Dundalk v Derry| League Round 2 | Friday 1 September 19.45

[Carrick_Road]

Suprised there hasnt already been a thread set up for this one.

Tough one tonight, lets hope we can start well.

If all fit, I would agree with Mike on the Shamrock Rovers thread, This id probably our strongest starting XI

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

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

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

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

[oldfogey]

Suprised there hasnt already been a thread set up for this one.

I normally set up the next thread a couple of days after the previous game (unless there is a need for earlier i.e. match tickets) however one was already done last Sunday for Dindalk v Derry. Last time I corrected someone and created a new one I caught a bollo%&ing, so I left it alone. I have to admit to being a bit OCD about stuff like this. If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right.

Tough one tonight, lets hope we can start well.

If all fit, I would agree with Mike on the Shamrock Rovers thread, This id probably our strongest starting XI

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

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

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

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

It appears Boyle picked up a knock in training during the week and is doubtful. O'Kane is back fit again.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/preview-dunda ... s's%20side.

[inflikted]

No Annesley today, probably flying out for international duty

[Wexford White]

No Annesley today, probably flying out for international duty

I don't think he does a lot for us

[niall_hearty2000]

No Annesley today, probably flying out for international duty

I don't think he does a lot for us

Agreed WW. Is he injured as not on bench but in attendance.
A very strong starting 11. Also no John Martin in the squad. Is he carrying a knock.

[niall_hearty2000]

Don't deserve to go in one down at ht. Had 3 great chances to take the lead. Equally they missed a sitter just after scoring.
Malley totally at fault for the goal. Gave away the ball cheaply and either hadn't the pace, or just gave up chasing Patching down.

[Towelie]

Malley gave it away for the second as well. Needs dropped, absolute calamity of a player.

An element of rotten luck tonight. Brian Maher played like a man posessed.

[Pepsi]

Not going to comment on the game, result says it all. Points are what count when you are a club that depends on Europe to prop up and support the budget ... we aint getting the points, however we are getting plenty of excuses, will the owners back excuses with hard cash next season?
Malley will surely be gone at the end of the season, along with some of the others brought in this season .... no European money next season will see us back to loan deals or signings from the bargain basement. The big question is and remains ... with this squad and the manager, should we be sitting higher than 6th and 7 points of 3rd. What do the owners do at the end of the season? Is it time to get an old head in in the hope that he will get more out of the players, does SOD get another season with a smaller budget ..... will the owners be here next season or will it get too expensive for them?

[dundalkfc1903]

I get the impression with the tinkerman tactics that O'Donnell isn't really understanding the seriousness of situation.
We need Europe, so quit with the inverted full backs and the chopping and changing of formations and players
Pick two centre backs and put two natural full backs either side. Identify the best number six in the squad and build from that foundation.
Lose to Galway and he is going to be under much more scrutiny.
To me it looks like it's falling apart. It's no better than Ian Fosters season.
As for Malley, if you're lazier and slower than will patching then it's time for another career.

[niall_hearty2000]

Why take our two best players off in lil kokko and Durrant? Baffling decisions. And chasing a goal we bring on benson McCourt and Lewis and leave Elliott on the bench? Had no luck tonight with hitting post, crossbar and Maher having the game of his life. Add in shels beating pats and the night couldn't have gone any worse for us

[Pepsi]

Why take our two best players off in lil kokko and Durrant? Baffling decisions. And chasing a goal we bring on benson McCourt and Lewis and leave Elliott on the bench? Had no luck tonight with hitting post, crossbar and Maher having the game of his life. Add in shels beating pats and the night couldn't have gone any worse for us

Niall I hate saying it, however it looks like SOD is out of his depth (maybe lacking an old head at his side to guide him, often ask myself how much influence his past pro license holders had over the last 2-3 seasons prior to this one), he looks like he doesn't have a plan B nor does it look like he is getting his message over to the players in the sense they don't seem to understand his tactics ... if they do and cannot implement them, then ...... the owners have to step in.

[Richie87]

Brownlie was as bad as Malley for the first 2 goals. Like he was moving in quicksand.

[Martin Lawlor80]

I agree that we gave away very soft goals but only for us hitting the woodwork twice and their keeper having the game of his life we could have had 5. If Durantt had buried his first half chance we’d have won the game.
I thought tonight and against rovers last week we’ve been playing better and looking more dangerous than the rest of the season. Big game against Galway. We need to defend much better.

[TrevDaRev2]

I find it hard to criticise Malley when you’re playin him in the 6. He’s a 10 imo and has been hung out to dry at times. Him and Koko overrun completely in midfield. Muller and left back and Leahy at centre back has to be the maddest selection to date. Subs and tactical changes have been suspect all season. Difficult to get your head around it all

[Towelie]

I actually think Leahy's a better Left Centre Back than he is a Left Full. The only thing you'd miss is his crossing.

Playing inverted full backs is all well and good if you can pull it off (look at Man City and Celtic) however trying it in the final series of games with Europe on the line isn't wise.