Are Cork Doing a Shels?

[paudie]

We were in a worse situation this time last year and won the league with a record amount of points .... its far too early to even think of mentioning end, its unbelieveable actually to even say it.

I was actually exaggerating slightly for effect I would think it might be better for our league chances to win all three games rather than none.

[SeanDrog]

You've ignored my point that we've lost no one of note since we won the League last season.
If anything we've strengthened our squad. We've got players good enough to win the League and they now know what it takes.

Regarding your point - I have no doubt that your first eleven have what it takes but how often will you have the luxury of your first 11. The Setanta was a different competition with different requirements etc. The league is a long haul and the fact that when George was injured your team has failed to deliver - again not a pop but rather a statement of fact. Cork have great players like George and O Donovan (who destroyed Webb in the final) but its the lack of replacements (or perceived lack of replacements - maybe us outsiders are wrong) that is really going to make (IMO of course) Cork find it tough to retain the title.

[Roo69]

Not really.
We'd have budgeted on winning one of them but i don't think it'd be fair to expect 9 points 'quite easily'.
the home form is good.

Ah come off it FFS ! "budgeted on winning one of them" ? thats real champions talk, some how i really don't think Rico or the Cork players would budget to win one match against UCD, Bray and Pats. Cork would have expected at least 7 points from these 3 games yet they have only 2. Yeah your home form is excellent, no doubting that what so ever but it's away from that will count at the end of the season. A team like Cork will win most home games but droping away points on a regular basis will cost dearly at the end of the season.

Someone mentioned Softic earlier in the post, i'd have to agree, he looks a very useful player, defo in the same mold as O'Callaghan

[Peadar]

(or perceived lack of replacements - maybe us outsiders are wrong)

No one knows what the likes of McCarthy, Softic, Lally, Lordan, Nolan, Sullivan etc. can produce. They may not be household names but they've all impressed the staff at Cork City FC.
Drogs "rested" some players against us in the Setanta Sports Cup and we tore you apart all over the field. I wouldn't be too excited about the quality of your squad if I was you.

[SeanDrog]

granted they are not first team names but to date when some 1st teams have been missing and some of these lads have stepped up, you have struggled - maybe as the season goes no they will come more into it and prove us all wrong.

regarding us resting players - wouldn't say tore us apart but you were better as would be expected as oever 50% of the team were squad players and it was their first time playing together against the elague champions - what result did you expect.

In our recent matches we have had at least 3 first teamers out and we have had good squad players to bring in and they have delivered.

As stated all we have to analysis are the games to date and IMO corks squad players are a weak point but again maybe they will grow into it as the season progresses.

And if you read a few posts back i clearly stated that drogs are no means a given to win this league as our squad has its failings to date as well.

[Peadar]

And if you read a few posts back i clearly stated that drogs are no means a given to win this league as our squad has its failings to date as well.

We can talk about this until the rustled sheep come home but it will make little difference at this stage. When I saw the title of this thread I didn't want to post but felt that Bray fans needed putting straight on how different our squad is to last seasons squad.
Either way, I'm not concerned about our poor start. There's a long way to go yet and we all know that our players are capable of much better.

[Speranza]

No one knows what the likes of McCarthy, Softic, Lally, Lordan, Nolan, Sullivan etc. can produce. They may not be household names but they've all impressed the staff at Cork City FC

No one knows nor cares in the same way our first team players are never talked about in the media or discussions like this. One of the Sunday rags had a column a few weeks ago noting how the public overlook players in our team who are some of the best in the Eircom League. In this case it was Ciarán Martyn but there are numerous other examples - Barry Molloy for one is IMO along with Joe Gamble the best centre midfielder in the LoI.

[A face]

No one knows nor cares in the same way our first team players are never talked about in the media or discussions like this.

I'd love it if City players weren't talked about. Keep the heads down and do the work. That is the ideal situation.

[Peadar]

No one knows nor cares in the same way our first team players are never talked about in the media or discussions like this.

Listen Sparenza mate, I didn't start this thread and would gladly not get involved in such a futile "debate", but others seem obesessed with us. I expect that's just because we're Champions and people are willing us to fail. By all means talk about your players if you're feeling left out. I also expect if you won something significant people would be talking about you too.

[Speranza]

By all means talk about your players if you're feeling left out. I also expect if you won something significant people would be talking about you too.

Not feeling left out at all.....Face said "That is the ideal situation." and he is right. Our players don't get credit (i.e Ken Oman hasn't put in a bad preformance so far but never gets mentioned, brilliant signing) BUT I don't care as we there is no pressure on us. The spotlight will always be on players like Georgie rather than Ciaran Martyn for obvious reasons and I'm sure Ciaran loves being able to play his football without constant attention.

[A face]

(i.e Ken Oman hasn't put in a bad preformance so far but never gets mentioned, brilliant signing) .

"I have to say now, yeah, teenage kicks yeah, i have to say now !!"

"I have to say now, I have to say now, I have to say now"

[pete]

Any judgements on league winners should be left until at least 2/3 way through the season. Whoever (i even include Drogs here ) finishes top of the table will deserve it as you cannot be lucky when winning a league title.

We have really only lost 1 player of note Kearney (left wing) as O'Hallorans absence means better players (Lordan & Softic) to replace his roles.

Poor form, loss of O'Flynn, 2 terrible misses in Setanta Cup final & an og in league game are all that separates from top fo the table & Setanta Cup winners.

[Speranza]

"I have to say now, yeah, teenage kicks yeah, i have to say now !!"

"I have to say now, I have to say now, I have to say now"

Seems to have a touch of the David "as I say" O'Leary about him! Poor little Dublin children, they aren't even taught the basics of speech and language.

[Celdrog]

Poor form, loss of O'Flynn, 2 terrible misses in Setanta Cup final & an og in league game are all that separates from top fo the table & Setanta Cup winners.

So you would have got seven points had you beaten Pats to take you level with the Drogs at the top?
Or maybe O'Flynn would be leading goalscorer. Or maybe the "loss of form" is irrelevant.

Clutching at straws

[Soko]

If we somehow avoid injuries for the rest of the season then we're fine. If not we're screwed. We have to strengthen the squad, its a fact. We were haunted to escape Europe, the league and the cup without suffering injuries and now we already feeling the effects. Not time to panic yet as Shels are not firing yet, Drogs are unproven and whoever else are just above us but we need to do something or pray for our health.

[Risteard]

Ah come off it FFS ! "budgeted on winning one of them" ? thats real champions talk, some how i really don't think Rico or the Cork players would budget to win one match against UCD, Bray and Pats. Cork would have expected at least 7 points from these 3 games yet they have only 2.

5 points from those would have been more than acceptable given the home form.
6 or 7 ideal but
If one of us said City should 'quite easily' get 9 points from those 3 games would you not be among the first to call us arrogant?
Honestly now?

Better performance tonight.
Flynny back Friday to batter the blaaahs.
We're laughing.