Dundalk v Drogheda Utd | League Round 32 | Friday 29 September 19.45

[mike]

Great to get two wins on the spin, and very good second half, ended up fairly comfortable.

Realistically we will need to go unbeaten rest of season to have a chance of 4th, that's a big big ask, and Shels away on Fri, would probably have to win that to harbour hopes of nicking 4th, I think its a bridge too far, but lets keep going and see how far it takes us, why not?

On the crowds, I stopped doing the attendance pages as the figures called out were annoying me some weeks, for example there was clearly just over 3k there last night, you can always tell by behind town goal having a few rows, and shed on uncovered area town side was full, add that to a decent away and its usually just over 3k, so my guess would have been 3,050 something like that and not the 2,827 called out, plus a good few told me their ST / tickets didn't scan, anyway.

On the Drogs crowd, looking at the video of Doyles goal, not as many as looked from the stand, probably 400 away ?

On the MOTM, Durrant, that was just a joke, it was Doyle or Sloggett all night long, actually Benson in mix too, I think I'd have gone for Doyle not just his goal, he ran from MF and put in a brilliant block, possibly goal chance for Drogs mid way first half, and he won the ball.

A good incentive to beat Shels on Fri, win and we leapfrog them, but away wins were rare enough this season, it will be tough.

[Daviddrog]

On the Drogs crowd, looking at the video of Doyles goal, not as many as looked from the stand, probably 400 away ?

There was whatever your club allocated to us as away end was sold out by thursdsy I think.

[oldfogey]

On the MOTM, Durrant, that was just a joke, it was Doyle or Sloggett all night long, actually Benson in mix too, I think I'd have gone for Doyle not just his goal, he ran from MF and put in a brilliant block, possibly goal chance for Drogs mid way first half, and he won the ball.

Just a reminder that the MOTM is chosen by the sponsor's group at the match, not the commentary team, or the journalists. Disagree by all means, but no need to insult them over it. Given the amount they put in over the course of the year, I'd happily let them have it.

[betregal]

Great win, fully deserved, however could have ended 2 all when they struck the cross bar. But delighted with the win. A decent performance & effort put in by all. I feel 2 or 3 good additions to this team would improve us greatly, we would of course have to let quite a few go, be them not good enough, injury prone, not interested etc. The defeats to Rovers & Derry first half against Pat's, I for one could not be critical of the teams effort, probably just not good enough in areas & so many injuries. As I say a few good additions & cutting loose several members we could again be very competitive.

On the criticism of Sloggett I think it's very harsh, to me he always tries his best whether good enough that is debatable, he is not a centre back but plays there out of necessity, it's not the lads fault that our centre backs are constantly injured. I'm sure he would be the first to acknowledge that he is not a centre back. Wish we had more like him for his honesty & effort. Other criticism of other players especially young players I also think is overboard, Ryan gets a lot pass's as he is our own, perhaps we should give some of these younger lads the same pass's which Ryan receives. It seems it's more of the experienced players who are regularly injured.

Finally just a thought on Stephen's effort to assemble a squad at the start of a season, I'm sure he would love to have the bulk of his squad assembled early on but it seems, be it due to a limited budget & support from upstairs, the wealthier clubs out bidding us, he has no choice but to go for loan deals & getting players in so late. Getting players in so late & trying to get them into his style of.play takes a number of weeks to integrate.

You know we haven't gone away yet for 4th place, who knows where this crazy season will finish.

[mike]

On the MOTM, Durrant, that was just a joke, it was Doyle or Sloggett all night long, actually Benson in mix too, I think I'd have gone for Doyle not just his goal, he ran from MF and put in a brilliant block, possibly goal chance for Drogs mid way first half, and he won the ball.

Just a reminder that the MOTM is chosen by the sponsor's group at the match, not the commentary team, or the journalists. Disagree by all means, but no need to insult them over it. Given the amount they put in over the course of the year, I'd happily let them have it.

Fully aware its a sponsors choice, still think it was most odd given three others clearly were better than him on the night. However you are correct on the sponsor putting money in and absolutely fair play to them, its most welcome in these times.

[niall_hearty2000]

Great win, fully deserved, however could have ended 2 all when they struck the cross bar. But delighted with the win. A decent performance & effort put in by all. I feel 2 or 3 good additions to this team would improve us greatly, we would of course have to let quite a few go, be them not good enough, injury prone, not interested etc. The defeats to Rovers & Derry first half against Pat's, I for one could not be critical of the teams effort, probably just not good enough in areas & so many injuries. As I say a few good additions & cutting loose several members we could again be very competitive.

On the criticism of Sloggett I think it's very harsh, to me he always tries his best whether good enough that is debatable, he is not a centre back but plays there out of necessity, it's not the lads fault that our centre backs are constantly injured. I'm sure he would be the first to acknowledge that he is not a centre back. Wish we had more like him for his honesty & effort. Other criticism of other players especially young players I also think is overboard, Ryan gets a lot pass's as he is our own, perhaps we should give some of these younger lads the same pass's which Ryan receives. It seems it's more of the experienced players who are regularly injured.

