LOI in Europe 2022

**pineapple stu** · 05/08/2022, 2:58 PM

Originally Posted by placid casual

Oh, well since you put it like that stu.. whats all the fuss about. ��.

Jays, you're some pessimist - I'm suggesting ye might lose ye're next three games and reach the groups, but even that's too hard!

**lofty9** · 05/08/2022, 2:59 PM

Originally Posted by Buller

Bahaha burst out laughing. Ill pay the petrol money if ye do it, absolutely agree about Towell.

So glad Zinedine McCann has got a run of games recently. Was a class act when he came in for the injured GaryON end of last year and must have felt hard done by to be an unused sub the first half of the season this year.

Good to see McCann has proven his undoubted quality. Watched him in Tallaght v Derry and he was the worst player on the pitch by a huge distance. I always say you can't write off a player until getting a run of games under their belt especially in their preferred positions.

**Buller** · 05/08/2022, 3:14 PM

Originally Posted by lofty9

Good to see McCann has proven his undoubted quality. Watched him in Tallaght v Derry and he was the worst player on the pitch by a huge distance. I always say you can't write off a player until getting a run of games under their belt especially in their preferred positions.

Yeah exactly, especially with a Center Mid. Out of all the positions they've the highest improvement potential with a run of games.

Was eager to see him playing regularly seeing as he's played his whole career at Championship and MLS level.

That said, it doesnt always apply. The more games Zahebo played for Dundalk last year the worse he got! He still clubless?

**Nesta99** · 05/08/2022, 3:55 PM

Originally Posted by placid casual

Towell has shown for Rovers that he's about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.
If dundalk would like to extricate him from his multi year Rovers contract and tske him off our hands, I'll drive the f***er up to oriel pk myself.
It looks like McCann will be missing from the game next week, so I'm hoping a 60 mins performance from Jack Byrne to keep things calm, and help Rovers score and ultimately kill the tie will be on the menu.

Oh I wasnt being complementary to Towell, with Skhupi's liking of pinging in long shots, he could be useful at the very basic job getting in their way.

**patsdad** · 05/08/2022, 4:38 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

While Id have had hope of a good result in the 1st leg before, Id be wary of making any bold predictions for the 2nd leg - in this instance the binning of away goals is a negative. I dont think it is hopeless for St Pats by any means, but they will have to have a St Pats performance of legendary proportions! I'd generally advocate for a positive approach to games but Clancy will have had a few sleepless nights trying to figure out how best to set up and maybe this is a roll the dice moment and prep for a siege - I dont remember too many times that this has actually worked i the end but it might be the most realistic way of getting through, might happen regardless of intentions, I dunno!

..

Pats have been set up exactly the same way for all 3 European ties - 3-4-2-1 - with the same personnel too except that Timmermans played the first game then Lennon took the place, and Billy King came in for Mark Doyle who was suspended after the first game. It may appear defensive (and the only goal they've conceded was a giveaway from their own throw-in) but in all three games against higher-ranked opposition they have created the greater number of chances. So I don't expect any change in formation, personnel or approach from yesterday.

**joey B** · 05/08/2022, 5:19 PM

Pats have over 4000 tickets sold already for their game next week,hopefully they can get over 6 at it …..

**placid casual** · 05/08/2022, 5:44 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Jays, you're some pessimist - I'm suggesting ye might lose ye're next three games and reach the groups, but even that's too hard!

In fairness I think you took me up wrong Stu.
Your post implied it should be straightforward for Rovers to qualify for group stages, and nothing is ever straightforward especially when Rovers play away in Europe.
Your right though that if we get past Skupi that the following game is essentially a free hit.

**pineapple stu** · 05/08/2022, 6:04 PM

Well ok, but given ye can now lose away from home and lose twice more and still make the groups, that's about as straightforward as it's going to get.

**Martinho II** · 05/08/2022, 8:13 PM

Delighted for St Pats Hristo Stoickov was at the game last night!

**Philosophizer** · 05/08/2022, 8:35 PM

Full highlights of last night's matches on the FAI YouTube page.

**Big Ears** · 05/08/2022, 8:50 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Well ok, but given ye can now lose away from home and lose twice more and still make the groups, that's about as straightforward as it's going to get.

*Unless the first game is lost by more than a goal and they don't win a shootout if it's by 2.

Which changes the scenario dramatically.

**ToberonaTornado** · 06/08/2022, 2:26 AM

Pats still in Bucharest so their game on Sunday will be p-p
Will be interesting to see what the FAI and league committee make of it all.

**Shinkicker** · 06/08/2022, 6:08 AM

Originally Posted by ToberonaTornado

Pats still in Bucharest so their game on Sunday will be p-p
Will be interesting to see what the FAI and league committee make of it all.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022...d-in-bulgaria/
Just can't understand this. I think they're giving the lads a wee break. In 1969 they got a man to the moon and in 2022 Pats can't get back from Bulgaria.

**pineapple stu** · 06/08/2022, 6:31 AM

Unable to secure a charter flight home?

Are they only finding this out now? That's very weird

**Shinkicker** · 06/08/2022, 6:50 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Unable to secure a charter flight home?

Are they only finding this out now? That's very weird

that's what I was thinking, either total gob****es or carefully planned hmmmm I wonder??

**patsdad** · 06/08/2022, 7:42 AM

In both the previous round and this one, Pats have had huge difficulties with charters being committed and then being cancelled. The same staffing issues that are screwing up the airlines and airports are playing havoc with charters too. But UEFA regulations currently require teams to use charters.

**total hoofball** · 06/08/2022, 7:43 AM

I don't know if Shels think the charter cancellation is legitimate or suspicious, either way there is no justifiable reason for the FAI to postpone the game, it should have been moved to Monday night if Pats are due to arrive Sunday morning, that would have still left Pats with 72 hours before their home game on Thursday night. Pats' problem shouldn't have been made to become Shels' problem