QuoteOk missed that, thanks Stu
They're set already aren't they?
Rovers play on the 9th and 16th. 11th and 18th for very Derry and Shels. 25th July and 1st August for Pat's (who start in the second round)
Ok missed that, thanks Stu
Any talk of TV coverage for any of the European games?
Rovers away leg on LOITV. That is all I’ve seen so far.Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
Random uneducated prediction time!
Games v Ireland + Iceland clubs are generally very tight, and whatever side wins often has to play very well to edge it. It'll be interesting to see what Vikingur are like, knowing nothing of the league, I imagine Breidablik were an exceptional side by Icelandic standards who Rovers really didn't treat with the respect they should of last season. I imagine they ended up not retaining the league due to playing 16 (I think?) games in Europe last season, and probably lost some good players in the off season.
I can't see Vikingur being quite as good, but neither are Rovers who seem to be declining year on year. I think Rovers could win if they learn from last season, decided to play more conservatively and ground it out, I'm thinking positive thoughts and thinking this will be Rover's final hurrah and Johnny Kenny will do something on the break.
Reckon Derry and Shelbourne should really be winning both legs at least certainly edging their way through. Think they'll all be in trouble in Round 2 if they make it. Gibraltar clubs are also in pre season, LOI clubs have a massive advantage there.
I'd give Pat's a solid shot against Vaduz, they're not bad, but they're Swiss 2nd tier and in pre season, they're wildly inconsistent from season to season in Europe, apparently lost their top scorer in the off season, hard to know but It's not the worst draw. Do it for the co efficient lads.
Last edited by Acornvilla; 07/07/2024 at 12:49 PM.
I think Rovers need to do the exact opposite. Ive been critical of them being too conservative in previous years, not taking games to the opposition, Bradley setting up negatively. When they had no choice but to go at teams chasing a result they showed that they could compete and beat but had left too much to do. Last year against Breidablik may have been an exception as Rovers struggled to lay a glove on them at all. They were an exceptionally good side, strong and athletic, techncally good and well organised - made Rovers look like part-timers at best who physically couldnt get close neve mind just being off their game. They did move the ball a bit quicker in spells but the Icelandics were also able to just drop, soak up a bit of pressure and then break with effect. I thought they'd have picked better results but maybe Rovers made them look very good too. For the record Dundalk dominated possession but also laboured against a well drilled and efficient side that were lethal on the break and KA werent really a top Icelandic side - I think they were strugling doestically when we played them.
I think like Irish football Icelandic sides that qualify can be quite different to the side that actually plays in Europe the following summer so Rovers could well be capable of winning the tie but domestic form and not having that zip in play, habit of winning, makes it a hard call in advance.
Where's our annual visiting Icelandic football cheerleader this year?
I had thought Rovers played way too openly in Iceland last time out, like they did the same in Estonia before, tried to close down and dominate sides they weren't quite able for and getting cut open, unable to adapt. They're performances that stick with me and lead me to think Bradley hasn't learned how to manage at the next level yet. I know absolutely nothing about Vikingur, so who knows, maybe that approach would work this time.
Last edited by Acornvilla; 07/07/2024 at 3:05 PM.
https://x.com/shelsfc/status/1809954...wt91t0p-A&s=19
Shels home game available for €10.
*Shelbourne FC is currently liaising with St Joseph’s with regards to streaming arrangements for the away leg. Updates will be provided as soon as they are received.
Any idea what Tolka Park seating capacity will be for the first leg?
Richmond Road Stand 1,800 seats
Riverside Stand 2,500 seats
I haven't heard anything firm about the exact numbers permitted but I can't see every seat being used as some will probably be blocked off so I'd take a guess it's no more than 4,000
The Leinster Senior League needs a strong Bohemians
Will Shels have to move to the Tallaght Stadium, if they advance further in the UEFA Conference as their ground is not up to the necessary regulation facilities!
Rovers away tomorrow. Sure, Vikingur will be a tough tie but Rovers still have it in them to go through over the 2 legs.
Up to last season their home form in Europe was excellent so they will be expecting to be strong in Tallaght. They won’t be underestimating this crowd, either, which I think they did a bit before the 1st leg last year. Also, even though they don’t say it publicly, they know the league is gone so Europe and the cup are big so they can go for it more.
