Eircom League Review: Week 1

**pete** · 12/03/2006, 5:30 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Pete, you're great at giving your opinion on other team's. How about telling us about Cork's narrow victory over CHF? What did you make of that?

I wasn't at the game but seemed typical performance. Out of the blocks very quickly & after leading the game forced HF to push the game which they didn't really do. I would prefer Behan to Fenn in the league as gives more options. We are unlikely to win by many goals this season but have mean defense whioch is vital in the big games. We have no left sided midfielder but no team has exposes yet as 3 in central midfield is too strong.

**Speranza** · 12/03/2006, 6:12 PM

I would agree that Cork have very good options in centre midfield so the lack of width may not affect them in the same way that it will Drogheda who IMO are lacking on the wings.

I would say though that Fenn doesn't score enough. You may point to Gary Beckett for us and say the same but Beckett does so much for the team in terms of supplying ball and holding it up for Mark Farren's pace to do the damage. Behan is simply not of the same standard as other out and out goalscorers. It all rests on the fragile John O'Flynn.

Originally Posted by Pete

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

We have a huge squad. Gareth Mc Glynn and Mc COurt are currently out but Cash and Killian Brennan will slot in their with no loss of quality.

$hels will be very hard to beat over the season but that blip on Friday does bring back memories of opening match 05 against UCD and look were that led to. We have a stronger squad than anyone but IMO it's down to our best XI vs $hels.

Pete, do you honestly think Cork can win the league with so little cover in vital areas?

**pete** · 12/03/2006, 6:17 PM

Originally Posted by Speranza

Pete, do you honestly think Cork can win the league with so little cover in vital areas?

Yes. We will struggle with current squad. However i expect additions in next transfer window. Rico seems to be waiting for extra quality. No use bringing in average left winger if he won't drop other midfielder for him.

BTW i meant mental challenge for Derry City. I still believe Europe a huge setup for the inexperienced.

Drogheda United v Cork City in Week 2 is first big league game of the season.

**Speranza** · 12/03/2006, 6:23 PM

I don't think it is a big game TBH. Cork should beat Drogheda as they haven't made the right sort of signings to make up 24 points. Fahey is class but him aside is there any other players who would make the team for the top three?

I agree about Europe and I we don't have the best record. I just want us to get through one round because anything else will be letting the league down.

**ndrog** · 12/03/2006, 7:24 PM

Originally Posted by Speranza

I don't think it is a big game TBH. Cork should beat Drogheda as they haven't made the right sort of signings to make up 24 points. Fahey is class but him aside is there any other players who would make the team for the top three?

I agree about Europe and I we don't have the best record. I just want us to get through one round because anything else will be letting the league down.

Well Tbh i think it is a big game.We played well against bohs the other nite and are getting better everey time we play.Gonna be a packed house , and we owe ccfc one for the setanta mess a coulple of weeks ago.Should be a cracker!

**superfrank** · 12/03/2006, 7:28 PM

Originally Posted by pete

No real surprises except Shels dropping 2 points given they would have better fitness with Setanta Cup.

We played very and, imo, Shels were expecting a lot less from us.

**EnDai** · 12/03/2006, 7:38 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

We played very and, imo, Shels were expecting a lot less from us.

Our central midfield duo certainly seemed to be unaware as to the fact that the Bray players might have known what a ball is! No hunger, and seemed shocked when you walked over us there.

**pineapple stu** · 12/03/2006, 7:48 PM

Originally Posted by The Sheliban

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

They badly need a new keeper. Forde is muck. Think he came out 13 times for through balls against us. Thing is, we only played three! Was rubbish on backpasses as well, sending one straight at one of our forwards and skewing another few straight into touch inside his own half. Apart from that, they've a very good squad and with players like McHugh and Beckett on the bench, they'll be well up there.

If we had a forward with any bit of pace, we'd have nicked a goal early on and the game would have been much different. Same old story for us really. But an improved performance from the last third of last season and I'd like to think we'll be lower-mid-table at worst (I'd say safe, but with tits like Delaney and Ollie Byrne around...

)

**sfc red** · 12/03/2006, 8:38 PM

Originally Posted by pete

. Crawford is past it

Proving you know nothing about Shels.

**sfc red** · 12/03/2006, 8:39 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

We played very and, imo, Shels were expecting a lot less from us.

You played very very well. Zayed is absolute class.

**Olander** · 12/03/2006, 8:56 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

They badly need a new keeper. Forde is muck.

everybody is entitled to there opinions but in my opinion that is rubbish, forde was one of the best goalkeepers last year and the stats say that what you said is rubbish

**Risteard** · 12/03/2006, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by sfc red

Proving you know nothing about Shels.

Fair enough but surely playing him and Greg together isn't the best option especially with Ndo, Moore and Stuey Byrne on the bench/in the stands.

**Rochey** · 13/03/2006, 10:02 AM

don't think it is a big game TBH. Cork should beat Drogheda as they haven't made the right sort of signings to make up 24 points. Fahey is class but him aside is there any other players who would make the team for the top three?

