Galway Utd v Dundalk | FAI Cup QF | Friday 15 September 19.45

[oldfogey]

This game has taken on huge importance not just in terms of how our season is viewed, but also in qualification for Europe for next year. John Caulfield has put together a good side and we need to have as big a travelling support as possible. Hopefully the international break will help get a few bodies back. Andy Boyle wearing a boot didn't look too promising though.

https://twitter.com/DundalkFC/status/16 ... Oobww&s=19

[TrevDaRev2]

This game has taken on huge importance not just in terms of how our season is viewed, but also in qualification for Europe for next year. John Caulfield has put together a good side and we need to have as big a travelling support as possible. Hopefully the international break will help get a few bodies back. Andy Boyle wearing a boot didn't look too promising though.

https://twitter.com/DundalkFC/status/16 ... Oobww&s=19

Apparently a calf injury according to Stevie which sounds odd to say the least. Feels like players are running on fumes and picking up knocks all over the place. Cant say i'd be positive about going into this one but hopefully the carrot of Europe is enough to get a good team perfomance that gets us through. Dont care if we play well just want to be in the semis because qualifying through the league looks an impossible task now

[mike]

There can be no underestimating the importance of this game, win and we are potentially 90 mins away from the Aviva, also if we manage to get Pats in the final, that's pretty much europe confirmed, as abs no way they will finish outside top 3.

But...........one step at a time, this will be a tough game, we will be favourites though**, and if we do win, we could easily get Pats or Bohs away in the semi, not sure I would fancy chances re either, if we lose, well that's going to make it a really hard 6 week run to end the season.

I think Drogs might do a number on Bohs actually, so if we do win, even Pats at home, I`d fancy our chances to lift it, but would obv want to avoid them.

SOD needs to pick the right team, and tighten up that defence or we are going out baby.


**Checked Odds....... 7/4 Galway 23/10 Dundalk 5/4

[mike]

Lets all get positive about Friday and why not, as we may not be in good form but its still a great opportunity for us.

What about the line up, who partners Brownlie (assuming Boyle is injured) in the centre ? And is it time to restore Leahy to LF?

Also per below does this indicate Benson is ready, does he start and do we just go for it, if he does, will Horgan move from centre to the left?

https://x.com/DundalkFC/status/1702010308598927843?s=20

[TrevDaRev2]

Lets all get positive about Friday and why not, as we may not be in good form but its still a great opportunity for us.

What about the line up, who partners Brownlie (assuming Boyle is injured) in the centre ? And is it time to restore Leahy to LF?

Also per below does this indicate Benson is ready, does he start and do we just go for it, if he does, will Horgan move from centre to the left?

https://x.com/DundalkFC/status/1702010308598927843?s=20

Piece in the Argus seems to think we're not a mile off full strength, think boyler is back from what I read. You'd expect midfield is where it'll be won or lost, and ye i think its time for Leahy to go back to left back. Id like to see something along these lines

Sheps
Davies Boyle (or Brownlie) Annsley Leahy
Sloggett
Horgan Malley
Martin (if fit) Hoban Durrant

O'Kane apparently back too so an option, or Malley in the 10 and Horgan out wide even. I think something like that should have enough to beat them but it'll depend on the night weve been so inconsistent in our performances

[mike]

Lets all get positive about Friday and why not, as we may not be in good form but its still a great opportunity for us.

What about the line up, who partners Brownlie (assuming Boyle is injured) in the centre ? And is it time to restore Leahy to LF?

Also per below does this indicate Benson is ready, does he start and do we just go for it, if he does, will Horgan move from centre to the left?

https://x.com/DundalkFC/status/1702010308598927843?s=20

Piece in the Argus seems to think we're not a mile off full strength, think boyler is back from what I read. You'd expect midfield is where it'll be won or lost, and ye i think its time for Leahy to go back to left back. Id like to see something along these lines

Sheps
Davies Boyle (or Brownlie) Annsley Leahy
Sloggett
Horgan Malley
Martin (if fit) Hoban Durrant

O'Kane apparently back too so an option, or Malley in the 10 and Horgan out wide even. I think something like that should have enough to beat them but it'll depend on the night weve been so inconsistent in our performances

Per DFC.com these 2 are out, so will probably be Brownlie and Muller in the middle of defence, or maybe Brownlie and Leahy actually?

One player who has completely slipped down the pecking order is Alfie Lewis, Doyle has also been disappointing post his injury, I can honestly see Benson making a big impact in this game coming on as a sub.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/odonnell-aimi ... trip-home/

[TrevDaRev2]

You think he’ll go with same 4 at the back as Derry? I think he’d be mad too tbh. Ye Lewis didn’t even come into my thinking given how little he’s been playin

[mike]

You think he’ll go with same 4 at the back as Derry? I think he’d be mad too tbh. Ye Lewis didn’t even come into my thinking given how little he’s been playin

Not sure, but between these 5 they conceded 3 goals v Derry, we obv need to tighten up, Annsely is off form so not worried there, but Boyle is a big loss:

Archie Davies, Darren Brownlie (Robbie McCourt 61), Darragh Leahy, Hayden Muller.

So who will be get to partner Brownlie, there are 3 choices, but also there is this option:

......................Shep......................

Davies.........Brownlie...,Muller.... Leahy........McCourt

Kelly...........Horgan.....Sloggett............Martin / Durrant / O'Kane

.........................Hoban..........................

12/ Benson - first man in to freshen up MF
13/ Durrant / O'Kane for either wing, Martin to be fair has been decent to be fair last 3-4 weeks.


That's 5 at the back, similar to R1 v Rovers, but problem above is no Boyle, but Leahy could play left side of a back 3 in middle and Davies and McCourt raiding full backs? In this formation Malley drops out, but highly unlikely SOD will do that, also its a bit negative away to a FD side, but again we need to get the balance right.

Its a tough one to predict, bordering on the cautious / tightening up / but at same time we need to score and win the game !

SOD needs to get it right whatever he picks and the team owe us a big big performance for 90 mins, not in stages v Derry and first half v Rovers.

[Pepsi]

Stream working again!

[oldfogey]

Stream working again!

Very hit and miss - like our defence.

[Richie87]

Dundalk have been terrible.galway could have 3

[Towelie]

Season over already. Crowd of overpaid inept gimps. U14s mentality. It would make you sick.

[dundalkfc1903]

Lose 3-1 to Derry, insist it was the greatest performance by a Dundalk side in living memory,make no changes, go 2-0 down to a first division team.

Stevie could be on his way.

[dundalkfc1903]

What that squad needs is more unknown unproven players from English lower league reserve sides.

[niall_hearty2000]

Back on as we go two down. Absolute disgrace. Sheppard horrific for the second.
Time for our owners to put up or pillowcase off. Adding zero to the club . And will add even less next season with no European football. We could and should be four down here. Yes a tough match as they are used to winning albeit in first division and they have a sell out crowd. But enough is enough now. Defence is an absolute shambles. Players there who are not up to this standard or they are simply going through the motions.
Honestly believe we are going nowhere with this squad, management team and more importantly owners.