LOI in Europe 2022

[Kiki Balboa]

To say never grow is harsh. Rovers have bounced back from previous European set backs. Ludogorets, Ferencváros and the ECL group phase is great European experience all in one season. The Ludogorets and Ferencváros performances give a clear indication that 2nd in the ECL group will be a step too far. When the dust settles on Rovers European adventure, it'll be interesting to see can they grow again and achieve more.

Its a Rovers team that played six 30 year olds yesterday - and thats missing 3 others (McCann, Finn and Lopes). There two youngest starters were Andy Lyons (22) and Dylan Watts (25). Their manager has been there for 6 years. Its the one team in this league that shouldnt need experience.


They showed no growth in how to play from Ludograts to Ferna either. That should be a worry. Rovers look like they are going to be third seeds in the group stage in the conference. They have a possibility for qualifying out of it (obv depending on the draw), but not how they played yesterday. In the game, they gave up 25 shots (compared to Rovers 4). A huge amount. Its solely down to Rovers not being able to adapt to a higher level and getting steamrolled because of it.

[ontheotherhand]

Again kiki - we literally beat Ludogorets. We got well beaten by a better team with half a squad and one eye on Sunday. Don't be losing any sleep over it.

[Kiki Balboa]

Again kiki - we literally beat Ludogorets. We got well beaten by a better team with half a squad and one eye on Sunday. Don't be losing any sleep over it.

Yeah, thats the exact issue. Its not about the quality or talent of the Rovers team, its about the complete naivety in Europe, and not being able to survive/manage the first leg.

I wouldnt be surprised if the return leg you find out Ferna are not as great shakes as yous allowed them to be in the first- but like Ludograts, the game is already effectively over. (Not saying Rovers will win next week, just Ferna are not the greatest team in Europe as it is being made out to be).

[ontheotherhand]

Nobody is saying they are the greatest team in Europe. It's hard to have a discussion about anything on here when hyperbole like that is being employed. They are a good side who beat a weakened Rovers team with one eye on Sunday in sweltering heat in front of their 25 odd k fans. It's happened to Dundalk too.

I don't think we were naive in either leg. Naive is a weird word to use anyway. You think we went in not realizing how good they were? Or we should have sat back and put everyone behind the ball? We put out the best team in the best shape we could and we got beaten. The idea of sticking Richie Towell in a 5 man midfield isn't something I'd want to see us go with. Gannon was our only option at RWB unless you'd have wanted Farrugia on from the start? Playing a 4 at the back for the first time in years would have been even more calamitous. We don't even really have a recognized left full with Kavo already needed in midfield. Our best team went out last night and it wasn't good enough.

We are still heading to the groups. Which is lucky for you......

[pineapple stu]

Again kiki - we literally beat Ludogorets. We got well beaten by a better team with half a squad and one eye on Sunday. Don't be losing any sleep over it.

To be honest, I wouldn't rate the Ludogorets win that much. It was a better performance, sure, but Ludo were there to see out the tie, which they did. Similarly Sligo beating Viking and even Rovers' draw in Malta are largely meaningless given the tie was over after the first leg

[ontheotherhand]

To be honest, I wouldn't rate the Ludogorets win that much. It was a better performance, sure, but Ludo were there to see out the tie, which they did. Similarly Sligo beating Viking and even Rovers' draw in Malta are largely meaningless given the tie was over after the first leg

Your argument would be fair if they'd controlled the second leg but they didn't. Seeing out the tie wouldn't involve getting a man sent off and coughing up as many chances as they did. Completely different scenario to our game v Hibs. They didn't score.

[sbgawa]

Yeah, thats the exact issue. Its not about the quality or talent of the Rovers team, its about the complete naivety in Europe, and not being able to survive/manage the first leg.

I wouldnt be surprised if the return leg you find out Ferna are not as great shakes as yous allowed them to be in the first- but like Ludograts, the game is already effectively over. (Not saying Rovers will win next week, just Ferna are not the greatest team in Europe as it is being made out to be).

You do realise we were missing half a team ?
Just checking because it seems you are completely oblivious to this?
Can you name 11 Rovers palyers?

[pineapple stu]

Your argument would be fair if they'd controlled the second leg but they didn't. Seeing out the tie wouldn't involve getting a man sent off and coughing up as many chances as they did. Completely different scenario to our game v Hibs. They didn't score.

They didn't really have to control the second leg in fairness. As soon as Rovers made it interesting, Ludo scored to end it. Viking didn't control the game in Sligo either - and even gave up a penalty needlessly - but I still wouldn't pay too much heed to that win

[ontheotherhand]

They didn't really have to control the second leg in fairness. As soon as Rovers made it interesting, Ludo scored to end it. Viking didn't control the game in Sligo either - and even gave up a penalty needlessly - but I still wouldn't pay too much heed to that win

Viking were 4 up already and Sligo scored 1. An O.G. Viking were never in any trouble at all.

I take your point to an extent obviously. Ludo got the job done even if they looked completely shook and on the ropes. I'm not going to claim a side that has a cushion won't occasionally get sloppy and open things up but we were a completely different animal in the home tie and second half over there for a fairly obvious reason....we had Graham Burke on the field. The story of Rovers in Europe for the past two seasons has been the story of what could have been of we had our best players available.

And yet we are still in the groups! Some achievement really. Works out all around. People who don't like rovers can focus on the defeat, while we celebrate the success. Middle ground secured.

[ger121]

They didn't really have to control the second leg in fairness. As soon as Rovers made it interesting, Ludo scored to end it. Viking didn't control the game in Sligo either - and even gave up a penalty needlessly - but I still wouldn't pay too much heed to that win

They didn’t control it because they were not let from the start.They were all over the shop and lucky not to be 2 down long before Rovers got the 2nd. The goal for them you could say was a classic against the run of play goal, when the other side is playing a high line to chase the goal they need to level the tie and are hit on the counter.

[legendz]

Its a Rovers team that played six 30 year olds yesterday - and thats missing 3 others (McCann, Finn and Lopes). There two youngest starters were Andy Lyons (22) and Dylan Watts (25). Their manager has been there for 6 years. Its the one team in this league that shouldnt need experience.

Rovers are in pole position to retain their league crown again after years of Dundalk and Cork dominance. They have improved on last year's European run and have guaranteed group stage football. Rovers have delivered.
Dundalk under Kenny had a boldness, a football intelligence and a desire to achieve more. It is also fair to gauge Rovers in that context. It'll be a tough one for Rovers. Do they stick or twist from a structure that is delivering success for them? If they fall short of qualifying from the ECL group, as difficult and all as a task that is, they'll have to assess is a change in approach required to achieve more, if they have higher ambitions.

[CSAD]

To say never grow is harsh. Rovers have bounced back from previous European set backs. Ludogorets, Ferencváros and the ECL group phase is great European experience all in one season. The Ludogorets and Ferencváros performances give a clear indication that 2nd in the ECL group will be a step too far. When the dust settles on Rovers European adventure, it'll be interesting to see can they grow again and achieve more.

Except it doesn’t when you look at how Rovers performed in the 2nd leg versus Ludogorets, in both away legs Rovers made the opposition look far better than they actually are just like they did against Flora last year. If you look at the goals they conceded they weren’t because of tremendous quality from the opposition but from incredible schoolboy errors for the most part. The fact is when you compare rovers to Dundalk’s European teams you could always bank of Dundalk making it difficult for the opposition whereas with Rovers you know they will make it incredibly easy for the opposition.

They won’t show any potential for growth, they’ve done this season exactly what they did last season and no one on here seems to care, Rovers could lose to Lincoln Red Imps and the rovers fans on here would go out and say “Red Imps are a top quality side” rather than be critical of rovers, that’s how much their heads are in the clouds.

Again kiki - we literally beat Ludogorets. We got well beaten by a better team with half a squad and one eye on Sunday. Don't be losing any sleep over it.

Except the school boy errors made in Budapest were made in Bulgaria afew weeks ago and in Tallinn & Bratislava last year…I think it shows this Ferencvaros loss isn’t an isolated issue and maybe there is more to it than the opposition alone…

Nobody is saying they are the greatest team in Europe. It's hard to have a discussion about anything on here when hyperbole like that is being employed. They are a good side who beat a weakened Rovers team with one eye on Sunday in sweltering heat in front of their 25 odd k fans. It's happened to Dundalk too.

I don't think we were naive in either leg. Naive is a weird word to use anyway. You think we went in not realizing how good they were? Or we should have sat back and put everyone behind the ball? We put out the best team in the best shape we could and we got beaten. The idea of sticking Richie Towell in a 5 man midfield isn't something I'd want to see us go with. Gannon was our only option at RWB unless you'd have wanted Farrugia on from the start? Playing a 4 at the back for the first time in years would have been even more calamitous. We don't even really have a recognized left full with Kavo already needed in midfield. Our best team went out last night and it wasn't good enough.

We are still heading to the groups. Which is lucky for you......

You don’t think Rovers were naive….Jesus Christ.

