LoI in Europe 2024

[dundalkfc10]

That's an absolute disgrace if that happens, guarantee I'd there was a GAA match on it wouldn't be cancelled. Typical of the contempt we are held in, although I'll postpone my rant until it happens

Dodge the Pats fan on Twitter seems like he has been told that's the reason it's going to be called off

The Louth Senior Championship is starting Sunday too with 3 games on during the day, but to be honest I've never seen a Gardai at a club match in Louth unless it was a semi final or final

[Acornvilla]

I think there's no issue with Dundalk and before them Galway pushing to play the matches, but I think it's a decision the FAI should have taken out of everyone's hands and made a ruling on. Given both teams are out of the cup there is plenty of time left in the season to refix it. There should be a portion of all Euro money won ringfenced to compensate clubs who get their fixtures moved or something to soften the blow.

I'm a big believer in something like 10% of all euro money won by clubs being redistributed in to the rest of the league, but that's another conversation for another day.

The season needs to be extended by a fortnight probably and a lot of this would be less of a problem, if clubs in the PD are already operating on 52 week contracts.

[Kiki Balboa]

Guards never miss an excuse to not do work....

[pineapple stu]

A response that only highlights the skewed view of most on here about Rovers "achievements" , citing PAOK as the 1st half decent team Rovers met. A real student would have noted that of the teams Rovers have faced in Europe this year ,ALL of them are still in European competition so perhaps,just perhaps it wasn't just pub teams Rovers have faced.
Unless I'm mistaken Rovers have only played teams who have won their leagues so far.

Of course they're all still in Europe this year - Champions League have to get knocked out about 17 times to be eliminated from Europe. Let's see how Rovers manage in the Conference League next year.

Both Viking and Celje have beaten Flora Tallinn (a good side, you'll no doubt tell us!) and Viking also beat Egnatia from Albania. That's it. Celje lost to Pyunik of Armenia in the play-off round last night; Viking beat an Andorran side. Sabah or Vaduz would probably be a stronger side than Viking. The Azeri league is ranked ahead of the Slovenian league too.

Though I am wrong that Rovers got ****ed on by the first half-decent side they met alright. They got ****ed on by the second half-decent side they met; I'd forgotten the Sparta Prague drubbing.

The idea that Rovers' results out-do Pat's results purely because of the competition they were in (with no reference to the opposition, the actual results, the performances, etc) doesn't stack up. (Which, to be clear, is the point I'm arguing. Ye're in the groups and well done - the new format is designed to really encourage that)

[Kiki Balboa]

https://x.com/DundalkFC/status/18269...CiLqN2ydQ&s=19

Dundalk still think it is on.

Maybe all just rumours.

[Kiki Balboa]

Of course they're all still in Europe this year - Champions League have to get knocked out about 17 times to be eliminated from Europe. Let's see how Rovers manage in the Conference League next year.

Both Viking and Celje have beaten Flora Tallinn (a good side, you'll no doubt tell us!) and Viking also beat Egnatia from Albania. That's it. Celje lost to Pyunik of Armenia in the play-off round last night; Viking beat an Andorran side. Sabah or Vaduz would probably be a stronger side than Viking. The Azeri league is ranked ahead of the Slovenian league too.

Though I am wrong that Rovers got ****ed on by the first half-decent side they met alright. They got ****ed on by the second half-decent side they met; I'd forgotten the Sparta Prague drubbing.

The idea that Rovers' results out-do Pat's results purely because of the competition they were in (with no reference to the opposition, the actual results, the performances, etc) doesn't stack up. (Which, to be clear, is the point I'm arguing. Ye're in the groups and well done - the new format is designed to really encourage that)

I don't see how it is controversial to say Kenny has an excellent record in Europe, while Bradley has been disappointing.

Rovers have been there consistently, and have had a lot of parachutes into the other competitions. They have a fair few bad results, and no great ones really.

They fail the eye test too in Europe, often look so easy to beat once they go up a standard. Ties are normally always over after the first leg against anyway decent teams. That's the most disappointing thing with Bradley and Rovers. They just can't keep things tight.

They could be worse, but really they don't stack up at all to Kenny (who inexplicably decided to play a much more bullsh*tty brand of football for Ireland).

When you really analyse it, they have been helped massively by the UEFA changes and their consistency in the LOI, which have helped build their coefficients, to get some easier draws. They can go through to the group stages now while always being the seeded team, which is their main achievement, and shouldn't be sneezed at.

