UCD 0-0 Shamrock Rovers

[pineapple stu]

He played like a winger at full back and I didn't remember much about his defending, hence he played well offensively and appears to have a good offensive game!

I'm aware of the concept a "good offensive game" is supposed to convey; my point is that it's never been a football term!

On the Rovers forum, they were saying their midfield was overrun a bit in the second half, and noted how big our team was, which I don't think has ever been the case before.

[Poor Student]

Defence was solid as usual, bar Mahon, but that is to be expected by now. Gallagher had a great game, was good going forward once again. He seems like a Darragh Ryan that can defend. IMO he should be starting ahead of Mahon with Kenna moving to RB.

Completely agree but we know that's not going to happen. He's not the worst but he proves to be a weak link in that back four.

McFaul had a quiet but effective game. He looks very composed on the ball and what singles him out IMO is that he always looks like he has plenty of time on the ball.

I remember when we would do with a midfield of Hurley and Dicker the two of them just wouldn't impose on and control a game like we would with the experience of Crowley and Tony Mac in there despite being talented players. It might take a few games for such a young midfield partnership to settle in and take games by the scruff of the neck. They do offer a bit more composure and directness than a partnership of Tony Mac and Dicker though (looking at both pairs as a single unit).

Upfront we seem to be weak once again. With Sammon in the side there is only one way of playing and that is to give the ball to his feet, but that rarely happened last night. He can't jump for the ball at all.

What's really annoying is that we keep hoofing it up. I think part of it is to do with the wings. Neither Conan Byrne or Doyle are penetrative wingers in the Partick Kavanagh mould. Doyle had an ok game but he still either has to elect to play it in field or often doesn't beat his man. On top of this, the full backs, particularly Mahon aren't driving forward and creating space and options for the wingers. I think this is partly why we improved in the 2nd half when Gallagher came on. He gave us a lot going forward. I think the general lack of wide options squeezes us into playing through the middle and going for the long ball which will never work with Sammo.

[pineapple stu]

Thought Derek Doyle played his est game yet for us last night. Was willing to take on his man, take a pot at goal and lay off some good passes.

[DmanDmythDledge]

I agree that it was one of his best ever games. Still a bit of room for improvement.

Also anyone know if he's badly injured? Maybe Bogdan will be starting next week.

[Poor Student]

Thought Derek Doyle played his est game yet for us last night. Was willing to take on his man, take a pot at goal and lay off some good passes.

He's a distinctly average winger. He's rarely able to get past his man when taking him on directly. I think he's aware of this and lays the ball in field a lot which results in a narrowing of our game. How many good crosses can you remember being whipped in from the around the byline last night? I thought Gallagher actually looked far more adept at taking on and going past the man.

[DmanDmythDledge]

He's rarely able to get past his man when taking him on directly.

Fact is he did last night, has been in pre-season (albeit weak opposition) and was in good form in the final third of last season.

[pineapple stu]

He's rarely able to get past his man when taking him on directly. I think he's aware of this and lays the ball in field a lot which results in a narrowing of our game.

Really? I recall him taking on his man quite a lot and beating him quite alot last night.

Don't think your second point holds water either. Aside from the above disagreement, it's a sign of a good player when they know their limitations and don't try what they can't do, and play to their strenghts instead.

[Poor Student]

Don't think your second point holds water either. Aside from the above disagreement, it's a sign of a good player when they know their limitations and don't try what they can't do, and play to their strenghts instead.

That I agree with. But what's a winger who can't beat his man often enough? I find myself more often than not being frustrated at the full back getting the ball off him again. I think he lacks the trickey and pace to get past his man in a way that leaves him in space to whip in a good cross. My second point does hold water depending on the accuracy of the first one, your game becomes narrow if the winger keeps laying the ball in centre. Yes, it's better than not losing the ball but when you lose your width you become far more predictable and easily shut out.

[pineapple stu]

Your second point holds water if your first one does, but myself and dmanetc are of the opinion that it doesn't. Doyler was quite willing and able to take on his man and more last night.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Jeez Louise We didn't concede a goal ( well not one that counted) and people want to change the back four already? Let's wait till some team actually manages to score against us first.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Jeez Louise We didn't concede a goal ( well not one that counted) and people want to change the back four already? Let's wait till some team actually manages to score against us first.

Why wait until the damage is done? Mahon is clearly the weak link in our defence and it won't take long for teams to noitice this.

On a more postive note Conor Kenna has being picked in the eleven-a-side team of the week.

[John83]

On a more postive note Conor Kenna has being picked in the eleven-a-side team of the week.

Good to see him being recognised. He's been a rock for us for a long time now.

[pineapple stu]

Highlights on YouTube as well.

(I've added this into the UCD on YouTube thread as well; double post, I know, so delete if necessary, but it's relevant to both threads.)