Ucd (a)

[culloty82]

Perhaps not quite make or break for the management yet (one presumes he'll be given until the mid-season break to turn things around),but some form of point will be imperative tonight as we visit Belfield. The Students haven't exactly been prolific in recent weeks, not scoring more than once in their last six games, though a single goal sufficed for victory at Mounthawk Park. We know that Stanic-Floody is definitely out tonight, and Alabi has hardly done himself any favours with recent displays, but can a starting XI similar to that which finished last week's game be expected? A 1-1 draw isn't impossible, but would require full concentration for the entire 90 minutes tonight.

[legendz]

A night for back to basics. Set out to keep a clean sheet and anything more is a bonus.

[legendz]

I wasn't expecting two penalty saves to be required to keep the clean sheet!! With two home games to come, need to look at picking up consecutive wins. RK's injury will be a concern.

[Zico]

A rub of the green at last!!
My doubts that the dressing room was gone were put to bed tonight, the players put a big shift in for the manager.
The back 5 works well for us with our depth at center half and the players look comfortable in it as the game went on. We had 2 makeshift wing backs though, whatever about KW, I have no idea how we got away with Dunne at left wing back (credit to him though).

[legendz]

The players put in a shift alright. During an injury in the final quarter, the players were gathered around the manager taking in instructions. The body language seemed focused.
Got out of jail with the penalty saves though. Giving any referee a decision to make is asking for trouble. They have got to improve their discipline and have cool heads. A reckless free at the edge of the box was conceded as well.

[dansultheman]

Since that change of formation to 5-3-2 after the disaster last week in the opening 12 minutes, it seems that is the best suited for the team at the minute. It's making them hard to beat! 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 has us very vulnerable and you could see teams flying down the full backs.

Am I right in saying last year, when we went on a great run, but drawing, we were playing 5-3-2? Then we got a win and stuck to the 4-3-3?? Kelliher and Okuwute will cause havoc to any 1st Division backline! Seems the way forward.

Since 5-3-2

2-2 (75 mins) vs Bray although conceded a last minute goal pushing for an equalizer
1-0 (90 mins) vs UCD

Id expect a huge display next week at home to Treaty. Currently 8 points ahead of us in 4th, a win claws them back to 5 points and then we play Wexford who occupy 5th!!!

A massive two games ahead and if they can get the clubs first ever back to back wins, no reason we can't beat a Wexford team we already beat away to rescue a season that looked so bleak last week!

[Zico]

I do like the 5-3-1-1 formation, but you do need wing backs that can get up and down all day long which we don’t have. Gleason has played the position before and he definitely has the athleticism for it, but not sure who can do it on the left side. I would still give O’Connell another shot - he offers a lot going forward and with McQueen playing on left side of 3 C/H’s he can tuck in and cover him when needed. Dan gets more freedom too in this formation and his pace obviously can terrorize teams - we are better on counter attack too with him further up and more central.

The center halves all looked comfortable in it last night, Brookwell can slot in anywhere to be fair, and McQueen is naturally left sided so the balance is good. We did try pass a bit more around the back last night and if we can string a few results together then confidence will grow in the formation.

If I remember correctly when we started to string a few good performance’s together in first season leading up to Drogheda cup game, I think we had 5 at the back too with KW playing wing back in that game also.

I thought Mujaguzi had a nice cameo when he came on last night, he didn’t panick on the ball and was involved in a few nice passing moves up their end to wind down the clock. Teahans continued growth and importance to the team was evident again last night - his driving runs are a joy to watch. Like Dan - needs to find a better end product at times.