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Messages - Rufus T Firefly

#76
Quote from: Mourne Rover on August 22, 2022, 12:08:43 PM
Marsch will probably calm down in due course but he was entitled to be a little over animated as all his new signings were highly impressive and he is clearly getting the best out of Rodrigo and Harrison.

Funny, it was only when I looked at the line up last night that it dawned on me how far removed the starting eleven was from the Championship winning side. Harrison and Meslier (who only came in for the last ten matches or so in 2020) were the only two to start from just three years ago. Granted Klich and Forshaw came on and Bamford, Dallas, Ayling and Cooper are all still out injured, but I felt for the first time that there was a real sense that the team has moved on considerably from promotion. 
#77
Quote from: ONeill on August 21, 2022, 06:42:03 PM
What's up with Marsch? Is he not liked at the club?

I think it was the love for Bielsa from right across the support that meant his replacement - whoever it was - was always going to have a big task to win the supporters over. Furthermore, there is a wee bit of soccer snobbery, given that he is a "Yank" and the sense I get is that the accent and some of the phraseology grates with some of the more old fashioned supporters who think that the USA is a soccer wilderness.

Last season he essentially had to work with what Bielsa had left him - a huge injury list included - with the primary aim of staying up, which he achieved. The team is now considered to be more in his image and it is accepted that he will now be judged on the results that follow. Bielsa was a God at the Club and is still much loved and revered, but if the team continue to perform like yesterday and Marsch continues to show the passion and commitment to the Club and the jersey, then he will win over the malcontents.

As for the game, it was a great occasion and a great performance. Thoroughly deserved win and one which particularly irked Thomas Tuchel.  :) It was a great team effort with excellent individual performances all over the pitch. Harrison given Man of the Match but I thought the two Americans were just ahead of him in terms of performance and Rodrigo is playing with confidence and is now at last looking like a Spanish International. Definite hope for the future and will be interesting to see if we add to the squad before the end of the transfer window. Newcastle are still said to be interested in sniffing around Harrison, but on the basis of yesterday, it should take a considerable sum of money to force his release. 
#78
Quote from: Denn Forever on August 18, 2022, 11:32:11 AM
Take heart in that you have more points than either Liverpool or Man U.

Hasn't gone unnoticed!!  ;D
#79
Should have had the three points at Southampton, as we were two up with less than half an hour to go. I have seen a lot of criticism of the manager, who it could be argued was too slow to make changes when Southampton were increasingly on the front foot. I note a number of analysts also highlighting that we seem to be vulnerable to attacks out wide, with both goals coming from those areas as teams get behind us.

Rodrigo is playing well and his confidence has to be improving, with three goals from two games. Bamford went off injured which highlighted again the need for reinforcements up front. The two U.S. lads seem to be playing well but the need for a left back also remains a priority. Still plenty of rumours linking us to different players, but nothing definite.   
#80
Quote from: Mourne Rover on August 07, 2022, 04:43:50 PM
Coming from behind to win against a side who finished well ahead of us last season was quite a performance. The new faces, particularly Aaronson, looked the part, although there still some clear defensive issues so the return of Cooper and the purchase of a left back are important, Our opening run of fixtures are relatively kind, apart from the visit of Chelsea, and we need to get some early points on the board, but confidence will definitely grow after yesterday.

Result was everything. I know listening to lads who saw the game live, that Wolves absolutely bossed the third quarter and they felt that Wolves could count themselves a tad unfortunate on the balance of play. So any optimism should be tempered. Aaronson looked impressive and hear there were good performances from Kristensen and Adams. Good to see Rodrigo score and Klich also meant to have performed well when he came on. The need for a striker and left back still need to be addressed. 

#81
Quote from: seafoid on July 30, 2022, 08:43:18 AM
Poor Burnley are back at work already
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0729/1313045-cullen-costelloe-help-burnley-make-perfect-start/

But for the grace of God....

