LOI 2014 Thread

dreamers75

Ever read an article on LOI have a reply to all the nonsense in it.

Dodge did and does.

http://backpagefootball.com/new-league-season-same-old-problems-a-reply/71752/

civis_liberalis

Report: Galway FC 2-0 Mayo League

miroslavklose

geeky wrote: »

The thing is, I felt the selection - even if it was unavoidable - contributed to the hoof ball. We were outnumbered in the centre and the technical limitations of Bayly in particular were clear, so they ended up bypassing the midfield. With a better passer to partner Ryan Brennan, we have a better chance of getting it forward on the ground.

I wouldn't want to see McPhail starting every game for the reasons you state, but swapping him and Finn in and out would give us more creativity and variety. I only caught one pre-season game, Bayly was decent in it, but I'd question the logic of replacing a committed but technically limited player (Ricer) with one in the same mould. For me, he's cover when people are fit.

Agree whole-heartedly with your comments on Zayed. Sooner he's gone, the better. I'd rather have Quigley - who at least looked capable of changing the game when he was bothered.

I'd take issue with Ricer being technically limited. He's not flashy and he won't do the things Brennan can do, but he was always tidy and reliable and enabled the players with more vision to do what they do best. Bayly is a poor substitute for me, although admittedly he has talent he hasn't shown since leaving Rovers.

dfx-

Hard Worker wrote: »

I had no problem with the team selection. If he starts McPhail in every game early in the season, we won't have him for the latter stages. He has already had an English season and he's no spring chicken. Finn didn't have the end of season break that everyone else had as he spent 4 weeks at Burnley. He was injured while over there and will need time to ease back. Bayly has been very good pre season and has justified his selection.

I have no issue with the tactics given the team selection. McPhail still played 40 odd minutes anyway at 0-1, he could easily play one half...O'Connor/McCabe/Finn could share the other 45 minutes. Brennan immeasurably improved when Bayly went off. It is also a criticism of his squad that Bayly has to be picked as first choice, regardless of circumstance.

Bayly is not the answer. He was just as bad in the Cliftonville match in pre-season.

miroslavklose

dfx- wrote: »

I have no issue with the tactics given the team selection. McPhail still played 40 odd minutes anyway at 0-1, he could easily play one half...O'Connor/McCabe/Finn could share the other 45 minutes. Brennan immeasurably improved when Bayly went off. It is also a criticism of his squad that Bayly has to be picked as first choice, regardless of circumstance.

Bayly is not the answer. He was just as bad in the Cliftonville match in pre-season.

I can't make midweek matches usually, but from what I hear Boccer played well? As he seems to have all pre-season. He was shocking on Sunday though. His only meaningful contribution was a ridiculous scissors-tackle.

Lovely Bloke

Dear Leader says players earn too much.

Yes John. Yes they do.

This guys self-awareness must be absolutely non-existent.

Lovely Bloke

Oh also.

I convinced Uefa that they should do all the television rights centrally,

fúcking hell.

dan1895

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

Dear Leader says players earn too much.

Yes John. Yes they do.

This guys self-awareness must be absolutely non-existent.

Players earning too much is the problem. Sure thing.

Lovely bloke.

CHealy

Danny Murphy has left Cork City by mutual consent.

Strange one but it was clear from pre-season that Danny had no part to play in Caulfields plans, and knowing Danny, that would not have sit well. Think he has a full time job now and a young fella so that probably played a big part in it.

hufpc8w3adnk65

CHealy wrote: »

Danny Murphy has left Cork City by mutual consent.

Strange one but it was clear from pre-season that Danny had no part to play in Caulfields plans, and knowing Danny, that would not have sit well. Think he has a full time job now and a young fella so that probably played a big part in it.

Hes also training Crofton in the MSL.
Wonder will he be the next ex LOI player down Avondale

djpbarry

dfx- wrote: »

I have no issue with the tactics given the team selection. McPhail still played 40 odd minutes anyway at 0-1, he could easily play one half...O'Connor/McCabe/Finn could share the other 45 minutes. Brennan immeasurably improved when Bayly went off. It is also a criticism of his squad that Bayly has to be picked as first choice, regardless of circumstance.

Bayly is not the answer. He was just as bad in the Cliftonville match in pre-season.

I find it bizarre that Chambers and McCormack were off-loaded in favour of Bayly.

AgileMyth

djpbarry wrote: »

I find it bizarre that Chambers and McCormack were off-loaded in favour of Bayly.

I believe part of the reason they're so stuck in the middle is because they thought they'd have Richie Ryan for this year. They obviously spend more time looking through other club's contracts than their own.

They tried to sign several others before ending up with Bayly too.

dreamers75

AgileMyth wrote: »

I believe part of the reason they're so stuck in the middle is because they thought they'd have Richie Ryan for this year. They obviously spend more time looking through other club's contracts than their own.

They tried to sign several others before ending up with Bayly too.

Doesnt explain not offering Chambers or Mc Cormack anything tho.

Stephen maher signed for drogs, smashing player with us twice. Huge part in our league win hope it works out for him.

geeky

miroslavklose wrote: »

I'd take issue with Ricer being technically limited. He's not flashy and he won't do the things Brennan can do, but he was always tidy and reliable and enabled the players with more vision to do what they do best. Bayly is a poor substitute for me, although admittedly he has talent he hasn't shown since leaving Rovers.

No disrespect to Ricer - he's a model professional and, as you say, tidy and reliable. But his passing has never been particularly accurate in medium to long range and his game is more about energy and physicality than creativity. He's tailor-made for the defensive midfield position - a good water carrier, and I say that as a poor version of the same role!

