Dundalk will be wondering how they've gone on to lose this game.
Awful penalty decision in the Dundalk game.
Dundalk will be wondering how they've gone on to lose this game.
Absolute masterclass this. Could get very very ugly for Dundalk if we want it to.
95th minute winner for Rovers ....
I make that about 4 mins in total we've been ahead while winning all 3 matches against Longford this season
That's why we're Champions.
So beautifully cruel against Longford, and very very enjoyable to watch.
Its one of those tells of a championship side, playing right up to the final whistle, probably winning while playing poorly. Dundalk just have lost any ruthlessness, there have been games this season that we've lost and been dominant. Lacked confidence and imploded after conceding but got back in to this game among others after going behind but still end up punsihed. Lack of options to change up the central defence has been a problem alog with that old lack of pace to cover Nattestads regular poor sense of positioning - he has built a career o recovering tackles that can get him in trouble with the ref at times. Missed opportunity today considering how other results were favourable. Still time to haul us back in to top four but that window is closing. Its hard to be too harsh domestically in the midst of the European runs but its s the old bread and butter stuff!
Not sure what was worse in Oriel today, the pitch or Dundalk’s defending.
First league win up there since 2012 and that should secure Europe for us now, 13 points ahead of Bohs in 4th.
15 games to go, 3 points behind Rovers with a game more played and they have to come to Richmond, can we put up a title challenge?
In a word, no.
Success breeds success.
Until pats put together a team capable of challenging in the biggest games they won't win the league. Would be a good bet for the cup tho.
The length of Rovers run in Europe will impact on the title race.
If we get knockd out this week i would expect us to go on and win comfortably.
If we make group stages and face weeks on end of two matches a week that could change.
Rovers form wobble came when we had loads of injuries and 11 fit senior pros for 5 or 6 weeks.
If that happened again while competing in Europe anything is possible.
Anything is possible including Dundalk winning every game from here on and pinching the league but its not probable. Injuries, hectic schedules with European games and travel, tired players and coping with it is part and parcel really. This Rovers squad is probably costing in the ball park of Dundalk's pre Peak6. Its a good squad that should have enough to manage to keep things on track domestically but I do think its a bit imbalanced where certain players if out makes a big impact. It was considered OTT when Dundalk nearly had two quality players for every position though of course there are players that you just cant replace if out but it is arguably necessary to have such a set-up (the issue for me as a Dundalk fan then was that SK didnt really rotate the squad so why have a big squad). If Rovers dont retain the title it will be more to do with having not brought a few more players in and gambling on keeping lads fit. Towell is a bt of a band-aid plugging a gap, his work ethic and energy will win games, he will score mostly from the edge of the box and arriving late no doubt but Rovers seem more battering ram that unlocking defences. Still lack a point man with Gaffney eg not really an answer. Burke is missed, Finn played out of a position where he can pull strings. Maybe there is some waiting for the academy to reap more rewards but the squad needs adding to for 2023. It will be how to keep Pats at arms length as they too are a bit limited beyond a starting 11 and theyll find it harder to fund a strengthened squad, Rovers have the financial clout. Few league titles are won without giving fans a scare or 3, Rovers will be fine, but there could be better value for money squad wise. Of course it isnt always easy to find the right players to sign but even in a battle of attrition Rovers should get there if not by a huge distance.
I agree Pats don’t have a squad to compare with Rovers but “a bit limited beyond a starting 11” is under-estimating us a bit. Today we were missing Robbie Benson and Darragh Burns, probably our two best players this season, and had Jamie Lennon, Ronan Coughlan, Billy King, Sam Bone and a 20-cap current Maltese international on the bench.
Post European game hangovers most certainly a thing this season. We’ve been brutal. Could cost us a place in Europe for next season.
Your in 4th place now with two games in hand on the teams behind you, you should be ok unless Dundalk win the cup.
That being said , man for man DFC have a first 11 that could go on a run ....it just needs to happen soon
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