Definitly a big game. Drogheda V cork have been cracking games in the past and both teams like to play the ball along the ground. Defensively both are very strong also so it will take a touch of class for a goal I'd say. Drogs will be there or there abouts this season so of course this is a big game for both teams!! Just because we finished fourth last year and 24 point gap doesnt mean that you can right us off even if we made no signings. We are playing better as a team and it will take a good team to beat us this year.

would agree that Cork have very good options in centre midfield so the lack of width may not affect them in the same way that it will Drogheda who IMO are lacking on the wings.

Dont think we are lacking on the wings either Fahey has been playing class on the wing for us and shane Robinson is always dangerous never mind keddy. You obviously havent seen much of drogheda play this year.

**Maynard** · 13/03/2006, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by pete

I wasn't at the game but seemed typical performance. Out of the blocks very quickly & after leading the game forced HF to push the game which they didn't really do. I would prefer Behan to Fenn in the league as gives more options. We are unlikely to win by many goals this season but have mean defense whioch is vital in the big games. We have no left sided midfielder but no team has exposes yet as 3 in central midfield is too strong.

Erm, considering you admit to not having seen the game I can't see how you can make this inaccurate statement. Story of the match was the first couple of minutes were even, neither side creating much up front. Cork got a dodgy peno (generally those are waved away) scored and played all the footabll for the next 15/20 minutes. DC got their heads up for the end of the half and it was back to being even by the break. Only one team came out in the second half. Robbie Collins had his one on one saved, Giller had two shots saved from just inside the area, lots of frees, corners, high balls that caused confusion in the Cark box but didn't fall to a Dublin player. Cark didn't muster a shot in anger until the 35th minute of the second half, fact. Cark did finish stronger during the 4 added minutes at the end of the game, but aside from the opening 20 odd minutes, we were certainly worth a point. Not that we'll get the credit for it, but that's immaterial.

**Krstic** · 13/03/2006, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

They badly need a new keeper. Forde is muck. Think he came out 13 times for through balls against us. Thing is, we only played three! Was rubbish on backpasses as well, sending one straight at one of our forwards and skewing another few straight into touch inside his own half. Apart from that, they've a very good squad and with players like McHugh and Beckett on the bench, they'll be well up there.

If we had a forward with any bit of pace, we'd have nicked a goal early on and the game would have been much different. Same old story for us really. But an improved performance from the last third of last season and I'd like to think we'll be lower-mid-table at worst (I'd say safe, but with tits like Delaney and Ollie Byrne around...

)

Fair enough Stu, Forde didn't look comfortable on Friday night, but to call him 'muck' because of one performance is a bit much.

**Ceirtlis** · 13/03/2006, 11:32 AM

i support galway united and i always thought that forde was a dodgy keeper when he was with us even though he used to be talked up at the time. i nearly had a heart attack when i heard west ham paid money for him. he was alrite last season tho

**pineapple stu** · 13/03/2006, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Krstic

Fair enough Stu, Forde didn't look comfortable on Friday night, but to call him 'muck' because of one performance is a bit much.

He was muck in the League Cup Final - backpasses were poor, he let a cross through his hands and gifted us our goal. He was muck when we lost 3-0 up in Derry - about the only shot we had all game he caught, rolled over and dropped over the line for a corner. He was muck in the Setanta against Linfield by all accounts (didn't see the game, but heard he gifted Linfield their goal and nearly another). In fact, I've never seen him play a decent game. That's what I'm basing my opinion on.

**JW.** · 13/03/2006, 2:52 PM

We were a bit disappointing in Monaghan, even though we really should have won the game. Alan Murphy looked a bit lethargic, which was very disappointing.
Division 1 seems very competitive. I was surprised that Rovers beat Dundalk. We're playing both of them shortly, that should be interesting.
Not bad atmosphere in Monaghan and I thought they were useful enough. So, apparently, were Kilkenny in Cobh. And Athlone are making progress, so it looks as though the standard is higher than it has been for some time in Div 1.

**Speranza** · 13/03/2006, 2:53 PM

Pineapple, you should ask Longford fans above his save in the league cup last year or Cork fans about his save in a goalmouth scramble at the Brandy. Both saves looked almost impossible and were world class.

Forde is a bit of a legend because of his ability to stop any shot but I agree he is certainly prone to errors as is Mick Devine (Harps away last year). I personally would give Jennings a run out as he has done nothing wrong and has shown loyalty by staying this season.

**Krstic** · 13/03/2006, 3:03 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

He was muck in the League Cup Final - backpasses were poor, he let a cross through his hands and gifted us our goal. He was muck when we lost 3-0 up in Derry - about the only shot we had all game he caught, rolled over and dropped over the line for a corner. He was muck in the Setanta against Linfield by all accounts (didn't see the game, but heard he gifted Linfield their goal and nearly another). In fact, I've never seen him play a decent game. That's what I'm basing my opinion on.

So you have seen him play in 3 games recently against your team, and he has let in one goal. And on that basis he was 'muck'

I was in Italy a few years back and saw Juventus V AC Milan, Roberto Baggio was pish in that game, I also saw him play for Inter against Chievo and he was pish then.

So by your logic, he was a pish player