Rovers literally ****ed up in identical fashion afew weeks ago…what part of that can’t you get you’re head around that this isn’t an isolated issue. You seem more content to paper over the crack than fix the problem which will come back to haunt Rovers in the long run when half this ancient squad retire.

You do realise we were missing half a team ?
Just checking because it seems you are completely oblivious to this?
Can you name 11 Rovers palyers?

So I think we are in agreement that this rovers team can’t cope on adversity and need everything to be handed to them like it is in the LOI in order to be successful.

Lost afew big players difficult yes, what effort was made in Budapest in order to rectify these issues? To me it looked like a team with no game plan that just went their for their inevitable beating like they did in Bulgaria afew weeks ago…but sure it’s easier just to paper over the cracks and move on then fix the problem.

[nigel-harps1954]

Has the multi-quote option disappeared on here?

[WeAreRovers]

Trolls obviously can’t multi-quote.

Meanwhile in the real world an actual professional footballer with a much smarter and more realistic view of Thursday night.

https://m.independent.ie/sport/socce...-41924605.html

Group stage football secured, on the way (hopefully!) to 3-in-a-row league titles all built on solid foundations. Bradley out!

GON’s views are reflective of where Rovers as a club, team and fanbase are - learning and growing all the time while enjoying the journey.

I can say with confidence that we are all very comfortable with where we are at and shrill, uninformed outside voices won’t change that.

[CSAD]

Trolls obviously can’t multi-quote.

Meanwhile in the real world an actual professional footballer with a much smarter and more realistic view of Thursday night.

https://m.independent.ie/sport/socce...-41924605.html

Group stage football secured, on the way (hopefully!) to 3-in-a-row league titles all built on solid foundations. Bradley out!

GON’s views are reflective of where Rovers as a club, team and fanbase are - learning and growing all the time while enjoying the journey.

I can say with confidence that we are all very comfortable with where we are at and shrill, uninformed outside voices won’t change that.

It’s not trolling when the supporting evidence
exists.

The issue isn’t new to me as the exact same problems in this Rovers team were present last season, the fact that little has been done to rectify the issues shows up the coaching staff.

The real world is Rovers will only ever go somewhere if they play against a team they are better than, but don’t ever expect them to over achieve or punch above their weight, if they are expected to lose they WILL lose and will only win in a match that doesn’t mean anything.

Any manager could win the Irish league with the resources rovers have…the challenge for this coaching staff is how they shape up in Europe and they are continuously shown up for being naive and unorganized which for a team with the experience Rovers have is unforgivable.

Happy where you are, that’s sad, I feel sorry for ye as you’ll never have it as good as Dundalk ever did. You like many Rovers fans are in denial and sadly 1 year hasn’t changed that.

[sbgawa]

It’s not trolling when the supporting evidence
exists.

The issue isn’t new to me as the exact same problems in this Rovers team were present last season, the fact that little has been done to rectify the issues shows up the coaching staff.

The real world is Rovers will only ever go somewhere if they play against a team they are better than, but don’t ever expect them to over achieve or punch above their weight, if they are expected to lose they WILL lose and will only win in a match that doesn’t mean anything.

Any manager could win the Irish league with the resources rovers have…the challenge for this coaching staff is how they shape up in Europe and they are continuously shown up for being naive and unorganized which for a team with the experience Rovers have is unforgivable.

Happy where you are, that’s sad, I feel sorry for ye as you’ll never have it as good as Dundalk ever did. You like many Rovers fans are in denial and sadly 1 year hasn’t changed that.

Troll away buddie , its kinda sad really but amusing.
We meanwhile will get ready for some nice foreign trips, Vienna or London would be my hope maybe Vilareal
You can go back to weeping your salty tears

[Kiki Balboa]

Troll away buddie , its kinda sad really but amusing.
We meanwhile will get ready for some nice foreign trips, Vienna or London would be my hope maybe Vilareal
You can go back to weeping your salty tears

Jesus, you got there by beating KF Shkupi and Hibs of Malta... I mean, its great for Rovers and their fans (and the money it has generated), but its thanks to the changes in UEFA rules yous are in the group stages... not because of any exceptional football or good victories in Europe. Any Irish Champion for the last 20 years would have expected qualify for the groups if the rules allowed them 2 pretty big defeats in separate ties in qualifying.

[dahamsta]

I've binned the last 3 pages of this thread, there's a few posts lost in the flak, sorry about that, it would take too long to excise a few okish posts from the rest.

I'm leaving it at that for now, but if it recurs, you know the story.

[EatYerGreens]

Is it possible to switch off certain posters ?

[MichaelCherrito]

Is it possible to switch off certain posters ?

Settings > my account > edit ignore list>

Then write nicknames of those you want to ignore.