So with the return of some of the exports to the league this season (e.g. Jayo and Georgie) and the addition of some more players from across the water, do you think that the leagues standard and quality will have improved much on the field or have most of the players passed their peak?
Please submit your opinion
The quality will definitely improve. It came down last year, but should go back up. Obviously the big signings were made by the big clubs. But a player to watch this season (if they keep him) is Cobh Ramblers' Davin O'Neill. Class act whenever I've seen him. Very young too afaik.
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I think a recovery is there and with the better outlook in terms of finances this year we could perhaps even see a sharper rise in June.
Your Chairperson,
Gavin
Membership Advisory Board
"Ex Bardus , Vicis"
If the best players in the EL are so good that they get transferred to Britain for peanuts and subsequently prove themselves to be so unsuccessful there that they come back to the EL, that's obviously an indication that, eh, the EL has improved.
Give them more money. That's the obvious solution.
Some players have succeeded after going abroad, others have not. That will happen in any league. The important point is keeping quality players who personify the progress the league is making - the Joe Gambles, the Dave Mooneys, the Colin Healys. Players of a calibre who in the past would have jumped at any chance to go to any club abroad who now have set higher standards for themselves by rejecting small/mediocre clubs abroad for, admittedly in broader terms, small/mediocre clubs here whilst they presumably harbour hopes of joining a better class.Originally Posted by Billy Lord
While that goes on, the gap grows ever smaller and, as any fan will agree, the hope is that one day the Irish squad is made up of one or two premiership stars, a few championship players and a bulk of home based talent, rather than the current one or two premiership players, a lot of championship players and even the odd lower league player coming in ahead of our home talent.
Your Chairperson,
Gavin
Membership Advisory Board
"Ex Bardus , Vicis"
I think that the clubs hoping for honours are considerably stronger. They have a lot of money from investments/stadium sale etc but instead of investing it in a professional youth structure like Rosenborg did they are buying expensive players and increasing the average wages of the team. I can see a huge gap between 5 teams and the rest of the league:
Cork are extremely strong, i think that they are still short 2 defenders and a keeper but are much stronger than last season even without Roy.
St Pats have a bad manager and have made more "quanity" signings rather than "quality". In saying that they have a very strong midfield, keeper and attack and with the 3 defenders they have signed they won't be far away. I worry about their lack of invetsment in bringing young players through at that club!
Drogs - Unlike Pats Drogs have made quality signings rather than quanity. In saying that they have not added anything to the squad, just consolidation. They won't win it this year, the other teams have caught up to their standards.
Derry - In kenny they have a good manager. Will struggle to get into Europe but still he is building for the future. Their defense does not see mthe best and I don't rate Conor Sammon at all.
Bohs - Definitely favourites to become league champions. They have signed a class act in Cillian Brennan. Oman is ok and Jason Byrne will stand in the box for rebounds. Will definitely be in the top 2 this year. Expect the defense to leak goals with Fenlon in charge. Shels' defence was a farse at times.
The other teams have gone back apart from the promoted sides. UCD give their players away for free, must have heard nothing about contracts and Bray have a good team but lost some players too. Galway have 3 good players but are professional and Sligo lost their best player.
Shamrock Rovers are closest to the top 5 but I think they will struggle this season with 2nd season syndrome.
As you can see the top 5 have got significantly stronger. All the other teams are in a relegation battle.
Last edited by finnpark; 31/01/2008 at 12:11 AM.
The deepest layer of human thinking and feeling somehow knows that God must exist - Pope Benedict XVI
Killian Brennan is a big girls blouse who pulls out of tackles and spends more time fixing his hair than watching where the ball is. Oman is the class act.
Pats have signed 2 defenders with international caps (partridge & o'cearuill) and also 3 players who have seen it all and done it all in the league (lynch byrne ryan)
5 players in and 8 players(dead wood bar billy bibson) out
Still need another striker imo and if they get it the squad will be better than last season.
There are 3 players in the squad who have come thru the pats youth system and all have underage caps....And another 6 players off the youth team played for the u21s last season and are in line for the A team this year so dont know why you are worrying about our youth team
Your summary seemed crappy enuff but I found this bit laughable, we retained all our best players and released the lads we didn't want and signed a few good players.... if you call signing some rubbish unknown IL player and Derry's fifth choice striker going forward then you must have been well behind....
On the same note in what way have Cobh gone forward? I don't seen any investment down their yet.
Who are all these players, do any of them have names?
The SFAI are the governing body for grassroots football in Ireland, not the FAI. Its success or the lack of is all down to them.
Brendan Clarke - GK
Derek Foran - CH
Noel Haverty - CM
are all in the first team squad for this season.
Well said Danny. Finnpark was talking horse manure in relation to Pats. Also, McDonnell a bad manager ? On what evidence ? Kept the team afloat when he had no money to spend, and has improved steadily since he's been given a few quid. I wouldn't say he's performed miracles, and I know some Pats fans don't rate him, but I think he's done a decent job.
Out for a spell, got neglected, lay on the bench unselected.
McDonnell being a bad manager was the only bit of finn harps post i agreed with
I loved watching Corkm last season, by far the best footballing side, and with some of the signings they have made, I think they look really tasty for a right good stab at the league title this year. Bohs and Pats have both improved, Drogheda look as strong as last season as well, so the omens appear to be good for a better season than last
"Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins."
"Homer Simpson, smiling politely."
Sorry I didn't know that these were regulars for the first. I have to say that Ive never heard of any of them
The deepest layer of human thinking and feeling somehow knows that God must exist - Pope Benedict XVI
I never said that our signings were great but we are going forward with signing more professional players. We probably will still be relegated and we are nowhwere near the top sides. For Galway, you won't be far away from relegation. Only time will tell.
The deepest layer of human thinking and feeling somehow knows that God must exist - Pope Benedict XVI
I have said this in my post, can you not read
Are these regulars in the first 11 then?
Last edited by finnpark; 31/01/2008 at 1:17 PM.
The deepest layer of human thinking and feeling somehow knows that God must exist - Pope Benedict XVI
short memories : http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=862145&postcount=4
that summary was total "horse manure" as TonyD put it
Well you should know but Im going on what Ive seen. Ive seen Oman 3 times last in different games and on TV in around 5 games. Hes good on the ball but his positioning at times is laughable. Did you see in the game away to that Armenian pub team?
Brennan is an Irish U-23 international who is very skillful. Thats my opinion.
The deepest layer of human thinking and feeling somehow knows that God must exist - Pope Benedict XVI
I can read fine thanks for asking....I have said this in my post, can you not read
Are these regulars in the first 11 then?
I was just pointing out that we've signed some international "quality" players
Dont ya just love these little first division upstarts who come up and seem to know everything about the league.... roll on mid august when you'll be facin relegation head on and hiding away from here....
Do ya know much about partridge or did ya just google the first article about him and make up your mind ? dont belive inrehabilitation ? or a 2nd chance for someone ?
Dessie was offered a new contract by bohs and only left cos of a row with SC. hardly a reject... dont remember too many eL teams rejecting Bobby Ryan either... lynch i'll give ya tho...
As for the younger players, no one said they were first team regulars, you said you were worried that there was a lack of investment in bring youth players thru, i just pointed out that you are talking thru your hoop
All 3 of those players played in the premier league last season or on loan in the 1st div and this season they will be part of the first team squad
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