2 senior teams playing in LoI!

If Gerry Malone says it it must be true...

How are you feeling now after seeing some of the imports v Bohs? I only watched the highlights but Jurkovskis seemed to stand out a bit? And the young lad O'Kane had a few flashes?

**pineapple stu** · 26/02/2021, 4:10 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

With the tax rates for all income of over 2k a week at 55% in this socialist republic the extra money offered if a player wants to go to a particular club would need to be substantial to make you change your club preference.

There's sizeable tax relief for professional sportspeople, so the income tax rate isn't actually relevant.

Agree with your other points though.

**Burnsie** · 26/02/2021, 4:20 PM

There's a bang of Cork City 2020 off some of these randomers signing for Waterford.

Here's a fact for ye: if Waterford were relegated and replaced by (say) Shels or Galway*, the southernmost team in next season's PD would be Shamrock Rovers. (by my reckoning, Tallaght Stadium is south of Eamon Deacy Park by about 120 metres, going by the centre circles)

**nigel-harps1954** · 26/02/2021, 5:04 PM

You would have to be worried if you were a Waterford fan alright. Signing lads from the outer reaches of non league football is either a sign of desperation, or Newell and Sheedy underestimating the league greatly.

**Bucket** · 26/02/2021, 5:12 PM

The National League in England is non-league, similar level to the LOI imo

**D24Saint** · 26/02/2021, 5:18 PM

I watch the national league in England quite a bit and have been to a few games a year for the last few years. It�s a decent standard of football with a lot of players that could play in the LOI & vice versa. The major obstacle in comparing the two leagues would be the different football cultures. The majority of LOI teams want to try and play nice football with passing play etc where the majority of national league clubs have no interest in trying.

**Sonny** · 26/02/2021, 5:19 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Its well discussed that there are reservations on Dundalk's recruitment, an inexperienced manager at senior level, madcap involvement of an american based chairman, contract policy, injury prone players (see recruitment issues) so I dont know why you would think it should be a shock if a title challenge goes off the rails. Shock would imply absolute expectation (which no doubt would be considered arrogant) - its been commented on here about Dundalk fans' optimism in relation to a keeper signing as misguided. Its also been suggested that Towell possibly signing for Rovers is an indication of where the respective clubs are at - especially if the cash is being splashed and A player still opts for a lesser deal. Budgets are a big influence on things but its not the only piece for a title chasing club. Again its a pragmatic approach to the possibilities of the season coming, cautiously optimistic if signings work out and the old guard stay mostly injury free. Annoyed would be more appropriate on how Dundalk fans should feel if the club has 'double the playing budget' and not be topping the heap, but shocked - nope. I dont know where you are getting your figures from but Id love to know what Dundalk's wage bill is that is not just throw away speculation!? Double the budget?? Sure everyone knows that we have the 4th highest playing budget in the league (along with everyone else!!).

We dont have a 30 man squad but maybe it was more a flippant comment but what we definitely dont have is 2 senior squads playing in LoI!

If Gerry Malone says it it must be true...

Okay there is a lot going on here.

Firstly, my original observation is based on a quick browse of the Dundalk forum, and to a lesser extent posters here, who generally seem less cautious than you do about the coming season, and in particular seem very confident about a lot of the signings. I'm simply saying that this is very surprising to me, and if roles were reversed I am 100% sure Rovers fans would be very unhappy with the recruitment and be far less optimistic about the potential to make up 22 points on last season. We'll find out soon enough whether the optimism is warranted. To me it looks like your recruitment strategy is very risky and haphazard, and comes across as throwing **** at a wall hoping enough of it sticks.

Your owner publicly stated in an interview about 6 months ago that your budget was double that of Rovers', and any public financial information from the last few years seems to support that. Dundalk's staffing costs are astronomical in LOI terms.

And finally, 30 was slightly hyperbolic, but not that far off. You have at least 26 first team players!! Not winning the league is a massive, massive failure for Dundalk given the resources available.

**Nesta99** · 26/02/2021, 5:20 PM

Originally Posted by ontheotherhand

How are you feeling now after seeing some of the imports v Bohs? I only watched the highlights but Jurkovskis seemed to stand out a bit? And the young lad O'Kane had a few flashes?

Havent seen much of the game yet tbh. The pregame production looked great and with having Roche in with the LMFM commentator. Jersey growing on me too.

* Just watched the 1st half there and my first impression was that it is a good game, which is a positive for a first outing with a new look side. I'm very impressed with Ryan O'Kane, composure belying his young age, good understanding with Dummigan down that wing and put in some lovely crosses. On corner taking duty which shows managements confidence in him and he didnt put in one wayward one. It was unfortunate that he dragged the ball wide when put through on goal but tbh he read things well to make the run for McMillan to slip the ball through.
Abibi is the total opposite to Cherrie in that he is quick off the line and around the box, a positive but will no doubt give us a few heart attacks.
Jurkovskis looks handy and not in a Oduwa way - has raided down the right and some neat interplay too, one lovely run in the 20th min if anyone wants to jump in for an example on the link below.
Nattestad looks solid so far and a threat at corners but not involved a whole lot - put one attacking header in the box out nearly at the halfway line lol but it was just over running the ball in so shall let him off that one.
The old guard have been generally good, jump in at 15mins for the McMillan effort - super first touch and volley and if it had gone in would have done the social media rounds.
Shields is playing more like O'Donnell, efficient, dictating tempo, breaking up play, recycling the ball well. Less frantic if that makes sense and really is the one pulling the strings.
Bohs goal was sloppy from Sloggett, those sort of errors will expose us in this new system of stretching wide when in possession and there is no chance to compact things -high risk high reward stuff.
Boyle looks more like the player of 2016 in this game that he did at any time last season, fresh rather than laboured.
Midtskogen didnt do a whole lot in his 30mins but looks able to be a real nuisance for defenders.

