Diallo made a big, big difference when brought on I thought. Really noticeable that he got the ball to feet and tried to play it sharply and intelligently.
That being said always sad to see our neighbours struggle so if we were to finish 2nd by an amount of points that made the extra 2 here irrelevant and Harps were to end up goal difference short of survival I would have accepted 1-1.
Pats have also only scored one goal in the 3 games v Dundalk this season, and that was an effectively an OG, possibly was going in, but that said its a long way to go and granted we slipped to 3rd tonight (if you pick up one point from 6 last 2 games don't deserve anything else) but Pats are not making ground on the auto euro spots currently.
For us, nothing will change my view, 2nd or 3rd, either or, both would achieve the target post p6 of qualifying for europe and back on track. That would be a great season and total recovery.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), first Irish club to win points in a group stage in Europe (2016).
If UCD played Sligo every week they’d have a shot at Europe!
Irish by birth ,Harps by the grace of god.
I think it's generous to Doyle to assume it was going in but we'll take what we can get The Tunde misses were the main one really, those are guilt edge chances that should be getting buried and suddenly our season looks a tad more promising, but constantly failing to pick up wins against the sides around us has been the killer this season.
Think the new signings plus the returns of Barrett and Lennon will improve us, but still and all I think it's a battle to finish 4th and hope that'll sort Europe rather than overtaking Derry or Dundalk right now. Can't say I've been hugely impressed by Dundalk on the rare occasions I've seen them this season, but it can't be denied that they've made themselves incredibly difficult to beat this season which is a great base to build from. Think Derry have shown a higher ceiling this season but with much more inconsistencies, at least of late.
A lot of other fans are saying this, and to an extent its fair as away form in short has been very poor, 2 wins, and all of our defeats (3), dreadful performances away in Drogs (first series) and UCD, a lame effort in Tallaght all notable mentions. However its the home form that has been really impressive, with 9 wins and 2 draws, no defeats, only Rovers have a slightly better record.
That said away form / results have to improve, as relying on home wins won't be enough to maintain top 3 and auto euro qualification.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), first Irish club to win points in a group stage in Europe (2016).
Second half subs really helped change the game, though Derry still struggled to create much from open play. We've been lucky against Harps this year, three late goals in all the games.
I think Harps fans are being a wee bit over-critical. Yes, Derry dominated the game (77% posssession), but we only managed three shots on target the entire game. Harps were superb slowing the game down, making a nuisance of themselves. They also picked up an impressive seven yellow cards, Mihaljevic's for blocking Maher from a quick throw-out being a highlight.
Saw a recording on social media of Horgan giving off the players after the game. Some choice language used, but he reckons they just don't care enough.
As an aside, the pitch was the best I've seen it in ages. Still not level or anything, but better than usual.
Saw that clip too. Saying they’re going to get relegated and they don’t give an f is one thing, players may take that and want to prove him wrong to prove that they do care or whatever. The second comment however calling them C's can’t have gone down too well I’d imagine in a dressing room of modern day footballers. They wouldn’t see that as a constructive criticism that they can try to actively change, more of an outright insult purely meant to disrespect them.
Probably a standard enough dressing down from a manager in years gone by but I think Ollie's ‘old school’ managerial style is starting to go against him in this current scenario.
The clip however did get me thinking how needed behind the scenes LOI doc is such as the Netflix/Amazon ones at big European clubs. I enjoyed the Rod squad one but it’s been 10 years since that now. Bring the people what they want!!
Paaatrick's Agletic
It was Gavin Dykes not Ollie
Not that surprising in a dressing room that just lost a local derby after being 1 nil up.
Even Pepe loses the rag occasionally.
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