LOI In Europe 2025

[Nesta99]

Shels are epitomising the key facet of Iirsh sport, plucky, moral victories, missed oppotunities, results not always reflecting effort. It is the most annoying thing for a club and fans, feels like bad luck but really its just lacking that ruthless streak especially at finishing chances when the do come like John Martin - not really up to it at that level when 1 good chance needs to be one goal in Europe really. Kilduffs miss in extra time v Rosenborg one of those should have been moments that haunts me. How Shels were fading in the league, I think they can be happy with the season in retrospect. The group stage experience will stand to them and Joey looks like a manager that is improving them in decent increments and they are suited to European football. If they can add a more lethal striker, not easy, but if they unearth one then next season they wont be far away from a title tilt and another (good) European run.

[Nesta99]

Jaysis lads im flippin lovin it but what would you rather finish the season with a full house night pushing for a place in europe or a nithing game with 3500 there? Wanting to finish on a high doeant diminish the season.

Are we not allowed hope for a good finish?

Soesnt seem controversial to me

Nothing wrong with having high standards, wanting to extend the season to knockout with a couple of game remaining that results are possible. Doesnt lack appreciation for the season as a whole when you know its not sbgawa's form.

[ontheotherhand]

Jaysis lads im flippin lovin it but what would you rather finish the season with a full house night pushing for a place in europe or a nithing game with 3500 there? Wanting to finish on a high doeant diminish the season.

Are we not allowed hope for a good finish?

Soesnt seem controversial to me

You said the worst game of the season was the night we lifted the league trophy in front of 7,200 fans. We've won a cup since then. I had a great night bouncing around with the mgmt and players that night. I do not care at all what happens in Europe. We already achieved something amazing in Europe. You can't say anything is an anticlimax when it's all a bonus. That's just me tho. You're a bit of a glass half full man and we need those too.

I'll see you in the Suite if the Hamrun game is meaningless and we only get a measly 3500 to it. We can drown our sorrows by drinking out of the league and cup trophies.

[sbgawa]

Ill be there alright , i was one of the 1600 or so at the Longford and Wexford matches, ive been around long enough to know the good times.

[ontheotherhand]

Ill be there alright , i was one of the 1600 or so at the Longford and Wexford matches, ive been around long enough to know the good times.

Mate. These are the good times. You don't need to have been around a long time. Enjoy them regardless of how many other people show up.

[sbgawa]

you can be sure these are the good times, i was there for the last double in 87 and then went 23 years with one league and one relegation not to mention the homeless bit.

[ontheotherhand]

you can be sure these are the good times, i was there for the last double in 87 and then went 23 years with one league and one relegation not to mention the homeless bit.

Then..... honestly, why are you so negative about everything?

[geysir]

As it stands now, considering that this game is imo 50/50, Rovers have a better chance than Breidablik to reach the KO round by virtue of their last game at home being against a most beatable team who in all likelihood will have nowt to play for, whereas Breidablik have Strasbourg away. But what stands in Rovers' way obviously is Breidablik and also will Rovers have the mettle to play to form (as they will have to) in a December ice drenched windy night up north? In those Conf L games from 2023 I'd say Rovers played poorly and had no effective tactical plan, much below what I've seen of them this season. In Breidablik's favour is that their (winningiest) popular coach has just returned a few games ago, badly needed and to good effect, and Breidablik broke their bank to sign up 2 of the best young players in the league, one in particular August Orri (signed from Genoa) is the outstanding attacking skillful player that Rovers will have to manage. Rovers can't just repeat what they did to Vikingur and hope to win.

[sbgawa]

Then..... honestly, why are you so negative about everything?

Maybe it comes accross as negative but i am really dissapointed with our supporters this season, our average attemdance is down, our cup ttendances have been poor, i just think that some of the newer supporters are taking it all for granted. This isnt normal
The sligo game for me was evidence of that we were lifting the trophy and the atmosphere was at best ok in a stadium that wasnt full.
You were obviously in the inner sanctum for the party afterwards but for me it didnt feel like it should have..........first world problems i know.

[sbgawa]

As it stands now, considering that this game is imo 50/50, Rovers have a better chance than Breidablik to reach the KO round by virtue of their last game at home being against a most beatable team who in all likelihood will have nowt to play for, whereas Breidablik have Strasbourg away. But what stands in Rovers' way obviously is Breidablik and also will Rovers have the mettle to play to form (as they will have to) in a December ice drenched windy night up north? In those Conf L games from 2023 I'd say Rovers played poorly and had no effective tactical plan, much below what I've seen of them this season. In Breidablik's favour is that their (winningiest) popular coach has just returned a few games ago, badly needed and to good effect, and Breidablik broke their bank to sign up 2 of the best young players in the league, one in particular August Orri (signed from Genoa) is the outstanding attacking skillful player that Rovers will have to manage. Rovers can't just repeat what they did to Vikingur and hope to win.

I expect us to win we have faced 4 teams so far that are all in the top 10 of the league as things stand and all could qualify automatically.
Our problem might be that having faced 4 top teams our goal difference even with 7 points might see us out. we need a couple of goals from somewhere agaisnt one ot both

[BigEars]

Maybe it comes accross as negative but i am really dissapointed with our supporters this season, our average attemdance is down, our cup ttendances have been poor, i just think that some of the newer supporters are taking it all for granted. This isnt normal
The sligo game for me was evidence of that we were lifting the trophy and the atmosphere was at best ok in a stadium that wasnt full.
You were obviously in the inner sanctum for the party afterwards but for me it didnt feel like it should have..........first world problems i know.