However, in a 4-4-2, some would argue that you need more passing range, ball retention and creativity from at least one of your central midfielders than Rice offers. I'd be leaning towards this view, at least vs the top teams, so can see why Rice wouldn't be getting a run in the first 11. And I doubt he fancies being a backup - hence why I didn't have a problem with Rovers saying goodbye, though they could have had a bit more class about it.

TLDR Version - Rice is a very effective player in his role, but the central midfield in a 4-4-2 for a top LOI time probably requires more technical skill than he offers.

Amirani

geeky wrote: »

TLDR Version - Rice is a very effective player in his role, but the central midfield in a 4-4-2 for a top LOI time probably requires more technical skill than he offers.

And that's where Robert Bayly comes in... :pac:

geeky

NiallSparky wrote: »

And that's where Robert Bayly comes in... :pac:

And that's my point. No point replacing Rice for valid reasons with a player who has the same limitations - and a worse attitude.

dreamers75

Whats up with Rovers and 442? Croly a huge fan of 433/352 assumed he would build a team similiar with Rovers.

We struggled to do it when our 11 was weakened last year but have signed players to ensure we can switch between 433/352 during games and can cover it from the bench.

dfx-

djpbarry wrote: »

I find it bizarre that Chambers and McCormack were off-loaded in favour of Bayly.

Chambers wouldn't really work either, he tried Chambers, he would pick up less bookings though.

McCormack should be central midfield, but Croly obviously doesn't see him as one, steadfastly refused to play him there.

anncoates

dreamers75 wrote: »

Doesnt explain not offering Chambers or Mc Cormack anything tho..

Squad had too many midfielders. Some clubs actually trim their squads when they're not bringing in Euro money. Unbelievable concept in the LOI, I know.

Croly kept trying to play Chambers as a deep midfielder and he was shit at it. Still a player I rate though, when used properly.

Croly or Kenny didn't fancy Mccormack as a midfielder and he was unhappy because he wasn't being used there so is now at Pats where he won't play there either.

Brennan is a better player than Rice or McCormack. Robinson was kept because he has a role with the schoolboys now. Ryan was wanted, but left us to go to Canada. Bayly playing for small wage to get himself back into the game.

djpbarry

anncoates wrote: »

Croly kept trying to play Chambers as a deep midfielder and he was shit at it.

That's the role he played at Pats a couple of years ago and he was superb.

anncoates wrote: »

Croly or Kenny didn't fancy Mccormack as a midfielder and he was unhappy because he wasn't being used there so is now at Pats where he won't play there either.

He has his work cut out alright. But with Pats playing three in the middle and Fahey unlikely to be around for long, he's bound to get his chance, especially if a European run develops. He's still only 23.

geeky

dreamers75 wrote: »

Whats up with Rovers and 442? Croly a huge fan of 433/352 assumed he would build a team similiar with Rovers.

We struggled to do it when our 11 was weakened last year but have signed players to ensure we can switch between 433/352 during games and can cover it from the bench.

Either Croly is weak and bowing to pressure or - and I hope this is the case - he realises that a more attacking approach is important to breaking down those mid-level teams, particularly in Tallaght. Turning just a few of those draws into wins will make a big impact in the final table.

I don't think he had the players to do a 4-4-2 last season - certainly not at the start of it.

monkey9

Sligo Vs St Pat's in the SSC is live on Setanta.

civis_liberalis

Report: Waterford United 0-0 Galway FC

dreamers75

geeky wrote: »

Either Croly is weak and bowing to pressure or - and I hope this is the case - he realises that a more attacking approach is important to breaking down those mid-level teams, particularly in Tallaght. Turning just a few of those draws into wins will make a big impact in the final table.

I don't think he had the players to do a 4-4-2 last season - certainly not at the start of it.

Certainly has them now but when Us and Sligo/Dundalk come and play with 3 in the middle he will have to change to stop us.

anncoates wrote: »

Squad had too many midfielders. Some clubs actually trim their squads when they're not bringing in Euro money. Unbelievable concept in the LOI, I know.

Considering you had all the LOI midfielders last year wasnt a shock.

dreamers75

Gartland and Bradley sign for Lucan united :O

CSF

Gartland isn't good enough for any LOI level anyway. Not that I've any idea where Lucan sit in the levels below LOI.

dreamers75

CSF wrote: »

Gartland isn't good enough for any LOI level anyway. Not that I've any idea where Lucan sit in the levels below LOI.

They getting more money than certain Pats players. Dunno why Junior sides do this and its always the weird ones.....like who the **** are Lucan United?

bohsboy

dreamers75 wrote: »

They getting more money than certain Pats players. Dunno why Junior sides do this and its always the weird ones.....like who the **** are Lucan United?

Mark Rutherford with them for a good few years too. Well known up and coming junior team who play in celbridge strangely.

geeky

dreamers75 wrote: »

Certainly has them now but when Us and Sligo/Dundalk come and play with 3 in the middle he will have to change to stop us.

Either that or take a leaf from Sligo's book and get the ball from the engine room to the wings quickly. That's where better ball skills from Finn or McPhail will be vital, and it'll also require all the midfielders to put a shift in defensively.

My fear is that the team will get lazy and just keep punting long balls at you guys.

dreamers75

Congrats Sligo Rovers 2014 Champions.


Stuey Byrne wrote off your title hopes on Off The Ball tonight, so thats that in the bag