SO...what do ye think??

**RockofGibraltar** · 11/03/2007, 11:38 AM

Dont know how many of ye were out there but going on last night I dont think our prospects for the season are too bad. Obviously we dont have the players or finances to be challenging for europe we all know that but I think we will have no problem in steadying the ship this season and finish in mid table comfortably.

I mean I saw enough last night to suggest that we can finish ahead of the likes of Bray,Waterford,Galway,UCD and maybe Sligo but perhaps I am being a little too optimistic.

I think Mark Rutherford turned in a great performance last night looked like he was hungry for the game and that he was playing for his shirt. He drew at least 2 or 3 fouls that resulted in Pats players being booked. He still has great pace for a near 35 y.o. and his delivery was quite good from set pieces. I can see him becoming a fans favourite very quickly if he keeps turning in those sort of performances.

I also think young Pat Sullivan is an astute signing...we at last have a decent right back not like headless chicken alan murphy.

We were playing a few players out of position last night such as Davy Freeman on the right wing and Rob Martin on the left wing but once Baker and Deegan return we should be able to restore most of these such players to their natural positions. If Dave Mooney gets more clinical in front of goal I think we should have no problem finishing maybe 7th or 8th which will do grand for this season once we get the off the field stuff sorted out.

Anyways thats just my opinion

HR
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**Martinho II** · 11/03/2007, 1:30 PM

i would be very optimistic myself last nite rock of gibraltar. Sullivan has a good pedigree behind him, we missed deego in midfield and it was a pity that dessie baker got a nasty injury just when he was returning to top form!

i would be very optimistic- better shape to the team last night than the whole of last season! sparky was defo mom imo! mooney when fit is a joy to watch! i can see him goin into double figures this year!

**avvenalaf** · 11/03/2007, 2:40 PM

Went to the match last night as I had a serious wedge on Pats at 11/8 and couldn't see anything other than a tanking for Longford. Have to say I was surprised at the Lonford performance and having been in Terryland the night before I can say that they will definitely finish above Galway. BUT... there is still one dimension to the Longford play and it was remarkable that Mooney was not supported in the first half when Longford had the gale. Also, it is doubtful if Rutherford will perform like this every week - he was obviously wired by the fact that Pats released him - and NDo looked as if he couldn'e be arsed. As for Pats, I was told last year that John McDonnell was a ****** and I think he proved it last night. Tactically, clueless and the middle of that defence will leak goals. Anyway, Cheltenham is looked after.
Biggest worry for Town has got to be the small crowd last night and this is going to be a tough one, on and off the fiield. But good luck, the league needs you.

**Sonic** · 11/03/2007, 9:39 PM

Again like ye say id be pretty confident we can stay up. Sullivan wasnt too bad and with a few more games under his belt he could be a decent signing. Id be a bit worried about mooney sometimes as he can be over fond of missing sitters. He showed a good attitude last night which was nice to see. Rutherford was our main threat and its beyond me why matthews didnt put him on the left wing as we lacked width throughout. Everything came through the middle. as rock says davy freeman is not a right winger and i dont think young wexler is good enough. He is still better than cronin though!! Hes a bit light aswell.

**Wiseguy** · 12/03/2007, 8:34 AM

I have to say that i didn't think much of Sullivan TBH. He gave it away far to often and he took to much out of it when a cross was on. We looked all over the place at the back and we'll defo ship a lot of goals this season unless we sort it out.It was an ok performance but what was important was the effort that was put in and we all had something to shout about for a change.I just hope we can beat the poorer teams that we need to finish above.
Wasn't a bad crowd either BTW.

**Cabs88** · 12/03/2007, 3:51 PM

really pleased by the performance saturday, was the first time in a long time i was encouraged by the level of heart and determination by the players.
I thought sullivan wasnt at his best, but then again kirbs had a great game, and id expect sullivan to do well for us. I thought the rest of the back four were good at times, but the communication has to improve between the centre backs and the keeper. Thought johnny and rutherford worked well in the middle, and freeman did well, out of position, wide right. I thought mooney was immense, and his form this season will be a key factor in our survival.
Overall happy with the performance but disapointed by the result, and again the size of the crowd. If the large travelling support werent there, it would have been a very poor return for the club.

**Longfordian** · 12/03/2007, 6:46 PM

I'd cut Sullivan a bit of slack it was his first competitive game in a year and a half almost. He was in Australia the last few months apparently.He didn't have a lot of football in pre-season either. We do need a couple of defenders with Paisley going, and I believe the club and the manager are looking hard for what's availalbe. Doyle is available for Friday and he should be a good addition by all accounts