Familiarity breeds contempt, some Rovers supporters have gotten so used to winning now (bar the Shels blip) that anything other than winning the league seems like failure, and winning the league doesn't even seem like an achievement.

As a non Rovers fan I do have a concern that Rovers are going to ruin the league somewhat by dominating it. Like Ferencvaros or Dinamo Zagreb or Rosenborg used to, only the very odd season will somebody else win and most of their season will be gauged on performance in Europe.

No problem with Rovers maintaining being more successful than other sides over time but if the next 5 years repeat the 5 just gone, interest in the league will likely start to wane from lack of competition.

[ontheotherhand]

Maybe it comes accross as negative but i am really dissapointed with our supporters this season, our average attemdance is down, our cup ttendances have been poor, i just think that some of the newer supporters are taking it all for granted. This isnt normal
The sligo game for me was evidence of that we were lifting the trophy and the atmosphere was at best ok in a stadium that wasnt full.
You were obviously in the inner sanctum for the party afterwards but for me it didnt feel like it should have..........first world problems i know.

Our average attendance is down by 50 or so over the last 3 years. We average 5990. No other club comes close. Even bohs when they include the Aviva crowd. As they do. Which is funny.

There were 7200 people in the stadium against Sligo. I know bradser wasn't happy with it. Which I understand. But any other club in the league would bite your hand off for a crowd that big.

[sbgawa]

Things rarely last forever big ears when we won the double in 87 and 4 in a row i nevwr thought we wouls go best part of 25 yeara with one win. Livwrpooldominated the 80s ans went 30× years bwforw winning again. Man u
...⁰in 2014 it fwlt like they would keep on winning. Rangwrs went al.osr 10 in a row with gazza. Thats why u cant take stuff for granted........i apprecite uour worry although i would love it to happen but its far from guaranteed

[sbgawa]

Our average attendance is down by 50 or so over the last 3 years. We average 5990. No other club comes close. Even bohs when they include the Aviva crowd. As they do. Which is funny.

There were 7200 people in the stadium against Sligo. I know bradser wasn't happy with it. Which I understand. But any other club in the league would bite your hand off for a crowd that big.

Bradser wasnt happy..............why is he being so negative ............or maybe he realises that people are taking stuff for granted ...like im saying.
Glad to know he agreed with me amyway

[geysir]

I expect us to win we have faced 4 teams so far that are all in the top 10 of the league as things stand and all could qualify automatically.
Our problem might be that having faced 4 top teams our goal difference even with 7 points might see us out. we need a couple of goals from somewhere agaisnt one ot both

Your problem is first to beat Breidablik, the rest is fanciful, to be dealt with after that
fact, but regardless Breidablik loves a sucker.

[ontheotherhand]

Bradser wasnt happy..............why is he being so negative ............or maybe he realises that people are taking stuff for granted ...like im saying.
Glad to know he agreed with me amyway

To be honest, you come across as if you're taking it for granted a bit yourself. If you can't enjoy a league win and you think the season will limp to a finish if we don't get out of the league phase.....then I don't know. The atmosphere might be a bit flat if everyone around you has the same outlook.

Bradley was talking about the crowd numbers specifically. I think he's wrong fwiw. 7200 is a good LoI crowd by any measure. We had a game on the Wednesday as well. 5200 at it. I think the club can and needs to do more to grow the fanbase but you're not really selling the experience yourself if it's all doom and gloom after a double. 😂

[ger121]

Rovers haven’t had a lot of goals in them so far in the league stage. Granted they played 4 sides who are currently ranked, 3rd, 4th, 10th & 11th.
I just wonder even with 2 wins, is the GD going to be a bridge too far. Happened to Hearts last year. 7 may not even be enough this year. Some stattos are saying 8 points could be the bench mark this season. The competition is definitely stronger this season.
Myself, I think they draw in Iceland, who are good at home and beat Hamrun in Tallaght. 5 points would not be a bad return considering they got a much tougher draw this year. They’ll probably be back for another crack next season.

[ger121]

Shels are epitomising the key facet of Iirsh sport, plucky, moral victories, missed oppotunities, results not always reflecting effort. It is the most annoying thing for a club and fans, feels like bad luck but really its just lacking that ruthless streak especially at finishing chances when the do come like John Martin - not really up to it at that level when 1 good chance needs to be one goal in Europe really. Kilduffs miss in extra time v Rosenborg one of those should have been moments that haunts me. How Shels were fading in the league, I think they can be happy with the season in retrospect. The group stage experience will stand to them and Joey looks like a manager that is improving them in decent increments and they are suited to European football. If they can add a more lethal striker, not easy, but if they unearth one then next season they wont be far away from a title tilt and another (good) European run.

For Shels this season, I think of Rovers in 2022. They got a couple points at home but scored once in 6 games. Big jump in class when you reach a group or league stage but the more times you participate, the better you become. If Shels were to make it back in the next 2-3 years, you would think they’ll learn from their mistakes and the performances would be improved. Be nice if they could score at least one goal.