Dundalk v Brunos Magpies | UECL R1 L2 | Thursday 20 July 19.45

[dundalkfc1903]

Great result and we should never take for granted winning a tie in Europe, it's a good achievement.

That aside, the performance was up and down. When we played at a higher tempo and got in their faces we looked far better than them. When we took the foot off the gas we looked vulnerable.

Still think a lot of our problems stem from the midfield. We looked shaky at the back but we've no outright 6 protecting them. We've no natural 10 creating. Just not working in there.
Malley so sloppy again. 3 times he hit no-look passes. Lazy showpony.
Sloggett off the pace also. Kokko not involved and rightly subbed.
Martin did well , direct and aggressive

Love the all white kit, would love to see a permanent change to it being our home kit.

[inflikted]

Magpies put up a good account of themselves and Gibraltar football. Reckon they'll come back stronger in Europe next season looking at how competitive the league is going to be this season, although they will have a challenge on their hands to qualify with only 2 Conference League spots available and both St Joseph's (now owned by ex-Burnley owner Mike Garlick) and Manchester 62 (US-owned and signing a number of players with SPFL/Cymru Premier/NIFL/LOI experience) showing a lot of intent this summer, although Europa FC look considerably weaker despite holding their own against Dukagjini. I'd be worried about drawing them in the ECL next year.

[seand]

Poor enough first half, again, completely failed to kick on after scoring. Second half was verging on good at times. Job done. Let's not underestimate any win in Europe. Rovers were- tragically!- destroyed home and away by Icelandic side, Pats lost home and away to Luxembourg team, Derry sneaked past a Faroes side by 1 goal. Glentoran lost to Maltese opposition, one of the Welsh went out v Andorra side.

Big improvement required against KA though.

[GC.]

Hard earned win after it looked like we should cruise past Magpies.

We are still missing a ball winner in the centre of midfield and a left full. As per most matches the ball over Leahy into the corner caused us most problems as he is more often than not caught too far away from his man.

O’Kane really came to life in the second half but they made it difficult for him to get crosses in. There were quite a few good blocks by their right full.

Hoban did what Hoban does when he doesn’t have a strong centre midfield behind him. He worked his socks off 30 years a further back than he really should be playing.

Not one of Yi-kokos best days and it was good to see that O’Donnell saw it early too. I think both he and Dundalk would benefit from another season with us and build up strength.

Davies was great again. If he is not signed up for next year he should be. Some of the winnings should be put towards Sheppard too. It’s impossible to do well without a keeper of his calibre, and youth is on his side.

KA will be tougher but we will have the benefit of not having to play in immense heat.

[magarnagle]

Certainly not a classic, nervy and sloppy at times but it's all about getting through.

Plenty didn't cover themselves in glory last night. Good that SOD noticed it wasn't working and made the early change, won us the game.

I'd have Leahy at CB ahead of Annesley, he's a mistake waiting to happen. Although I'm not sure McCourt is a fullback. Time to get Brownley in.
Midfield poor as well, Malley way too casual. Unfortunately Doyle hasn't done it when he's got in, which hasn't been a lot tbf.

Will need to be a lot better to have a chance against KA. Think they would be favourites

[Louth4sam]

As per most matches the ball over Leahy into the corner caused us most problems as he is more often than not caught too far away from his man.

Actually just posted something similar in the Rovers thread. We have a massive issue there and teams seem to be exploiting it. Not sure if this is an instruction and the centre halves are drifting too far right and Leahy is dropping in to cover, or if he's doing this himself which would be strange that Skip hasn't addressed. Either way it's a glaring weakness and it doesn't appear to happen on the right side.

[Louth4sam]

Love the all white kit, would love to see a permanent change to it being our home kit.

I'm a massive fan of the all white kit. Looks so tidy and professional.

[Martin Lawlor80]

It seems that every week James Rogers on his podcast states that we have a season defining week of games coming up. Well last night’s game was the biggest game of the season so far. I really dread to think what would have happened if we had not gone through. I think it would have set us back years and years, so thankfully the team nailed it.
A lot of discussion about the defence. For me Boyler had one of those terrible games that he throws in every so often and that unsettled us.

Thought the ref and linesmen were superb and showed us how bad the standard is in LOI. The linesmen were in perfect position all game. In LOI they are constantly running to get into position. A bit of off the ball stuff and a few heavy challenges but ref never overreacted and only produced cards when needed

[BigChief]

Agree with this also, Lilywhites should be all white.

wonder is this something the club is perhaps considering.

[niall_hearty2000]

You'd be hopeful that after the money generated from last night's win that the club could sit down with sheppard and offer him a new 2 yr deal . Not sure how long Archie Davies is signed for, but sign him for another 2 yr deal as well. If after that we can sign a new player then great, but I'd be after the re signing of those two to begin with.

[Richie87]

You'd be hopeful that after the money generated from last night's win that the club could sit down with sheppard and offer him a new 2 yr deal . Not sure how long Archie Davies is signed for, but sign him for another 2 yr deal as well. If after that we can sign a new player then great, but I'd be after the re signing of those two to begin with.

They'll still have to cover he trip to Iceland which wouldn't be cheap. One of the most expensive countries in Europe.

[Pepsi]

You'd be hopeful that after the money generated from last night's win that the club could sit down with sheppard and offer him a new 2 yr deal . Not sure how long Archie Davies is signed for, but sign him for another 2 yr deal as well. If after that we can sign a new player then great, but I'd be after the re signing of those two to begin with.

Niall, they should be signing them up regardless of winning last night. 2 best consistant performers we have. There are one or two other signings, I just dont know where they found them or if they are here taking the piss.

All in all the team and management did what had to be done. It was not a great performance but the result counted and they got that. Would love to see us sign a left back and a strong holding midfielder who gives a shit and is willing to give 120% per game instead of on 60 - 70 when it suits.

[niall_hearty2000]

You'd be hopeful that after the money generated from last night's win that the club could sit down with sheppard and offer him a new 2 yr deal . Not sure how long Archie Davies is signed for, but sign him for another 2 yr deal as well. If after that we can sign a new player then great, but I'd be after the re signing of those two to begin with.

Niall, they should be signing them up regardless of winning last night. 2 best consistant performers we have. There are one or two other signings, I just dont know where they found them or if they are here taking the piss.

All in all the team and management did what had to be done. It was not a great performance but the result counted and they got that. Would love to see us sign a left back and a strong holding midfielder who gives a shit and is willing to give 120% per game instead of on 60 - 70 when it suits.

To be fair I think Malley and sloggett get bad press. Both decent players but maybe not as suited so much together. We really need a shields or O'Donnell in there and a Towell. We don't have that which unfortunately puts the defence under pressure. Equally when Hoban drops back deep it means we have no outlet further up the field. With that in mind I think we should be playing Elliott or Martin up front with him so if Hoban drops deep and lays it off we can go direct to either Martin or Elliott. Hoban dropping back as I say gives us no outlet up top and also slows down the move as we are then left to either go backwards or sideways. . That's not a criticism of Hoban or his play just that he has to drop deep with how we play and that leaves us short up top.

[Wexford White]

Love the all white kit, would love to see a permanent change to it being our home kit.

I'm a massive fan of the all white kit. Looks so tidy and professional.

i would hate to see an all white kit adopted.
Black and white forever!

[Wexford White]

What was the white tent behind the town end goal?