Didn't see the game but by all accounts Burnley were very impressive, in what was a very tough opening fixture, with comments made about their possession and the number of passes they made. Kompany might prove to be a very astute signing as manager.
#82
Quote from: seafoid on July 13, 2022, 09:55:18 PM
Given the pointless dice with relegation last season , the decision to sell Rapinha and Phillips for the guts of 100m should provide the funds to reinforce the squad where necessary.https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0713/1309987-transfers-raphinha-barca-bound-as-leeds-agree-deal/

The whole process seems to be going well. We've sold our two most valuable players but have strengthened the squad considerably. I'll confess that I know little or nothing about the new players, other than what I read in the media, but there appear to be promising signs from matches played to date.. Once again, reports suggest we are still in with a chance of Charles De Ketelaere (sp?) as Milan are not willing to pay the asking price that Bruges have put down - a price Leeds have already surpassed.

We are also in the market for a striker and continue to be heavily linked to Arnaud Kalimuendo of PSG. Again, know little about him other than he did well at Lens on loan last season and is highly thought of in France as a future prospect.

One last thing to mention - with all the incoming players, a lot of the fringe players are now going out on loan or being moved on. Charlie Creswell and Jamie Shackleton have gone to Millwall, whilst Tyler Roberts is on loan to QPR. Leif Davis has been sold to Ipswich. Also talk of Lewis Bate going out on loan although no talk of Cody Drameh. 
#83
Quote from: J70 on July 25, 2022, 01:50:16 PM
f**king hell lads, we don't have to be cynical about everything.

I thought it was a nice, personal story. I'd be proud as f**k if my nephews won All Ireland medals, and no one who had lost a parent before their time would not be able to relate to a little sentimentality over how proud his father, a man he stated ignored serious medical symptoms to fulfill his county selector duties, would have been to see his sons and, now, grandsons, bring AI medals into the house.

Agreed.

I thought Pat was a terrible pundit and let his Kerry bias get too much in the way of any attempt at objectivity. The story about his Dad was moving though and given that he was referencing the first grandchildren to win Celtic Crosses, and indeed it was the end of an era for Pat himself, I think he should be forgiven that personal moment.

His own career though was a long time ago now, and has become a distant memory for many, so it is also worth remembering the absolutely wonderful footballer that he was. In my own mind, I cannot separate Jacko or him as to the greatest I have ever seen.
#84
General discussion / Re: The IRISH RUGBY thread
July 17, 2022, 08:45:33 AM
Wonderful sporting occasion yesterday and a huge result, which was evidenced by the range of conflicting and raw emotions from so many of the participants - players and management. Despite now being number one in the world, the chances of us becoming World Champions are remote. However we can comfort ourselves in the knowledge that when it comes to the begrudgery World Cup, we are almost certain to retain our crown.

I note also the references being made by the begrudgers to how many foreign born players featured for us yesterday. This issue has been going on in rugby for decades, long before Ireland got in on the act, with Australia and New Zealand in particular taking the best talent from the Pacific Islands. That talent helped them become world leaders (as evidenced by 5 World Cup triumphs) which of course the begrudgers used to highlight the poverty of our own talent in not getting beyond a World Cup quarter-final.

A famous win yesterday and victory in the series, but ironically - as this thread shows - the Irish rugby team just cannot win. 
#85
GAA Discussion / Re: Armagh v Galway AIQF
June 23, 2022, 10:39:07 AM
Quote from: Dreadnought on June 23, 2022, 08:58:11 AM
Not sure what to make of this match. Armagh are being bigged up a bit more than they should be imo. Don't get me wrong, good wins against (albeit terrible defending champions) Tyrone, and then a Donegal team, that even looking out of sorts, were fit to get back into the game and lead despite the bad start. The black card and penalty turned the game and then were able to coast after that. I'm just not sold on Armagh yet. For years they were fit to do it in league, but looked poor come summer when it mattered. They'll have huge momentum with their run, but really think a Galway team with good confidence, forwards in form, will be a very different thing than what they've seen this summer. It's a very different beast they'll be facing. I just think they flatter to deceive a lot. And with Rian O'Neill, a great player, but can go from the hottest of hot to the coldest of cold from one day to the next. If he has an off day, I don't see where Armagh get enough scores from. Think Galway are solid, playing well, and have 3 to 4 forward that need to be wrapped up, and can't see this being done to all of them so scores might come a bit easier to them. It'll be a battle and we'll see how Armagh go then, but I'd take Galway by 3.

