Derry City v St. Patrick's Athletic Match Thread

[TenaciousDee]

So far no team news out of either camp. Judging by the rumours and what we know, City will definitely be without Whelan, Diallo, McEneff, Dummigan and Fats. Duffy is a doubt after coming off injured on Friday and both Ciaron Harkin and Sam Todd played 90 minutes in Dundalk yesterday for the U20s so highly doubtful they will start. Fingers crossed Hoban is fit enough to start at least.

For all confirmed news, predictions and reaction, post here. If you can't get to the match it is live on LOITV, BBC Radio Foyle and Drive 105.

[forza]

Three points and the jeers will become cheers.

We are above Patrick in the table for a reason. Everyone behind the team and give them a manic monday

[barry]

Need to freshen things up.

Maher

Boyce Connolly McJannett Coll

O'Reilly Patching

Doherty Mullan. McMullan

Hoban

[rodgers]

Since making the bench versus Drogheda, P McEleney appears to have regressed as it doesn't look like he will be in tonight's squad.

Dummigan still out and it's not clear where he aggravated his injury.

McEneff appears to have broken a bone in training last week according to this:

https://www.derrycityfc.net/2024/04/pre ... cks-ath-4/

Despite going off v Rovers, there is no mention of Duffy's condition. Personally, I think he came off as a precaution for tonight once we went two down on Friday.

I'd like to see us revert to a back four and I like the look of Barry's team, on the assumption Duffy doesn't play (but with McMullan and Doherty switched).

[Nige92]

In the first game v St Pats this season, we didn't start playing until we went behind. The goal came from an individual error in defence (of which we've seen a few this year) but beyond that Pats did very little in the game.

I though we did well v Rovers in the first half, playing on the front foot. I suspect Pats won't be as open as Rovers were, they'll likely come to sit tight and hit on the break.

We need to watch out for pace on the counter if we're playing a high line. Given that we still have a number of injuries in midfield, I'd be inclined to give 3 CBs a run out again with Todd coming in instead of S McEleney.

McEneff has been added to the injury pile and sounds like he could be out for a number of weeks.

[brandyball]

Coll and Hoban start, Duffy and Shane on Bench

https://www.facebook.com/share/svuaR2ZarQkcjJHC/

[eugenio]

2 full backs playing full back releasing 2cc backs to just do their job Then we looked a side. 2 up front at last Maybe the fans are not so thick lol Now cut the stupid fouls outside the box and we won’t put pressure on ourselves.

[rodgers]

Scrappy game but nice to see a back four, Coll play and two strikers (both of whom score). Maybe won't work every game but think it's better at home than the back five.

[marcoloco]

And Kelly dropped!

Balance restored.

[davybhoy]

See what happens when you actually but two strikers up front- you actually score goals which isn't rocket science. 4-4-2 worked tonight- about time we seen the management team being proactive and changing the system.

[forza]

Well done Rory and the boys. A good answer tonight to some of the hysterics. We are 3 points off the top of the tree.

[mokendismucker]

All about the result tonight so job done.

Some good performances but Danny Mullen (striker) was outstanding. 5 goals in minutes equivalent to 5 matches ain’t a bad return for someone who some supporters with ‘higher standards’ stated wasn’t up to LOI standard. His performances are asking the right questions and makes playing two strikers a credible option.

Now we have to pick up a first away win in Waterford and see we’re back to back wins can take us.

On we go. RAWA,

[mokendismucker]

Well done Rory and the boys. A good answer tonight to some of the hysterics. We are 3 points off the top of the tree.

True that.

[marcoloco]

All about the result tonight so job done.

Some good performances but Danny Mullen (striker) was outstanding. 5 goals in minutes equivalent to 5 matches ain’t a bad return for someone who some supporters with ‘higher standards’ stated wasn’t up to LOI standard. His performances are asking the right questions and makes playing two strikers a credible option.

Now we have to pick up a first away win in Waterford and see we’re back to back wins can take us.

On we go. RAWA,

Told you before - don’t settle for 2nd best or substandard performances. You’ll get nowhere with that attitude.

Interesting that the formation changed tonight. We got the basics rights at last. Basics that certain fans have been calling for now for ages I should add.

[PauliAlonso]

See what happens when you actually but two strikers up front- you actually score goals which isn't rocket science.

So should we now play with three strikers? Or four? Then we'll be certs to win the league! It's not about how many strikers you have on the pitch, it's about where certain players are positioned in relation to the ball at any point. The position that Mullen took for the first goal, should usually be taken by the opposite winger in a 433. We're getting players in the box, that's helping.

[mokendismucker]

See what happens when you actually but two strikers up front- you actually score goals which isn't rocket science.

So should we now play with three strikers? Or four? Then we'll be certs to win the league! It's not about how many strikers you have on the pitch, it's about where certain players are positioned in relation to the ball at any point. The position that Mullen took for the first goal, should usually be taken by the opposite winger in a 433. We're getting players in the box, that's helping.

Yip. Although Derry were far from perfect last night and coughed up possession just too often. But the commitment was there and unlike Friday night the tackles went in. The 442 was dictated by the players available to the manager and one or two took time to adapt Patching in particular but he got there and the ball moved much more quickly and down the middle as opposed to funnelling it out to the wings all the time. As you say more men in the box and actually looked like we could counter with pace and menace. Mullen ran the channels really well and when you have 2 strikers in form and as good as him and Hoban it is an option but don’t expect it when or if the walking wounded return.

[barry]

Great result, poor performance. I agree with Higgins we were much better 1st half on Friday night.

Last night showed the pros and cons of 4 4 2. This formation gets goals and chances but we were far too easy to play against and struggled to press Pats. Had we played this against a better team we would have been taken apart.

Hopefully a result that gets some confidence

[eugenio]

We get carried away do we not by numbers 3 at the back 5 at the back 4 4 2 4 2 4. It’s how we play tat counts . the full backs last night just won everything The c backs only left one hole last night which to wasn’t punished . the front men won a lot of ball The thing changed when Mc Mullan and Doherty were allowed to tuck in beside O Reilly and Patching when necessary Pats couldn’t just get through Not two great looking sides tho to be honest

[marcoloco]

We get carried away do we not by numbers 3 at the back 5 at the back 4 4 2 4 2 4. It’s how we play tat counts . the full backs last night just won everything The c backs only left one hole last night which to wasn’t punished . the front men won a lot of ball The thing changed when Mc Mullan and Doherty were allowed to tuck in beside O Reilly and Patching when necessary Pats couldn’t just get through Not two great looking sides tho to be honest

It’s more simple than that.

Players playing in their favoured roles.

Not playing players out of position just to accommodate a certain player or system. Coll at Lb, MCMullan on the right, Kelly on the bench…

[eugenio]

i’m with you I’d make one point tho Mc Mullan gives everything but let’s look at him as a winger and note his crossing and passing from wide are v v average Reading posts you would think he’s invaluable there I don’t but in that free role he runs chases harried runs off the ball shows up always and I think here he is massively better