So yeah, happy with what Ive seen so far though it is still a preseason game so no losing the run of things. Better than I expected as usually a 1st game back is full of wayward passing and imistimed interplay. There is a cohesion that ye would only really expect after a few games so maybe lots of preseason games isnt the be all if work on the training ground is doing that job. For preseason there is more urgency and better tempo than what was seen competitively last season especially in the league. Cant really judge too much on a single opposition but its a lot more positive than negative!

Bohs started slowly but worked in to the half well. Took the chance gifted to them and hit the post so could have been 2 up at HT after seeing little enough of the ball. Even half overall other than that. Keith Long's suntan is impressive too

2nd half subs will be interesting now.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/live-strea...c-v-bohemians/

**Nesta99** · 26/02/2021, 5:34 PM

Originally Posted by Sonny

Okay there is a lot going on here.

Firstly, my original observation is based on a quick browse of the Dundalk forum, and to a lesser extent posters here, who generally seem less cautious than you do about the coming season, and in particular seem very confident about a lot of the signings. I'm simply saying that this is very surprising to me, and if roles were reversed I am 100% sure Rovers fans would be very unhappy with the recruitment and be far less optimistic about the potential to make up 22 points on last season. We'll find out soon enough whether the optimism is warranted. To me it looks like your recruitment strategy is very risky and haphazard, and comes across as throwing **** at a wall hoping enough of it sticks.

Your owner publicly stated in an interview about 6 months ago that your budget was double that of Rovers', and any public financial information from the last few years seems to support that. Dundalk's staffing costs are astronomical in LOI terms.

And finally, 30 was slightly hyperbolic, but not that far off. You have at least 26 first team players!! Not winning the league is a massive, massive failure for Dundalk given the resources available.

Massive failure not winning the league is a different debate than why id not be shocked at that failure. I wont be super surprised if we are first over the line either - is that being too optimistic. We probably dont differ that much in how things have been done at Oriel recently. I cant speak for other Dundalk fans but im keeping my powder dry on making bold predictions. Come November I will be very happy to be able to say that thngs werent so haphazard at all in the end and that recruitment was spot on. I will still dislike zonal marking but wont be moaning too much if we dont cough up much.

**Sonny** · 26/02/2021, 7:17 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Massive failure not winning the league is a different debate than why id not shocked at that failure. I wont be super surprised if we are first over the line either - is that being too optimistic. We probably dont differ that much in how things have been done at Oriel recently. I cant speak for other Dundalk fans but im keeping my powder dry on making bold predictions. Come November I will be very happy to be able to say that thngs werent so haphazard at all in the end and that recruitment was spot on. I will still dislike zonal marking but wont be moaning too much if we dont cough much.

That's all fair enough. It's an interesting season with lots of unknowns. From Dundalk's point of view I really feel the most likely scenario is that Filippo gets his p45 in the summer, but the nature of the league is such that if Rovers don't win it, Dundalk probably will.

**oriel** · 26/02/2021, 8:40 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

With the tax rates for all income of over 2k a week at 55% in this socialist republic the extra money offered if a player wants to go to a particular club would need to be substantial to make you change your club preference.
Not just in towells case , just in general for the better players.
None of the Mangt from his time at DFC are there and with Finn, Hoare and Gannon at Rovers and him being from Dublin it makes sense.
Driving up from Dublin every day would be a pain if you plan on living in Dublin in the end.
Life is no always just about money

I was thinking of this before, if I was a Dublin player and coming back from UK, last thing I would want to do after settling back in the city, would be to travel up the m1 twice a day 5 times a week.

Seemingly DFC offered a 2 year contract, Rovers 3, again and at his age, I can see why he took the latter offer.

**mcgonigle** · 26/02/2021, 10:45 PM

A the classic Rovers not offering big money deflection. Towell's drop to league 2 was not ambition related. He's playing regularly for Salford so isn't surplus to requirements.

If anyone thinks he's taking a big financial hit coming home or there was a big difference in the offers you are deluded. Good player but you're not getting 2015 Towell. He'll do well but won't replace Byrne or McEneff.

No idea if Dundalk's signings will come good, liked what I saw from a few today. Is it good enough to bridge the gap, maybe. The gap to bridge isn't as big now though.

**pineapple stu** · 27/02/2021, 6:54 AM

Collie O'Neill appointed Cabo manager

Great to see him back in the league

**ToberonaTornado** · 27/02/2021, 7:23 AM

Originally Posted by Sonny

That's all fair enough. It's an interesting season with lots of unknowns. From Dundalk's point of view I really feel the most likely scenario is that Filippo gets his p45 in the summer, but the nature of the league is such that if Rovers don't win it, Dundalk probably will.

You're Breaking new ground by saying this now Sonny,be careful you dont repeat yourself lad

You dont think Dundalk will win it - we fuqing get it!!

**Kiki Balboa** · 27/02/2021, 7:59 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Collie O'Neill appointed Cabo manager

Great to see him back in the league

Great appointment that. Was impressed at UCD, and thought he was one of the brightest young managers in LOI. Their tweet says though that he joined the first team coaching staff. I dont think he is the manager.

Are Cabo developing any sort of following?

**sbgawa** · 27/02/2021, 8:08 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

There's sizeable tax relief for professional sportspeople, so the income tax rate isn't actually relevant.

Agree with your other points though.

Thanks for that
Wow they basically get ten years tax back , thats some deal.
Kinda makes sense now why a player would come bac from england for a lot less then he was on if they ultimately want to live/bring their kids up in Ireland (not talking about Towell in particular) just general.