Will Shels Progressin CL?

**Shelsman** · 24/06/2005, 12:29 PM

Will Shels get past Glentoran and Steau Bucharest?

**pineapple stu** · 24/06/2005, 12:43 PM

Should get by Glentoran purely because Glens are out of season. But wouldn't be overly surprised if they screwed it up.

Steaua are UEFA Cup quarter-finallists from last year - think that's a step too far. Though the Romanian league is only one place ahead of the Croatian in the UEFA rankings...

**Slash/ED** · 24/06/2005, 12:45 PM

And they'll be out of season, but still, it would be a massive upset if we beat them. We should get to the second round but with the way we're playing and with a derby like atmosphere anything could happen.

**pineapple stu** · 24/06/2005, 12:46 PM

2004/05 season began on the 30th July last year - they'll have a game or two under their belts...

**Slash/ED** · 24/06/2005, 12:48 PM

Crap

That means they'll be at the same level of fitness roughly as Split, and are a better side you'd imagine, so it will be very very difficult to overcome them if we make it that far.

**Rory H** · 24/06/2005, 12:55 PM

result is pretty clear so far

**EnDai** · 24/06/2005, 9:02 PM

Have to be realistic with Steaua meeting us IF we progress. That said, we proved we can do it, but you can't pin your hopes on it!

**steveyg2004** · 25/06/2005, 10:05 AM

I speak as much in expectation as in hope when I say the Glens will progress to the second round.

Don't know what sort of evil-protestant/satanic-ritual-hoodoo David Jeffrey and his team of miscreants cast on your players back in May, but by hell it is working!

Shelbourne have not only lost their mojo, but also the fear factor, and if Derry City and Linfield can overcome your boys then the Irish League Champions have nothing to fear.

In all seriousness lads, Shelbourne are definitely favourites, but I think this game will have a domestic feel about it and should be very close. It all depends on the first leg at the Oval. During the whole of last season we won all but 1 of our 15 home league games, and in all competition we lost just 3 and drew 2 at home. That statistic sounds less impressive until you take into account that 1 of the defeats and 1 of the draws came in the UEFA Cup, with the other defeats coming against Portadown (league) and Linfield (Setanta Cup). We also progressed to the 2nd round of the UEFA Cup last season, beating Alliansi but then getting knocked out by a Swedish side.

;Not quite up there with Shelbourne's heriocs in Europe last season, but one thing you have to remember is that once you become a seed (Shelbourne 1st round), you are in some ways on easy street as the opposition you are up against is much weaker (you have done exceptionally well to earn your seeding tho). Don't underestimate the Irish League Champions lads!

**thejollyrodger** · 25/06/2005, 11:08 AM

i think Shels will be Glentoran no problem but I dont think we will beat the romanian outfit. Were not on the form we were last season.

**steveyg2004** · 25/06/2005, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by thejollyrodger

i think Shels will beat Glentoran no problem

Did you think Shels would beat Linfield 'no problem'?

A few more comments like that and I can see full well why so many other Eircom fans hate you arrogant Shels fans and your heritage-less club.

Ever gotten to the quarter finals of a European Competition, f*cknuts?

**Plastic Paddy** · 25/06/2005, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by steveyg2004

Did you think Shels would beat Linfield 'no problem'?

A few more comments like that and I can see full well why so many other Eircom fans hate you arrogant Shels fans and your heritage-less club.

Ever got to the quarter finals of a European Competition, f*cknuts?

In case you hadn't noticed, it's football and not Top Trumps we're talking about here.

You'll be judged on the results and, as a neutral where both teams are concerned (and therefore with no axe to grind either way), I predict you'll be on the end of a good thumping. Shels will be three goals clear over the two legs, no problem, current poor form notwithstanding. They'll have the fitness and the match sharpness that Glens won't, and that will really mark out the differences between the teams.

PP

**steveyg2004** · 25/06/2005, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by Plastic Paddy

In case you hadn't noticed, it's football and not Top Trumps we're talking about here.