I really, really hope you are wrong on that, but I don't mind telling you as an Armagh supporter and a lifelong member of the 'glass half empty brigade', your post articulated a lot of my fears ahead of this match.

This is as a good draw for Armagh (as it was for Galway) but too many are conflating a good draw with an easy draw and this match is not that. I would guess that Galway are - by some distance - the best team we will have played in the Championship this year and will represent a formidable obstacle for us.   
#86
GAA Discussion / Re: Attendances
June 09, 2022, 10:46:52 AM
Was there an official attendance given for the match in Armagh? I didn't see one given. I'd have guessed around 16-17,000.
#87
Quote from: JoeSoap on June 08, 2022, 09:00:23 AM
If you listen to Armagh players they say 2005 is the one that really hurts as they felt they were on course that year

In such tight games, there are many individual instances where a mistake is made, a refereeing decision goes the wrong way, the bounce of the ball goes one way and not the other, a player makes an uncharacteristic, unforced error, etc.  and that supporters can look back on and point to as being pivotal. Off the top of my head, I could think of half a dozen in that match.

Stevie McDonnell at that time was at the height of his powers. The goal he scored that day was sensational. Yet there was one incident in the second half where he run on to a bouncing ball, about fifteen yards out in front of the goals, and had a clear shot at a point, and blazed it wide. I remember hearing that for all his brilliance, and the scores he conjured out of nothing, that that moment haunted him for years.   
#88
Quote from: lurganblue on May 26, 2022, 10:40:28 AM
Do Leeds fans expect to lose Phillips too?

I don't think anyone is completely sure but I think there is an expectation that he will stay. Premier League football is obviously a big factor. Add to that he and his family are local and big Leeds supporters, so there is that added bond to the Club. Be interesting to see though if they look to renegotiate and tie him down to a longer deal.
#89
Brenden Aaronson is a done deal and he is expected in Leeds today for a medical. He will link up again with Jesse Marsch after they were together at Salzburg. Raphinha looks to be on his way out and to be fair, he is going with the blessing of the Leeds support as they recognise the commitment he made to what had looked like a no hope situation. Barca are meant to have offered a derisory 35/40 million euro offer as an opening gambit, but it's fair to say Leeds will be looking significantly more and are in a relatively strong bargaining position.

Harrison is also attracting interest from Newcastle, which hopefully with Spurs' interest, will generate a bit of a bidding war!! Wouldn't like to see him go but if the money is right (good), it might make sense to cash in.

Also some talk of Leeds renewing interest in Minamino from Liverpool although likely to face competition for his services. 

Leeds also being linked again with Aberdeen right back Calvin Ramsay.   
#90
Quote from: Tyrdub on May 25, 2022, 10:43:56 AM
Dalton

Dalton Entrance can be easily accessed from all sides of the ground.

If parking in town, go down towards the ground along the Ring Road or via Irish Street (and under the flyover), and go down past McAnerneys Supermarket car park, and go to the end of the Stand.

If parking as coming from the South (Newtownhamilton, Keady or Monaghan Roads), there is pedestrian access along the Monaghan Road, about 100 yards from the Keady / Monaghan Road junction, which takes you directly into the Dalton End.

If parking on the Killylea Road side of the ground, you can go in the main entrance to the Drumarg estate, and walk through the estate to get to the far (Dalton) end of the ground.