Re: Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk | League Round 28 | Friday 25 August 19.45 **RTE2**

[oldfogey]

Not sure that our form over the last 4 weeks is any cause for optimism, but we weren't exactly setting the world on fire in the lead up to the cup match against Rovers in July either. We've become a Jekyll and Hyde(mostly)team. Also still have injury problems with 2 keepers on the bench again last night. You would have to assume Greg Sloggett wasn't fit as we could have done with a bit of steel in the second half. I assume O'Kane had a knock? He didn't look to happy after he came off.

[Richie87]

I think O Kane needs to do more in games .It's ok doing a jig taking corners, but needs to show more. There is players at other clubs standing out James McManus at Bohs,Adam Murphy at Pats. Both are younger then O Kane and heavily linked to UK moves. He's 20 now so time to step up.

[Gearóid Bellew]

I think O Kane needs to do more in games .It's ok doing a jig taking corners, but needs to show more. There is players at other clubs standing out James McManus at Bohs,Adam Murphy at Pats. Both are younger then O Kane and heavily linked to UK moves. He's 20 now so time to step up.

I do wonder if O'Kane is feeling under pressure to perform causing him to try too hard & he ends up making mistakes as a result.

[Johnnybegood33]

CMON THE TOWN . We have the measure of Rovers , on our favourite AWAY GROUND . 👍

[bigalan]

CMON THE TOWN . We have the measure of Rovers , on our favourite AWAY GROUND . 👍

Never change Johnny. Mr Positive

[mike]

I think SOD needs to look at the shape of the team more and games like this is a perfect example to build up what is hopefully a good finish and with the cup in mind too.

I'd go with a back 4 of Leahy - Brownlie - Boyle - Davies and leave it as this for as many games as possible, injuries exempted, or maybe throw McCourt in left and move Leahy into the middle to replicate same type of system cup game v Rovers, 5 at the back.

MF - I think Malley needs a run of games out of the team, I'd go with trio in the middle of Horgan / Sloggett / Koko.................Doyle seems off the pace post his injury and it would be great to have Benson to spring on for the 15 mins for future games. Lewis has been disappointing most of the season, pity Ward is injured, but there you go.

O'Kane and Kelly on the wings, but a close call for Durrant to be included and maybe he gets the nod away to Rovers, Hoban up front but Martin has proved very good in recent, weeks, so my Xi tomorrow v Rovers.

............................Sheps.......................

Davies.............Brownlie....Boyle.........Leahy

.................Kokko.......Sloggett..............
..........................Horgan.........................

Kelly....................Hoban.................Durrant.

[oldfogey]

Shepperd
Davies
Annesley
Kelly
Sloggett
Martin
Horgan
Muller
Brownlie
Yli-Kokko
Malley

Subs:
Leahy; Boyle; Lewis; Hoban; Cherrie; Elliott; McCourt; Doyle; Durrant

[Towelie]

Don't like that team but you never know?

Seen Rovers have 700 kids in free from local sides. We should be looking to do the same.

[Martin Lawlor80]

We need to stop giving up these soft goals ffs.

We played well otherwise but no good just showing up against rovers , we need to a consistent level of performance for the run in

[Johnnybegood33]

Deserved something from the game . Sam Durant looks very good on wing & a real threat . If he had started & had a fit Pat Hoban we could have got the 3 points . Rovers lucky to get result . We need to put in same shift agsinst Derry . Cmon the Town .

[Towelie]

Need to be getting at least a point next week to keep within touching distance of bohs. The head to heads against themselves and Pats really are must wins if we want 4th imo.

Need to stay in the cup as well.

[mike]

Deserved something from the game . Sam Durant looks very good on wing & a real threat . If he had started & had a fit Pat Hoban we could have got the 3 points . Rovers lucky to get result . We need to put in same shift agsinst Derry . Cmon the Town .

Introduced far far too late, I looked him up, his last game for Wednesday was a sub appearance in front of 33k, he should have started.

Although first half we actually were excellent overall, more very odd selections, Boyle / Leahy / Hoban all on bench in hardest away game.

No further questions your honour.

[Richie87]

It's not a great Rovers team. They might do enough to get 4 in a row but would need a lot of changes in the off-season. Lack pace and an ageing team.
Derry are starting to click in the last few weeks. Unlucky to lose Colm Whelan for the season.

[dundalkfc1903]

Rovers dominated and deserved the win. We had a decent spell in the first half but second half we were average. Nothing will change until the midfield is sorted, someone who can dictate play.
Boyles extended parental leave is bizarre. As Roy Keane once said , he didn't have the baby

[Towelie]

I'm not too down and out after last night but I'd worry about Europe, I hope the owners have a contingency plan for funding if that doesn't come to be *touch wood*

There were positives from last night, Sam Durrant looks like he could be a very good player at this level although I hope he's more consistent than Tulloch was near the end. We're also starting to see Daryl linking up with the other players in the front three, we're looking more dangerous, just need to start taking our chances. Hayden Muller played very well on the left.