Derry City "V" FCB Magpies - 11-07-2024

[Greengo]

Sweet and gentle geesis... One poor result in Europe and people calling for Higgins' head... Wise up... It'll set us back another 3 years.

Maybe, just maybe if people hadn't been planning for Copenhagen, expectations wouldnt have been so high...

If I was managing that team, I'd have shown the players the comments some supporters of this club made about planning for a trip to Denmark before a ball was kicked in Gibraltar and asked them what they were going to do about it! Its half time in this game. Lets hope the numbers come out in force this Thursday night, get behind the team and give us another European night to remember...

I've no doubt they will park the bus from the off and make it as hard for us as possible but if we score early they will become nervous... I just hope that someone tells them that European refs will not blow for tackles as quickly as our own in the LOI... Get on with it, play to the whistle and get the job done...

Red army, prepare to deploy

[Marty]

One poor result?

[marcoloco]

If Carlsberg did poor results... Higgins has presided over, arguably, our worst ever European result. And he's come out and apologised which is fair enough.

But the result was not a surprise, maybe to you it was but to many others it wasn't. It was just another typical performance seen so often under Higgins. So fans are not reacting to a single poor result. They are not that fickle.

As for those fortunate enough to be travelling to Copenhagen, with trips booked and paid up in advance, I'm guessing that the numbers are in fact small and therefore to suggest that is the reason for the fans booing the team off the pitch or others sharing their frustrations beggars belief. You must think fans are made of money if you really believe that is the reason for the frustrations.

Derry fans would rightly back their team against any pub team regardless of that team's origin. But a pub team from Gilbratar of all places then we absolutely should be expecting a respectable result (and performance).

As for the fixture still being alive - it absolutely is still alive and we can't be that bad again. One early goal will change everything and I'd still expect us to advance despite the 2 goal deficit. It's a shame that the pricing is putting many fans off as it would have been a great atmosphere in the build up to it.

As for them parking the bus... my concern is more what our team will do. Will we start with 1 up front and try and break them down or wear them down. I suspect that the pressure will be too much and Higgins, on this occasion, will go against his own instincts and gamble with 2 up front. He needs to drop Kelly, play Whelan or Mullan and what about our new signing that we know little about. Hopefully we'll get a look at what he's about.

[joe3576]

Greengo - with all due respect, I think that your response is one of the issues at plat here. There is clearly a lot of people involved with the club in differing levels who will not allow any criticism of `Higgins whatsoever.

In 3.5 seasons, the football has been generally very poor. The tactics are dull and never ever change, the absolute refusal to play 2 up front even when chasing games is staggering and verging on arrogant.

Two seasons ago, the league was there for the taking, but once we qualified for the cup final we simply gave up on the league, on the basis that the cup was our aim. I never understood this, as rovers were in the europa league group stages and literally on their knees, but we packed off and settled for the cup instead.

Last season too, the league was there too for the taking, but we simply threw points after points away and stumbled home a poor second. However, no criticism was allowed as the European run glossed over everything else.

Our away form this year has been shocking, and in general it has been a very poor league, Rovers again are in decline but we cannot capitalise. We had 3 good home fixtures recently (Waterford, Galway and Drogheda) which were all won easy enough but again this glosses over very poor performances either side of it. Dundalk away was horrific and Sligo away terrible.

I got hammered on here 2 months ago, when I stated that we would continue in this form, win a few then lose and draw, and were more or less on course to finish in around the same number of points as the last 2 seasons 66-67 points. I don’t see any general improvement compared to 2022, we win home games that we should win, yet cannot get wins in vital games when needed. We have still yet to win in Sligo, we cannot get a win down in Drogheda and yet again this year we cannot beat Shels or Shamrock Rovers. In our last 6 games against both clubs, we have not won. So how possibly can we win the league ?

There is zero improvement that I see. The arrivals of Hoban and Kelly were designed to make us more attacking, score more goals and win us this league - yet we are still the dullest team to watch. Hoban gets zero service, apart from easy home games.

His treatment of local players is also suspect. Coll and Boyce are our two most natural full backs, yet both are left out for midfielders. Dummigan is a class act as a defensive midfielder, Higgins actually said he should be in the NI international squad, yet to accommodate him in the team he is played at right back, where he is no where near as good as Boyce, who also provided a goal threat. So why has Boyce been dropped ?

Why has Coll been dropped also ? I cannot see what Ben gives us defensively over Coll. I hear he is better attacking, but struggling to see it, and defensively in the last 2 games, Ben has been poor.