You'll be judged on the results and, as a neutral where both teams are concerned (and therefore with no axe to grind either way), I predict you'll be on the end of a good thumping. Shels will be five goals clear over the two legs, no problem.

PP

How do you square your assessment with Linfield's comfortable 2-0 victory against Shels but weeks ago. It might have escaped your notice fella, but we pipped Linfield to become Champions of our domestic league, I'm sure you will agree that achievement is still superior to winning the Setanta Cup, on both sides of the border ie you weren't even beaten by the best team in Northern Ireland that night.

You are just trying to annoy me now with a prediction of 5-0. Glentoran only get beaten by that sort of score-line against real quality opposition. We usually go out of Europe by a goal or 2. Welsh teams get a thrashing every year, not Irish League teams (they just usually creep out at the 1st round).

I reitterate my previous point - I am starting to dislike Shels fans as they would appear to be cocky, arrogant f*ckers, especially considering the slump of all slumps that they are currently 'enjoying'. No 'good' team could lose so many matches in such quick succession, surely!

**thejollyrodger** · 25/06/2005, 3:21 PM

i cant belive all this anti shels feeling.... i cheer on bohs FFS.

give Shels and their supporters a break. there arent many of us.. i know shels wont be on top form forever, and if even the village got into the CL group stages then i would cheer them on

**The Sheliban** · 25/06/2005, 3:58 PM

Yes, Shels are on a terrible slump at the moment, but the Glens will barely be back in pre-season. The pendulum should have swung back to the Eircom League club by the time the two matches are played.
However, its probably the worst possible draw for us. It will be more like a league game than the Champions League, and derby games are always very tight.
Steve, don't get carried away just because a few Shels fans are confident. Steau are confident too, and probably see themselves in the third round already. Aren't you confident when you play Larne or Newry?
Personally I'm never confident watching Shels - too many upsets!

**Anto McC** · 25/06/2005, 5:15 PM

I'm in no way cocky but i still think Shels should progress,I don't know how or by how many goals nor do i care how or by how many goals but i still think we will.

**pineapple stu** · 26/06/2005, 2:12 PM

Great result for Shels in Waterford...getting back to form just in time...?

**Slash/ED** · 26/06/2005, 2:13 PM

Good result, poor performance, but the form of Crowe is the biggest positive to take from it. 4 goals in 5 games now and he's been outstanding recently. If we can get 6 points from the next 6, which would include a massive game v Derry, and start really performing then we can say we're back in the hunt. This next week is huge.

**higgins** · 30/06/2005, 5:04 PM

I too think we will come through the game against Glentoran easy enough in the end. I can see maybe the first half up there being tight but as soon as we get used to the surroundings and there is no sloppy early goal I think we should start to look the best.

Its a massive thing that you are not in season. I wouldnt write it off like your manager and say that you played a team last year and were ok! Its got to make a difference and coming towards the end of both games we should have the upper hand.

God knows what the next two weeks has in store but our form cant get much worse.

If you can manage to stop us scoring up there then you would be favourite but I think after the last few seasons Nutsy knows the importance of the away goal and I think a 2-2 or something like that for the first leg.

**Forza Glentoran** · 06/07/2005, 1:27 AM

It was 2-2 after the first leg at the Oval vs Allianssi last year too. Of course, we all know what happened after that. Personally, I'm happy to hear Shels fans saying they'll win easy. Takes the pressure off us, and will make you lot look like ****s if we tan yer arses. I would urge you not to underestimate us.

**glentoranfan** · 11/07/2005, 7:39 PM

This is from another thread, but means the same:

Shels from what I hear think they are goint to walk all over us going by the comments, some of which are unsporting and trash. Let me asure you Shels fans now who think that is the case, you are going to have a tougher time that you think.

We have had 3 really good friendly fixtures, our side is determined, are expecting a tough game (unlike a lot of you lot) and up for it. The IL is no push over, remember the Setanta cup so you had better watch out!

Game on!