If it wasn't for that, there would have been a lot of one-and-done Champions League ties (where Rovers have done very little), like before.

[Acornvilla]

Bradley's stats are definitely skewed in that he's managed the best team in the easiest period there has ever been to win rounds in Europe as champions. He deserves immense credit for building Rovers in to that team initially and maintaining it, but there's been as many disappointing losses to middling small sides in Europe in matches where I think peak LOI champions of old Shels/Drogheda/Bohs and Dundalk would have won, than there has been unexpected positive results, with the occasional absolute hammering in there. He's doing par at best with what he has to work with IMO. I think attempts to be overly critical or positive about his and Rovers' record are off the mark.

Pat's run this season is very impressive even if they get hammered in Turkey now. 3 wins and 2 draws in 5 matches does not happen very often. I am old enough to remember no one really expecting them to beat Vaduz

[pineapple stu]

Are there full coefficient points in playoff games?

No - they're still qualifying round games.

On that note actually, we remain in 33rd after the recent games, though Kosovo are only 0.041 ahead of us. They only have Drita left though, who lost 2-0 away to Legia in the Conference League play-offs last night and are unlikely to make the groups. So effectively unless we lose every game between now and the end of the season (possible, but highly unlikely you'd hope!) we'll be up to 32nd.

Moldova are next in line, but they're 2.000 ahead of us and Petrocub are also in the Conference League groups. So we'd need to get four group wins more than them to catch them - which isn't going to happen.

Armenia are one place and 0.500 behind us - they have two teams in the Conference League play-offs, and both won last night. FC Noah won 3-0 against Slovakian opposition so barring a disaster they'll be in the groups. Pyunik beat Celje 1-0 so that one is more finely balanced. They're having a fantastic season - fifth in the UEFA standings this season, albeit with the bigger leagues yet to even start - and they could easily catch us yet. 0.500 is just one group stage win.

Latvia and Iceland are also within a point of us and both will have teams in the group stages - RFS (who beat APOEL 2-1 in the Europa League play-offs last night - they probably won't hold that in Cyprus, though ironically coefficient-wise it's better to be in the Conference League groups anyway; more chance of results) and Viking, who are 5-0 up on Santa Coloma.

Then you have other countries ranked below us who'll have teams in the groups -

Finland or the Faroes, both 1.250 behind us. KÍ 2-2 HJK was the first leg in the Conference League play-offs last night
Bosnia, 1.875 behind us. Borac Banja Luka drew 0-0 in Hungary in the Europa League play-offs last night, but are guaranteed the Conference League groups
Wales (in all probability), 5.833 behind us. TNS won 3-0 in Lithuania in the Conference League play-offs last night
Belarus, 6.500 behind us. Dinamo Minsk lost 1-0 at home to Anderlecht in the Europa League play-offs last night, but are guaranteed the Conference League groups
The North or Gibraltar, 4.517 and 6.543 behind us respectively. Lincoln Red Imps beat Larne 2-1 at home in the Conference League play-offs last night

Kazakhstan and Lithuania both still have clubs too but they lost 2-0 and 3-0 last night so they're not going any further.

Interesting to note Serbia's slump continues - they're the joint lowest-ranked nation in the entire of Europe this year, alongside Liechtenstein, and behind even San Marino. All three sides lost this week - their record this year is 2 wins and 1 draw from 13 games. We're 23rd overall this year, but will fall a few places as the likes of Switzerland and Turkey enter the tournament. Could well still end the year in the top 30 I'd say.

Also, Russia's ranking appears no longer protected - they score 0.000 for this year, compared to 4.333 for the last two years. If they're still banned next year that means they'll be dropping down to within range of us. Though it's moot I guess so long as they're banned. When they're let back in (which I assume will happen at some stage) they'll be nasty unseeded teams though.

[Acornvilla]

Looking like we drop behind Armenia but pass Kosovo before the year is out and stay in 33rd. With Rovers seeded in 4th, you'd hope they get at least a win and a draw somewhere along the way in the groups to stay ahead of the chasing pack, they are long overdue a group stage win. I am not expecting a Pat's miracle, but lets light a candle anyway. I won't be surprised if Rovers get a result in Tallaght next week, PAOK will likely take it handy.