Jackie also - fit but not getting any game time at all. 3 up at half time versus Waterford, would have been perfect and yet he was only given 7 minutes of injury time. 5– 1 up against Drogheda and he was given not one single minute.


Whelan is being rushed back but is being given minutes, so I wonder what Jackie thinks about that ?


I fear, this time peaked 2 years ago, I fear we may go out on Thursday and come him 3rd in the league - with this budget and squad it should be far better, yet if we dare criticise the manager, we get hammered. The football has been dire for most of his tenure, there is little or no change of tactics, results are not kicking on, we are easy to play against and are on par for a similar finish of 66-67 points; so why can we not criticise?


Are players improving or regressing under his tenure ? Is Hoban getting better or worse ? Add Kelly, Diallo, McMullan, Patching, and even sadly Duffy. Only O’Reilly seems to have improved this year. We are standing still, and trust me Bohs, Pats will be much better next season. Duff will continue to drive Shels on, while Rovers will always be there. I fear under Higgins we will continue to plod along, but it is visible that all the fist pumps after winning games is long gone and that empathy with the fans is not great. Dundalk away a few weeks was very telling - there was zero reaction from the fans at the end between them and the players/manager - I cannot see this changing to a team that is going to knock out 7-8 wins in a row needed to win the league under his management. It is passionless and Thursday night summed all other issues up in one go.


I am very sorry, but I cannot see this suddenly changing.

[brandyball]

Nail on head Joe.

[eugenio]

Greengo just blame Eugenio. And name him I’ve not had a holiday Couldn’t managevFarosorvFinlandvbut jumpedyesjumped for joy at Copenhagan Thought I might save a few quid booking early. Now I’m to blame for the Gib debacle by you great God. I just wanted a holiday But my posts over 2 years Show Higgins had been boring ,predictable and a game killer for years Bit I’d love a wee break Blame me Knight Higgins now

[Greengo]

Great post Joe... Cant argue with any of it...

What I will say is that I'm not tied to the club. This site is funded by me from my pocket. City Cabs are a sponsor and help with some of the fees. The only tie it has with the club is the name. I'm not afraid to speak out when things are wrong. No one at the club would be wagging the finger at me and say "you shouldnt have said that" etc...
I have been asked in the past to remove posts by some individuals but never from the club.

I'm not for sacking Higgins as I believe it would set us back a right few years. Sacking him wont suddenly turn us into a winning run team, scoring goals for fun and leading the table. Granted we didnt take our chances in the past when other teams slip up and threw it away moreso last year than any other when we couldnt see out victories or break down stubborn bus parking teams like Drogheda away etc.

Look at Shelbourne. If a team in England came in for Duff and he went, do you think they would continue the way they have done this season? Of course they wouldnt. They have ground out results all this year. They have won ugly and got a great run at the start of the season. They are hardly Real Madrid quality but they are top of the league for a reason and I hate to say it but full credit to them.

We as supporters need a response on Thursday night. Attendance wise with the cup game on Sunday, it may be impeded by numbers. Can we beat them? Its the belief that kills you...

And Marty... Yes, one bad result this year in Europe

[Greengo]

Greengo just blame Eugenio. Now I’m to blame for the Gib debacle by you great God. Blame me Knight Higgins now

Gone just wise up. Not once did I blame you personally.

[Keyser Soze]

100% Joe.

We aren't only complaining because we lost last Thursday.

[eugenio]

Greengo just blame Eugenio. Now I’m to blame for the Gib debacle by you great God. Blame me Knight Higgins now

Gone just wise up. Not once did I blame you personally.

Gone just wise up I posted that I was going to book Copenhagan Pre Gib. You know that so the veiled comment Wasn’t so veiled Listen I’m cheesed I’m not supposed to be a true fan City till I die Fan im. supposed to put up year after year with tripe and shut up. Yet I go pay support but all the stuff to help my team and cheer the team and do my bit Not good enough. Gone wise up,

[burnfootbridiec]

100% my thoughts exactly Joe

[Keyser Soze]

The worrying thing is, to read this site you'd only think there was a handful of folk angry at the performances this season.

But if you see the amount of comments on social media, you are in no doubt that the fan base is not happy. And the dwindling crowds are proving this.

If I was the chairman, I'd be very worried about that fact, especially with so many extra seats to sell next season.

Thursday will be a good test of the fan bases interest. We are in a euro game which, if we get an early goal, could be there for the taking. It has the promise of a great night at the Brandywell, but will people be willing to put their hands in their pockets to be there?

[joe3576]

Greengo I genuinely believe that Higgins is a very good decent person. I know he is very well liked and respected throughout the League. I believe that the players like him.

