2025 SQUAD

[brandyball]

I see Shels have signed Ellis Chapman from Sligo.

I'd heard talk we were after him.

Signed Daniel Kelly too.

[Keyser Soze]

I see Shels have signed Ellis Chapman from Sligo.

I'd heard talk we were after him.

Signed Daniel Kelly too.

Nailed on to score in the opening fixture.

[stevebradley]

I see Shels have signed Ellis Chapman from Sligo.

I'd heard talk we were after him.

Signed Daniel Kelly too.

Nailed on to score in the opening fixture.

Either him or Patching now.

[marcoloco]

I think we’re well off without DK on the wage bill. Never settled and never looked like he could make a difference. I was surprised because I thought he’d be a great signing. If he can get a game for Shels then good luck to him.

[brandyball]

Signed Daniel Kelly too.

Nailed on to score in the opening fixture.

Either him or Patching now.

Has PATCHING Signed for $hel$?

[stevebradley]

Nailed on to score in the opening fixture.

Either him or Patching now.

Has PATCHING Signed for $hel$?

So I'm told. Though they may have been mixed uo with Kelly. Or I may have misunderstood them

[brandyball]

Either him or Patching now.

Has PATCHING Signed for $hel$?

So I'm told. Though they may have been mixed uo with Kelly. Or I may have misunderstood them

Twas on Radio Foyle he was in Engerland looking a new club.

[marcoloco]

Kelly saying he didnt settle in the north west and wanted out mid season.

Fair enough - you'd think players can get their head down, work hard and adjust (as Dublin is 3 hours drive) but apparently not.

He's a home bird and wanted out long before TL got speaking to him.

Speaks highly of the club and how they treated him.

I think it's the best outcome for all involved.

We carried more passengers last season than NI Rail...

[IfYouTolerateThis]

I think Patching going is a mistake.

No matter the performances last season from him, who can anyone point to that looked quality under the last manager last season.

Patching is a quality footballer. I'd have liked to see him work under Lynch.

Tbh, I do think, however, he wants away after the criticism he got last year. I know who I blame for the debacle last year, maybe Patching feels he bore the brunt for that ineptitude.

I’ve read some shite on here but this is by far the best I’ve seen.. so Higgins is to blame for will patching been a lazy fucker. Higgins controlled players effort an heart. You might not of liked him as a manager but the players and the players only are to blame for there heart an effort !!!

Not hard to see why there is a train of thought that fans are toxic.

We are all entitled to an opinion. That's all I expressed. Same as my criticism of the last manager....that's my opinion. I disagreed with him remaining and felt his tactics or lack thereof was causing a succession of bad performances, poor results and disillusioned players.

You're entitled to an opinion too, but maybe you could learn to present it with a bit of manners? It will serve you well to be able to have a discussion and/or debate about the team you support without coming across as a bit of an oaf. And that's a bit of friendly advice.

[magspat]

Can't get my head around the Daniel Kelly situation said he didn't settle in Derry which is fair enough ,Contract termineded I think on Wednesday by DC signed for Shelbourne on Thursday wouldn't sign for another team other than them ..Correct me if iam wrong had he still a year contract with us why did Dc not get money for him instead of terminiting his contract.?

[marcoloco]

Apparently he’d been asking to leave all season and the Club agreed. So they agreed to part company. Then he went off on holiday and was approached by Duff. The rest is history…

[haymaker89]

I think Patching going is a mistake.

No matter the performances last season from him, who can anyone point to that looked quality under the last manager last season.

Patching is a quality footballer. I'd have liked to see him work under Lynch.

Tbh, I do think, however, he wants away after the criticism he got last year. I know who I blame for the debacle last year, maybe Patching feels he bore the brunt for that ineptitude.

I’ve read some shite on here but this is by far the best I’ve seen.. so Higgins is to blame for will patching been a lazy fucker. Higgins controlled players effort an heart. You might not of liked him as a manager but the players and the players only are to blame for there heart an effort !!!

Not hard to see why there is a train of thought that fans are toxic.

We are all entitled to an opinion. That's all I expressed. Same as my criticism of the last manager....that's my opinion. I disagreed with him remaining and felt his tactics or lack thereof was causing a succession of bad performances, poor results and disillusioned players.

You're entitled to an opinion too, but maybe you could learn to present it with a bit of manners? It will serve you well to be able to have a discussion and/or debate about the team you support without coming across as a bit of an oaf. And that's a bit of friendly advice.

Sorry old squire if my vocabulary isn’t up to your standard . Point still stands patching was lazy as hell, most of the outta contract players downed tools with about 6 games to go. The manager will always be the fall guy that’s life, we move on an look forward to next year Europe a must or the season is a failure, the boy you said was tactically inept got it in his first season and we were bottom of the league and were 6/7 games in.

[TenaciousDee]

Will Patching's performances last season gave the impression of someone who had mentally checked out. In a candid interview, he admitted to neglecting aspects of his training, such as ball striking, a key part of his game. Without that, what does he bring? He struggles defensively, and like Bastien Hery, he seems ineffective when under pressure, often losing possession or he throws himself to the ground to try and win a free. While some argue he may have felt burdened by the team's tactics and expectations, he was a central figure in the team's overly cautious, backward, and sideways passing. Time and again, he would advance a few steps into the opposition's half, only to pivot and pass backwards.