[CorribsideSteve]

Lol yeah we didn't push it home at all shame we missed out on winning the league in 23 and 24......lols. missing out on winning the champions league last year was disappointing but I think real Madrid had a bit to much for us

I'm pretty sure he was referring to Europe where the last 2 seasons since the '22 conference group stages have repeatedly shown Rovers flatter to deceive.

[legendz]

Did Pat's push for their first leg to be on a Wednesday? The six day turnaround is the cause of the problem. For seven day turnarounds, league games should go ahead. Pat's ideally should be playing Thursday to Thursday in Europe.

[pineapple stu]

I'm pretty sure he was referring to Europe where the last 2 seasons since the '22 conference group stages have repeatedly shown Rovers flatter to deceive.

While I'd say that's the larger part of it, Rovers haven't exactly pressed things home in the league either. Instead they've been allowing others to consistently catch up with the inevitable conclusion seen this year. Partly that's because there's been little enough investment in the squad - and when Bradley did have to rebuild, he effectively replaced Alan Mannus with Lee Steacy, and promoted Pohls to number 1, which most Rovers fans here have criticised.

Next season, with Kenny having put his stamp on the Pat's squad and (in all probability) Derry or Shels having the Champions League money will be interesting.

BTW, highlights of the Rovers game are below. Will have a root around for Pat's too

[pineapple stu]

Pat's highlights -

[CamacSaint91]

Did Pat's push for their first leg to be on a Wednesday? The six day turnaround is the cause of the problem. For seven day turnarounds, league games should go ahead. Pat's ideally should be playing Thursday to Thursday in Europe.

Not at all. 3 teams from Istanbul all in european competitions this week and all at home 2nd leg so games had to be moved around

[dundalkfc10]

Did Pat's push for their first leg to be on a Wednesday? The six day turnaround is the cause of the problem. For seven day turnarounds, league games should go ahead. Pat's ideally should be playing Thursday to Thursday in Europe.

I think it's on Weds as there is another Conference league game in Turkey Thursday night and also a Europa League tie

[patsdad]

Did Pat's push for their first leg to be on a Wednesday? The six day turnaround is the cause of the problem. For seven day turnarounds, league games should go ahead. Pat's ideally should be playing Thursday to Thursday in Europe.

There are 3 European games in Istanbul next week. They must be played on different days and UEFA decides which is which.

[holidaysong]

Also, Russia's ranking appears no longer protected - they score 0.000 for this year, compared to 4.333 for the last two years. If they're still banned next year that means they'll be dropping down to within range of us. Though it's moot I guess so long as they're banned. When they're let back in (which I assume will happen at some stage) they'll be nasty unseeded teams though.

UEFA have assigned their 4.333 at the end of the season in the last couple of years. I'd expect them to just do the same again. Most sites put it as 0.000 until it's officially confirmed.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

anyone hear anything about the Dundalk v Pats game possibly being called off on Sunday due to a usual suspect scumbags anti immigrant protest arranged in the town for an hour before kick off ?

[legendz]

There are 3 European games in Istanbul next week. They must be played on different days and UEFA decides which is which.

Pat's possibly could have pushed for the first leg to be on Wednesday as well? Then they could play Dundalk on Saturday with 4 days for the second leg.

[oriel]

I don't see how it is controversial to say Kenny has an excellent record in Europe, while Bradley has been disappointing.

Rovers have been there consistently, and have had a lot of parachutes into the other competitions. They have a fair few bad results, and no great ones really.

They fail the eye test too in Europe, often look so easy to beat once they go up a standard. Ties are normally always over after the first leg against anyway decent teams. That's the most disappointing thing with Bradley and Rovers. They just can't keep things tight.

They could be worse, but really they don't stack up at all to Kenny (who inexplicably decided to play a much more bullsh*tty brand of football for Ireland).

When you really analyse it, they have been helped massively by the UEFA changes and their consistency in the LOI, which have helped build their coefficients, to get some easier draws. They can go through to the group stages now while always being the seeded team, which is their main achievement, and shouldn't be sneezed at.

If it wasn't for that, there would have been a lot of one-and-done Champions League ties (where Rovers have done very little), like before.

Important point to note also, if the ECL and changes to parachute system was around 2017 onwards, you would have had a good chance of Cork City making the group stages in 2018, Dundalk in 2019 (and possibly 2017 also).

Winning the league now, its almost impossible to fxxx up not getting to the Conference Group stages, via that route, much harder on the journey Pats are on, serious hard games to get to the play off, and now only 90 mins away, but that said odds are stacked against them, maybe 30/70, but they have a chance.