The aim as usual is to still be alive going into the 2nd leg. A one goal defeat or even better a draw and they are well in it. I really do think this is a 50/50 tie.
Its all speculation and ye never know on the day but Rovers squad hasnt changed that much over the last few years so: Bratislava, showed too much respect away and lost 2-0, at home leveled the tie when they had to chase things and imo were robbed with a foul leading up to the annual LoI sucker punch goal. Teuta ended up being poorer than expected. Flora and it was lessons not learned with a conservative approach (Dundalk beat Levadia, +scaring Vitesse and with Zahibo, Nattestad and Abibi in the side, Bohs mixing it up with PAOK after beating Icelandic opposition well albeit Sligo lost to similar opposition). By comparison of Irish sides ending in the same competition and similar opposition, for the champions pathway Rovers under performed and it wasnt due to squad ability or absences but due to tactical misjudgement ie a Caulfield like approcah to playing away from home and it backfiring. Some poor luck too in fairness.
2023 Ludogorets away, played it conservatively, understandable, but didnt try to put any pressure on at all, at 2-0 and last 20 mins showed that they had the measure of the Bulgarians. The injury time goal that looked like it killed the tie was partially chasing a goal to keep things alive, arguablly naive, some calamity defending, but Rovers showed they could compete, when they needed to their credit at home they had a go and won but should have had a similar approach away imo.
In to the ifs and buts = they could have leveled the tie would have bar injury time goals in both legs. There was a cautious approach that looked like a lack of belief, led to a lack of composure and the late goals were due to scrambling for a result that they could well have been in control of. Shkupi should have been finished off a lot earlier in the tie too, it ended up comfprtable with Rovers own injury time goal but it was more stressful for Rovers fans than it needed to be. Ferencvaros twice is just a mismatch all day long and hard to know whether Rovers stepped up after each 1st leg or Ferenc were going through the motions. Breidablik has already been commented on but still not sure if they were as good as they looked or Rovers were very poor. ECL groups games, maybe Rovers were prioritising the league but they were lacklustre and especially away from home were well in their shell. I recall thinking have a go, its not knockout football now but it was all laboured and not at all reflective of the calibre of player in the squad. I think it was partially due to Bradley's tactical mindset and also the lack of toe to toe league run in. Its possible that there could be more fight in Rovers this season because there is an actual battle for the league. If I were a Vikingur fan, looking at seedings, league table and results over the last few years Id be thinking progression is very possible rather than just hopeful. If Jacks back in full fettle of course it will be a cake walk....
That Vaduz game is a second round tie of course, so getting a bit ahead of things there.
Rovers should be winning their tie but it's hard to look beyond being beaten home and away by a part-time Icelandic side last year, and having gone backwards since. The Gibraltar sides - oriel (I think it was?) made a good point about the heat out there being a factor. Maybe 2-3-1 is a solid result from the first round (Rovers to draw at home and lose away; Shels/Derry to draw away and win at home) and anything else is a bonus?
Though even that's a pretty poor set of results when you really look at it.
I think all the clubs in Europe can play at home for the first 2 rounds, then it's Tallaght. I'm almost sure I read something ages ago that Tolka passed whatever was required to do rnd 2.Will Shels have to move to the Tallaght Stadium, if they advance further in the UEFA Conference as their ground is not up to the necessary regulation facilities!
Shels apparently had to make the pitch narrower to meet UEFA regulations.
https://x.com/stephenkellyyyy/status/1810406562760155487?s=46
Bit of a mad one if true. I wouldn’t have thought of Tolka as being an overly wide pitch
Paaatrick's Agletic
That just sounds bizarre. I know there is a minimum width and length for pitches, but it’s the first time I’ve heard of having to make a pitch smaller. As you say Tolka wouldn’t seem to be a big pitch anyway.
Out for a spell, got neglected, lay on the bench unselected.
In what way is it getting ahead of anything. ? I know it’s not this week, but the game is fixed and Pats are in round 2. Not like they haven’t qualified for it yet.
Out for a spell, got neglected, lay on the bench unselected.
Yeah it’s also strange that FAI regulations seemingly allow a pitch to be wider than UEFA's regulations do
Paaatrick's Agletic
Maybe it's the distance between the perimeter wall and the sideline?
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks