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**Guinney** · 04/12/2012, 2:33 PM

I'd agree that I wouldn't include Shields in any good LOI team. He is a limited player. But I have to say even though I wouldn't rate him highly he did give it his all on the pitch in most matches. I don't know much about off the pitch so can't comment on that.

**Dodge** · 04/12/2012, 2:54 PM

Originally Posted by GCdfc

I had great hope from him given his displays with Bray but he was utter ****e with us.

So was Bolger and you won't find a Pats fan who isn't delighted he's staying with us for 2013. Sometimes players just don't fit certain styles/teams/managers

I think Shields is a vastly underrated player

**GCdfc** · 04/12/2012, 2:57 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

So was Bolger and you won't find a Pats fan who isn't delighted he's staying with us for 2013. Sometimes players just don't fit certain styles/teams/managers

Quite true. Bolger never performed with us in a good team.

Originally Posted by Dodge

I think Shields is a vastly underrated player

Maybe so but if he is anything like he was last season I hope never to see him in a Dundalk jersey again.

**peadar1987** · 04/12/2012, 3:12 PM

What exactly was wrong with him?

At Bray he was prone to the odd misplaced pass, but charged around like a crazy person, won a lot of headers (which in the side of midgets we had was very valuable!), and put pressure on the opposition, won a lot of ball for the team in the centre of the park, and was also useful as a bit of a battering ram up front for the 96% of the season when Gary Shaw would be injured.

I think he benefited a lot from having a very cool head beside him in Gary Dempsey, and also flair players on the wings like Paddy Kavanagh, Gary McCabe and John Mulroy, meaning it wasn't his job to create things or control the pace of the game, and he could stick to what he was very good at. I'd have him back in a heartbeat anyway, if only for his last-second goal against Mons in the relegation playoff.

**White Horse** · 04/12/2012, 5:15 PM

Originally Posted by peadar1987

What exactly was wrong with him?

He couldn't control the ball and kept losing possession. Oriel Park is quite wide and we tried to play with width, so losing the ball, misplacing passes, or failing to control the ball was a constant problem. He does a lot of chasing around but concedes a lot of free kicks while doing it.

However, I thought he started to fit in much better as the season went on and he did a good job filling in at centre half. I'm not as down on him as some Dundalk fans.

**jinxy lilywhite** · 04/12/2012, 6:44 PM

chris shields problem apart from that he looks like Tin Tin, it is that he loses the ball far too easily and runs around like a head less chicken. i wouldnt mind if he was good at winning the ball back but in my opinion he is and will never be fit enough to wear the captains armband of our club or even the white shirt.

granted only 3 or 4 of last seasons squad are of a standard to wear a dfc shirt.

**Partizan** · 04/12/2012, 7:19 PM

Newry City will be playing in Mid Ulster B Intermediate League next season so there will be 7 teams in the First next season.

**White Horse** · 04/12/2012, 7:27 PM

Originally Posted by Partizan

Newry City will be playing in Mid Ulster B Intermediate League next season so there will be 7 teams in the First next season.

Have Waterford confirmed that they are going to contest the 1st division next season?

**patrickccfc** · 04/12/2012, 8:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

Any stand out players still to sign on for anyone?

Beckham looking for a new challenge

**patrickccfc** · 04/12/2012, 8:12 PM

Originally Posted by Partizan

Newry City will be playing in Mid Ulster B Intermediate League next season so there will be 7 teams in the First next season.

didnt think they were gona be in the loi anyway.. hopefully cobh can get back in

**bullit** · 04/12/2012, 8:29 PM

Originally Posted by White Horse

.....

However, I thought he started to fit in much better as the season went on and he did a good job filling in at centre half. I'm not as down on him as some Dundalk fans.

I think a lot of Dundalk fans where more Pee'd off with his role as club/team Captain rather than his playing abilities.

Not a bad player imo but defo no leader of a football club/team!!

**oriel** · 04/12/2012, 10:50 PM

LMFM tweeted yesterday that Dundalk were linked to Ruaidhri Higgins, he's a very good player, but I would be surprised to see him move to us, maybe with the Kenny link there is something in it.

Mark Farren would have been a great addition, but he's training with Glenavon, cant play until 1 Jan, prob under pre contract. I'd still take him from April, if he was free, but that would probably run into similar problems we had when we took Mickey Collins from the Irish League, ended up he couldnt play until July.

**sadloserkid** · 05/12/2012, 9:47 AM

Originally Posted by patrickccfc

didnt think they were gona be in the loi anyway.. hopefully cobh can get back in

I presume that's what Partizan meant, that Cobh will be in while Waterford will be taking their ball and going home.

**brendy_éire** · 05/12/2012, 10:03 AM

Ruaidhri Higgins is under contract here, so doubt he'd be going.

Farren does have a pre-contract with Glenavon. Getting to/from Dundalk may be a problem as he isn't allowed to drive yet.
Ciarán Martyn and Eddie McCallion are both at Glenavon, so that suits him.

**GCdfc** · 05/12/2012, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

Farren does have a pre-contract with Glenavon. Getting to/from Dundalk may be a problem as he isn't allowed to drive yet.

As in he doesn't have a license or is banned?

**sadloserkid** · 05/12/2012, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by GCdfc

As in he doesn't have a license or is banned?

Guessing here but I'd presume it's related to the brain surgery...

**Partizan** · 05/12/2012, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by sadloserkid

I presume that's what Partizan meant, that Cobh will be in while Waterford will be taking their ball and going home.

From what I hear Cobh are in no financial position to re-enter and quite frankly you couldn't blame us for 'taking our ball and going home'. How the FAI insist on a seven team FD being sustainable is beyond me.