Finally just a thought on Stephen's effort to assemble a squad at the start of a season, I'm sure he would love to have the bulk of his squad assembled early on but it seems, be it due to a limited budget & support from upstairs, the wealthier clubs out bidding us, he has no choice but to go for loan deals & getting players in so late. Getting players in so late & trying to get them into his style of.play takes a number of weeks to integrate.

You know we haven't gone away yet for 4th place, who knows where this crazy season will finish.

Beat post on here in a very long time. Spot on.

[mike]

Yes have to agree good post indeed by BR.

If we get 4th it will be a near miracle, and if Pats (have to be cup favs) win it, what a bounce back that would be.

Its still hoping for a lot of ifs / buts, that said, lets see where things stand if we beat Shels, if we lose, or maybe draw I think 4th is probably gone.

Whatever happens this year, the disaster in Galway will take some erasing, has to be one of the worst results for the club in 20 years?

[GC.]

Drogheda supporters banned for game in Tallaght due to match official getting hit by a pyrotechnic in Oriel. Surely a proper punishment would be a home match behind closed doors.

[TrevDaRev2]

I see they’re going to appeal but between that a tearing down barriers to separate fans I doubt they’ll be successful. Home game is a direct impact on club finances and would be a blunt enough tool for me I think one away is enough to make a statement

[Daviddrog]

Drogheda supporters banned for game in Tallaght due to match official getting hit by a pyrotechnic in Oriel. Surely a proper punishment would be a home match behind closed doors.

If that was the case, a lot of other clubs would also be behind closed doors this season.

Anyway, Dundalk should be fined also for poor stewarding. While I get that drogheda supporters should be kept back for a few minutes afterwards, it was quite obvious that some Dundalk supporters were refusing to leave the ground.

This was pointed out by a number of drogheda supporters to Dundalk stewards at the gate where one steward reacted by asking for a fight (he had to be dragged back by the guards).

Dundalk supporters were allowed make their way down towards drogheda supporters without any issues. Drogheda supporters were also quite easily able to react without any issues and a few slaps had. Could’ve got nasty only for the Dundalk lads bolted.

Very poor stewarding

For the record - obviously nothing should ever be thrown on the pitch. It’s happened a few time with a number of teams supporters this season

[TrevDaRev2]

Drogheda supporters banned for game in Tallaght due to match official getting hit by a pyrotechnic in Oriel. Surely a proper punishment would be a home match behind closed doors.

If that was the case, a lot of other clubs would also be behind closed doors this season.

Anyway, Dundalk should be fined also for poor stewarding. While I get that drogheda supporters should be kept back for a few minutes afterwards, it was quite obvious that some Dundalk supporters were refusing to leave the ground.

This was pointed out by a number of drogheda supporters to Dundalk stewards at the gate where one steward reacted by asking for a fight (he had to be dragged back by the guards).

Dundalk supporters were allowed make their way down towards drogheda supporters without any issues. Drogheda supporters were also quite easily able to react without any issues and a few slaps had. Could’ve got nasty only for the Dundalk lads bolted.

Very poor stewarding

For the record - obviously nothing should ever be thrown on the pitch. It’s happened a few time with a number of teams supporters this season

Poor stewarding aside still doesn’t condone the actions of Drogheda fans. Make all the excuses you like but it’s a fair punishment for what went on

[Daviddrog]

In comparison to what other clubs punishment was for hitting officials with objects has been, it’s not a fair punishment.

It’s a nothing game for us at this stage of season so not many will be too bothered, but it’s the principal of it.

We’ll easily win the appeal.

Hopefully they do look at the stewarding on Friday also though (separate issue I know).

[TrevDaRev2]

In comparison to what other clubs punishment was for hitting officials with objects has been, it’s not a fair punishment.

It’s a nothing game for us at this stage of season so not many will be too bothered, but it’s the principal of it.

We’ll easily win the appeal.

Hopefully they do look at the stewarding on Friday also though (separate issue I know).

I don't recall any equivalent and the FAI are taking a stronger approach this season, can't see the appeal winning

[Daviddrog]

In comparison to what other clubs punishment was for hitting officials with objects has been, it’s not a fair punishment.

It’s a nothing game for us at this stage of season so not many will be too bothered, but it’s the principal of it.

We’ll easily win the appeal.

Hopefully they do look at the stewarding on Friday also though (separate issue I know).

I don't recall any equivalent and the FAI are taking a stronger approach this season, can't see the appeal winning

There’s been a number of times this season that linesmen have been hit by an object.

There’s been a number of times this season, flares have been thrown on pitches.

Dundalk supporters time would be best served looking at the jokeshop security last Friday

[GC.]

In comparison to what other clubs punishment was for hitting officials with objects has been, it’s not a fair punishment.

It’s a nothing game for us at this stage of season so not many will be too bothered, but it’s the principal of it.

We’ll easily win the appeal.

Hopefully they do look at the stewarding on Friday also though (separate issue I know).

I don't recall any equivalent and the FAI are taking a stronger approach this season, can't see the appeal winning

There’s been a number of times this season that linesmen have been hit by an object.

There’s been a number of times this season, flares have been thrown on pitches.

Dundalk supporters time would be best served looking at the jokeshop security last Friday

If Drogheda supporters behaved then security would barely have been noticed. Look in the mirror before pointing the finger elsewhere.