I believe that POD realoy likes him and I have a theory that this is the problem.

Ruaidhrí has been blessed with unbelievable support from POD, he feels responsible for the support he is getting, the money, the pressure of the fans - and therefore he hates to lose as he thinks this is letting everyone down. I bet he takes defeats terribly, he feels horrible when we lose as he feels it is letting POd down, the fans, the city, etc.

But maybe this fear of letting POD etc down, carries through onto the pitch and his tactics - I sense when we take the lead, the expectation of him getting a result and pleasing POD, weighens on his shoulders, and therefore his 100% focus is not to lose the lead as opposed to extending it.

The fear of losing his holding him back - he seems afraid to go all out again Shels / Rovers and would also rather take a draw and not lose, or run the risk of a defeat.

Last years game in the Faroes was the perfect example - the Faroes were a bad bad side, yet the pressure of having to win the tie and generate money for the club, scared the life out of him - the 0-0 over there was so bad, when anyone else would have just went over and won 2-0.

Against Kups and Tobel - there was no fear (everything was a bonus) as as had got through against the Faroes and therefore they relaxed and all 4 performances were great.

Gibraltar on thursday was riddled with fear, the risk of losing the game, the tie, the £1m payment, Copenhagen waiting, letting POD down - it literally all seems too much for the poor guy.

With this fear and sense of letting people down, hanging over him - I just think he may be better at a club without this expectation.

Duff at Shels has no fear, he frankly doesn't care who he upsets, players, fans, LOI, FAi - he just does his thing and it works.

Ruaidhrí should ditch the fear, create an old 'us against the rest mentality' maybe fall out with a few other managers and I think he would be the better for it. People like him as they see him as no threat. Do Duff and Bradley see him as a threat - absolutely not.

[Keyser Soze]

I think that's an over analysis of RH, re: fear.

I just think he is typical of young modern managers and the way football has gone. It's more about not losing, holding what you have, game management, not taking risks etc. It's the same with everyone getting their coaching badges now. Just look at the Euros, it's been a snooze fest. Majority of teams play exactly the same way, little risk, little excitement for the fans.

I just think RH is more conservative than most. When we score 1, looks like he doesn't want a 2nd. That's his way.

[eugenio]

keyser I agree but. we must STATE loudly. it’s not Football

[brandyball]

I think that's an over analysis of RH, re: fear.

I just think he is typical of young modern managers and the way football has gone. It's more about not losing, holding what you have, game management, not taking risks etc. It's the same with everyone getting their coaching badges now. Just look at the Euros, it's been a snooze fest. Majority of teams play exactly the same way, little risk, little excitement for the fans.

I just think RH is more conservative than most. When we score 1, looks like he doesn't want a 2nd. That's his way.

Aye Fear of Losing.

[marcoloco]

Joe that is deep.

What I see is a conservative manager more concerned about losing than winning. His sole objective seems to be to set up to not lose (rather than to go and win) and this is often seen by his tactics, his decision making, his subs and the players that he releases. I suspect that desire not to lose is then absorbed by the players and then we get these turgid displays.

We'd had 3 years of watching his teams and it's a predictable pattern.

[brandyball]

Joe that is deep.

What I see is a conservative manager more concerned about losing than winning. His sole objective seems to be to set up to not lose (rather than to go and win) and this is often seen by his tactics, his decision making, his subs and the players that he releases. I suspect that desire not to lose is then absorbed by the players and then we get these turgid displays.

We'd had 3 years of watching his teams and it's a predictable pattern.

I said before, I think he's taken us as far as he can.

[magspat]

Any one else think this way Whelan who's contract is up at the end of this season ,why not start giving him more play time etc 50 or 60 mind if he holds out to end of season without any set backs hopefully not ,then you can make a decision whether to give him a new contract if he finishes season injury free ,IF his injuries continue to be a problem you don't sign him full stop, We don't want to paying some one who is going to be out injured for most of the year God knows we have enough them about the place.

[paul60]

The worrying thing is, to read this site you'd only think there was a handful of folk angry at the performances this season.

But if you see the amount of comments on social media, you are in no doubt that the fan base is not happy. And the dwindling crowds are proving this.

If I was the chairman, I'd be very worried about that fact, especially with so many extra seats to sell next season.

Thursday will be a good test of the fan bases interest. We are in a euro game which, if we get an early goal, could be there for the taking. It has the promise of a great night at the Brandywell, but will people be willing to put their hands in their pockets to be there?

Yip - will be there. It has a bit of spice trying to claw back two goals. If Derry had won 2-0 I don’t think there would be a big interest in the home leg.