Eircom League Review: Week 1

**pete** · 11/03/2006, 8:09 PM

No real surprises except Shels dropping 2 points given they would have better fitness with Setanta Cup. Looks like will be 2 tier league again with top 4 & then the others.

Won't know much more for a few weeks yet.

**chippie0001** · 11/03/2006, 9:02 PM

I expect Shels and Cork to be the top two and by the end of the first 11 games be a little ahead. I would have Drogheda and Derry for 3rd and 4th and well both of those got off to good wins. Maybe one or both will be able to keep pace with the top two over the season but doubt Shels will make the same mistakes as last season.

After that I think it will be tight enough. Waterford got a good away point, Dublin City and UCd did not disgeace themselves. Bohs and Pats look like last year in a way but I think pats will be stronger. All in all, apart from the top 4 all other positions are there to play for and after last night I would not be hopefull we will be in the top 5/6.

**pete** · 11/03/2006, 9:07 PM

IMO Shels are getting worse not better. Their midfield & defense from Bray game wouldn't scare anyone.

**CollegeTillIDie** · 11/03/2006, 9:48 PM

With Steve Williams back in goal they will win again.

**Roo69** · 11/03/2006, 9:52 PM

Originally Posted by pete

IMO Shels are getting worse not better. Their midfield & defense from Bray game wouldn't scare anyone.

But the thing that does scare people is when i looked at there bench, Kearney and Ndo sitting waiting to come on. Ndo looked excellent when he came on, can't for the life of me understand why he did'nt start ? especially seeing as we had a centre half (Wes Charles) making his 1st ever apperence in central midfield.

Cork were playing at home against a newley promoted team and won 1 nil, nothing what so ever to write home about. Shels on the other hand were away from home on a biterly cold and windy night in the Carlisle Grounds and drew 2-2 and with a better final ball could have won the match.

Out of all the title hopefulls Drogs and Derry had the most impressive opening day wins IMO.

**Dodge** · 11/03/2006, 10:57 PM

1st week tells nothing. Setanta teams should have an advantage as settling in. Most others have big changes. It'll take while for league to settle. Would expect the top 4 to remain the same though

**Block G Raptor** · 11/03/2006, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Roo69

Out of all the title hopefulls Drogs and Derry had the most impressive opening day wins IMO.

The Droggs Were Sh!te they were just slightly less Sh!te than us thats all

**ndrog** · 12/03/2006, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by Block G Raptor

The Droggs Were Sh!te they were just slightly less Sh!te than us thats all

We were all over you in the first half last nite.We where really solid defensively with jason gavin having a great game. It should have been 2 or more with barrett missing a great chance. Bohs where completely toothless ! Did you have a shot on target all nite. Thank the lord you got arkins and not us. He was ****e !

**sfc red** · 12/03/2006, 2:15 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

1st week tells nothing

Alas, someone is talking sense!!!!!

Originally Posted by Pete

IMO Shels are getting worse not better. Their midfield & defense from Bray game wouldn't scare anyone

I see you also posted this on your site, who are you trying to convince?? Were you there on Friday? You're basing your assumption on O'Halloran being the backup he was last season, when he's actually been outstanding this season so far! Rogers, Ndo, Kearney, O'Neill and Williams on the bench, Stewie, Baker and Crawley (

) not even there. Get a grip mate. Its early days yet

**sfc red** · 12/03/2006, 2:18 AM

Originally Posted by Roo69

Ndo looked excellent when he came on, can't for the life of me understand why he did'nt start?

Shels on the other hand were away from home on a biterly cold and windy night in the Carlisle Grounds and drew 2-2 and with a better final ball could have won the match.

Talking sense as usual Roo69, fair play. I thought Bray were excellent tonight, keeper is very very good IMO and Zayed is just class. Great crowd too and a brilliant atmosphere. But in saying that, we would have won the game comfortably if not for individual mistakes.

As for Ndo, he was being rested for Monday I'm led to believe.

**Speranza** · 12/03/2006, 2:27 AM

Being rested for Monday this early in the season? Keep it up Pat I love your flawed management

**sfc red** · 12/03/2006, 2:31 AM

Since Hajduk Split last season, Nutzy thinks he is a tactical God

**A face** · 12/03/2006, 3:08 AM

Originally Posted by sfc red

Since Hajduk Split last season, Nutzy thinks he is a tactical God

Why weren't Wes and Ndo playing more .... the four month low for Shels last year needed those two on to change it, it didn't happen.

Nutsy was far from a tactical genius and he gets less credibility by the day when he isn't honest in interviews .... ffs !!

**The Sheliban** · 12/03/2006, 8:57 AM

I'm tipping Derry for the League this year. I really can't see why everyone is underestimating them, particularly after last season.

**Magicme** · 12/03/2006, 10:45 AM

Everyone who has money on Galway winning the first division should ask for their money back....they were not exactly setting the pitch on fire. Our Jim Murphy kept Lavine in his box big time even when Lavine was committing some dirty tackles and only got booked once. Should have been sent off for the amount of dodgy challenges he committed

**Conor H** · 12/03/2006, 11:09 AM

Well it was the 1st game of the season.I mean last year we bet yee 3-1 on the opening day and then look what happened.We were second last for about 2 months!

**sfc red** · 12/03/2006, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by A face

Why weren't Wes and Ndo playing more .... the four month low for Shels last year needed those two on to change it, it didn't happen.

Nutsy was far from a tactical genius and he gets less credibility by the day when he isn't honest in interviews .... ffs !!

Thats my point A Face. Since that game, he started to believe the hype of him being a master tactician etc when in reality he hasn't played 2 of the most skilful players in the league and played too defensively in Europe

**sligoman** · 12/03/2006, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Magicme

Our Jim Murphy kept Lavine in his box big time even when Lavine was committing some dirty tackles and only got booked once. Should have been sent off for the amount of dodgy challenges he committed

Welcome to the wonderful world of Eric Lavine

.

**pete** · 12/03/2006, 4:40 PM

I think Shels have dropped 2 points because they always seem to beat Bray.

I think Derry will do well as have good scoring options but will see what impact Setanta Cup & Uefa Cup have.

I've no doubt that Shels have good midfield players in Byrne, Ndo & Baker but Fenlon is too cautious to play them. Ndo would get into any team in the country but Fenlon won't start him in games - i don't buy the fitness excuse. Crawford is past it & Moore not good enough. O'Halloran can do a job alongside a creative player but limited otherwise.

I think will continue to struggle to score goals - 2 goals in 4 games so far.