Weaknesses being exposed

[joeSoap]

The weaknesses in the management team are now being exposed I feel, and last night was a prime example.
Tactically, they're getting it all wrong. Cooney is a CENTRAL midfielder, and quite an effective one.Having him out on the wing is like playing my granny out there and that was evident last night.Its clear that John Healy is either going through a confidence crisis or just can't cut the mustard...either way he's not up to it at the moment.I've said before that O'Mahony is out of his depth at this level 'cos he's too young, and boy did that show last night.McCarthy and O'Flynn WILL score more goals but the problem stems from having a defensive minded
midfield.Sweeney is class, will break up ball, pass it around really well and tackle as if his life depended on it, and to a lesser extent so will John Whyte. But then you have no creativity, no-one to make the incisive pass or break that sets up 'Carthy and Stevo.Cooney can do that and thats what O'Connor signed him for.The ideal midfield to act as a game winning foil for the two lads up front would in my opinion be:Keating(r) Cooney & Sweeney and Heff(l).I don't think the players have confidence in Kerley just yet, and they certainly can't have it in Fitzpatrick or Derek Whyte as backroom staff. No offence to Derek, he always gave 110%, but tactically??? Come on!I'm beginning to think that even though at the time we were all sceptical and doubting thomases, O'Connor would have these boys challenging right now.After all, bar the Kerry lads, he developed or brought them all in bar John Whyte, and he had their respect....begrudgingly or not.

[LFC in Exile]

First off - we were not all doubting Thomases. The most vocal were.

That said - I think you may be reading too much into one result. After a long journey to Dundalk you can't expect the players to be at their sharpest. I agree that Cooney should be playing in the centre with Sweeney. That suffers from lack of experience but I think they are both good enough to get over that and Sweeney ahs few eL campaigns under his belt at this stage.

I disagree about O'Mahoney. He was top class against Galway - saved our bacon on more than one occassion and uses the ball well. He has an excellent understanding with Sugrue - who was missing last night. He might not have played well last night but the back four was missing Purcell and Sugrue was missing on the right side of midfield. Did he get any help from Heffernan?

By the way you put Keating in at left midfield - who plays full-back then if O'Mahoney is dropped?

Service to O'Flynn is an issue - but then both Stevo and Derek play very deep. Does Stevo have to come so deep to get the ball? When our winger sdo get past defenders then there is no one in the box to exploit it.

I think you really have to be fair to Kerley. He has assembled a fine team (granted O'Connor sourced most of them) and they are playing football that is good to watch. We are in a good position for a playoff spot and most of teh other first division clubs fans have said that Limerick are one of the best sides in the division.

I think we need to take chances - that is not Kerley's fault. Hopefully this isn't the start of a Kerley Out campaign - it's a bit early for that.

[joeSoap]

Some good points taken on board. I'm fully behind Kerley by the way, I'm just pointing out what I'd personally like to see done. I'd put keating on the right, heffo on the left by the way, and I'd like to see Mike himself playing at right full and gradually introducing O'Mahony, who I believe has the talent....but still is to young and inexperienced.

[deise deserter]

Well done on making the trip up. Damien and Jude offered me a lift but I just couldn't make it.

Posted by Joe Soap:

The weaknesses in the management team are now being exposed I feel, and last night was a prime example.

Completely disagree with your dismissal of the current management team. It is streets ahead of last year when we didn't even have a management TEAM.

As for Mike's tactics not being up to scratch, sorry but I think you are wrong - I can't remember how many times we have banged our heads in frustration when Noel O'Connor took off a top-class player to replace him with the dead-wood he accumulated. SLK can back me up on this - he was close to tears at times last year!!!
Posted by Joe Soap:

Its clear that John Healy is either going through a confidence crisis or just can't cut the mustard...either way he's not up to it at the moment.

Completely agree with this. The guy does not inspire confidence in fan and all I can see him doing is unnerving his defence and costing us goals. I didn't make it to the Kilkenny League Cup game but I heard that Loughman had a magnificent game. Although he was very rough around the edges last year he showed much promise, and I for one would like to see him given a chance.

Posted by Joe Soap:

I've said before that O'Mahony is out of his depth at this level 'cos he's too young, and boy did that show last night.

Can't comment on last night's game but I think you are being really hard on him. He is a huge asset to the club and goes out and plays like his life depends on it. Alongside Sweeny and Keating he would be one of my favourite players.

Posted by Joe Soap:

he (Noel O'Connor) developed or brought them all in bar John Whyte, and he had their respect....begrudgingly or not.

Great that Noel brought in some good players (some bad ones - won't mention names), but he alienated just as many. Derek McCarthy was going to sign for Kilkenny because of Noel. I don't see any respect in that. Don't get me wrong now, I had time for Noel, thought he did reasonably well under the circumstances, but he was not a good people-person.

Sorry if I sound so negative to your post but I really feel that we are in a much better position now than we were 12 months ago. The Kildare game is now a must-win game to keep the gap wide enough and keep us in contention for when matches start back after the Special Olympics.

[BlueisBeautiful]

...agree with everything you say, last night 's performance was poor but hopefully this is just the Oriel Park hoodoo that has plagued us in recent years.

Lfc In Exile I disagree with the long journey bit, what about the Harps result a few weeks back?

The squad badly needs additions and soon!

[deise deserter]

Originally posted by BlueisBeautiful
...agree with everything you say, last night 's performance was poor but hopefully this is just the Oriel Park hoodoo that has plagued us in recent years.

Lfc In Exile I disagree with the long journey bit, what about the Harps result a few weeks back?

The squad badly needs additions and soon!

I think we need only one or two new additions to bring our squad up to it's full potential. Personally I think we need someone for left-back and an experienced player for mid-field.

As well as that I think it's time Loughman is given a chance in goals. Healy just isn't solid enough for my liking.

[JohnD]

Well Said Deise. Have to agree with you on the Keeper front. We must win on Thurs now to keep up as there is a visble gap starting to appear between us and the top 4 Teams. Dont Forget the First meeting proper of the Supporters' Group will take place after the match everyone