Patching is a divisive figure. To some, he's a "luxury player" who appears lazy, while others highlight standout periods of his time at the club, such as the first half of 2022 and the latter half of 2023, when he delivered penalties, free kicks, and last-minute winners but those moments had dried up. If others are being held accountable for last season's struggles with comments like "I know who I blame for the debacle," why isn't his contribution—or lack thereof—as a player who once wore the captain's armbands and seen as a leader, being scrutinized? One moment epitomized his 2024 season: Shelbourne's goal in the final game. As play restarted, Patching jogged past the halfway line with his head down and his back to the ball. If he cared about the game, he wouldn't have known where the ball was or if it was coming his way.

You are only as good as your last season so I ask how many fewer goals did he score in 2024 compared to 2023? How does his 2024 tally of assists stack up?

You can assign blame where you see fit, but in football individuals underperforming should be held accountable.

[marcoloco]

Will Patching's performances last season gave the impression of someone who had mentally checked out. In a candid interview, he admitted to neglecting aspects of his training, such as ball striking, a key part of his game. Without that, what does he bring? He struggles defensively, and like Bastien Hery, he seems ineffective when under pressure, often losing possession or he throws himself to the ground to try and win a free. While some argue he may have felt burdened by the team's tactics and expectations, he was a central figure in the team's overly cautious, backward, and sideways passing. Time and again, he would advance a few steps into the opposition's half, only to pivot and pass backwards.

Patching is a divisive figure. To some, he's a "luxury player" who appears lazy, while others highlight standout periods of his time at the club, such as the first half of 2022 and the latter half of 2023, when he delivered penalties, free kicks, and last-minute winners but those moments had dried up. If others are being held accountable for last season's struggles with comments like "I know who I blame for the debacle," why isn't his contribution—or lack thereof—as a player who once wore the captain's armbands and seen as a leader, being scrutinized? One moment epitomized his 2024 season: Shelbourne's goal in the final game. As play restarted, Patching jogged past the halfway line with his head down and his back to the ball. If he cared about the game, he wouldn't have known where the ball was or if it was coming his way.

You are only as good as your last season so I ask how many fewer goals did he score in 2024 compared to 2023? How does his 2024 tally of assists stack up?

You can assign blame where you see fit, but in football individuals underperforming should be held accountable.

The wheels came off last year and it was obvious for most of us watching. I think this is why it's so important to retain a local group of players, retain a local identify, because once you dillute the squad with journeymen and guys that are only here for the money (as Higgins did) then very quickly it can go off the rails. For me, finding the right mix of players and the right squad balance is a fundamental part of management. Tactics is just part of the game. Ensuring that your squad is focused and up to the task rests firmly with the manager. Yes, the players let him down because none of them wanted to be there but if the manager couldnt see that coming down the tracks then he needs to ask himself why? He authorised the sales and acquisitions and that's why he takes the responsibility for performances.

[brandyball]

Think we should be more concerned with next seasons team than last seasons. Everyone seems to be signing players at will whilst we're being left behind.

[davybhoy]

It seems obvious LOI is not TLs main target market for players as otherwise we'd have players tied up by now. Looks like we'll need to wait for the transfer window on the 1st to open in the north or across the water. He talks as if a lot of work has gone in to identifying players hopefully they turn out decent and settle into the league quickly
.

[marcoloco]

Think we should be more concerned with next seasons team than last seasons. Everyone seems to be signing players at will whilst we're being left behind.

Quality over quantity. We've no European football to offer so we are way down the pecking order for these players. There's 4 teams ahead of us and then we are completing with the likes of Bohs, Sligo and Waterford for the left overs.

We can't complete for decent LOI players so it makes sense to focus on the market he's more than familiar with. IPL

[Paddydcfc2010]

Think we should be more concerned with next seasons team than last seasons. Everyone seems to be signing players at will whilst we're being left behind.

Quality over quantity. We've no European football to offer so we are way down the pecking order for these players. There's 4 teams ahead of us and then we are completing with the likes of Bohs, Sligo and Waterford for the left overs.

We can't complete for decent LOI players so it makes sense to focus on the market he's more than familiar with. IPL

Why cant we go after the decent Loi players. We've had the second highest budget since Higgins was appointed. I'm sure the board will back lynch this year too.

Missing out in Europe may put off some players but money is the most important thing to players and we can offer a good wage.

Is ferguson our only signing so far? Thought we would have had a few more in by now. Any update on hoban or diallo.

[marcoloco]

Think we should be more concerned with next seasons team than last seasons. Everyone seems to be signing players at will whilst we're being left behind.

Quality over quantity. We've no European football to offer so we are way down the pecking order for these players. There's 4 teams ahead of us and then we are completing with the likes of Bohs, Sligo and Waterford for the left overs.

We can't complete for decent LOI players so it makes sense to focus on the market he's more than familiar with. IPL

Why cant we go after the decent Loi players. We've had the second highest budget since Higgins was appointed. I'm sure the board will back lynch this year too.

Missing out in Europe may put off some players but money is the most important thing to players and we can offer a good wage.

Is ferguson our only signing so far? Thought we would have had a few more in by now. Any update on hoban or diallo.

Nothing stopping us going after a player from the South but if Rovers, Pats, Shels coming knocking then it's very difficult to compete with that for a mix of reasons.

[magspat]

To be honest I thought we would have a couple more players signed by this stage every thing gone very quiet on that front little over 2 weeks to pre season training,