2025 Season Predictions and Expectations

[Nige92]

The new league season is upon us. A new year, a new management team, new players and a new stand. Will this be the year for a new champion?

I must admit, I am quite excited to see what is in store for us. A new manager brings renewed optimism. With the names that we've brought in we would be expecting to challenge. All the talk is the Lynch has brought in a greater level of professionalism and raised the standards. Owenbeg gives us that stability that previous managers asked for but never got.

While we have brought in named players, there's no escaping the fact that some of them are beyond their best years. They have the quality but do they still have the drive and the legs to push for a title?

My main points for optimism are: 1) What Lynch brings as a manager, the standard he'll set and the intensity he'll demand; 2) There are two quality players for each position in the midfield and forward line that'll give us greater impact of the bench and add variety. We have a better squad than last season; 3) Goals in a number of areas - Boyce/Hoban/Duffy/Thomas.

The main points for pause are: 1) The defensive positions, we have one starting calibre centre half at present who looks to be on the downside of his career and only one RB (due to injury). I think this could be a serious downfall unless we land someone in the next week (22nd Feb deadline). You can near guarantee Connolly will pick up an injury; 2) The age profile of the squad, we're past peak age in a lot of areas. Will they have the legs to keep up the demanded intensity through the season; 3) What's the main drive/motivation for most of the players we have, will it mean as much to them as it does to us when the tough moments arise?

Looking at the league as a whole, the title challenge and top 4 race should be an exciting one however I can forsee a situation where St. Pats storm ahead and can't be caught.

St. Pats - For me, they've the best squad and manager in the league with some of the best players. Their form at the end of last season was immense. Kenny knows what he's doing.

Shels - Have improved as a squad on the back of last season and Duff is a great motivator. Although they won the league, I wasn't convinced by them, I thought they were the best of a bad bunch. Mipo up front could be excellent.

Shams - Lost some really good players and lost pace in Burns, Kenny and Farrugia. They don't seem to have much of a forward line. A European hangover? History suggests they'll be challenging.

Bohs - One of the most exciting attacking lines in Whelan, Tierney and Devoy. Some serious talent. Lys Moussett is such a wildcard, huge talent but what's his drive? An outside bet?

Waterford/Galway - Destined to come mid-table, unsure if they've improved much.

Cork City - Maguire and Keating as a one-two punch is as good as anyone but likely to struggle defensively. Hope Evan gets regular minutes.

Drogheda/Sligo - Both have lost key players and it'll be hard to see how either of these two finish outside the bottom 3 at a push.

Champions - Pats
Challenging - Derry, Shels, Rovers
Mid-table - Bohs, Waterford, Galway
Relegation - Cork, Sligo Drogheda.

What do people think?

[DeeDerry1975]

I think the lack of replies to this thread show that no one has a clue what to expect this season. We all see the calibre of players we have signed but in the back of our minds we are concerned about those players adapting to the league, staying fit. Our pitch is a massive factor. I'm going into this season with zero expectations as last season I was convinced we'd win it. If we finish the season with a place in Europe, I'll be delighted. As a club we have so much to do off the pitch and given TL's history with Larne hopefully he can put long-term structures into the club for the future. The training base at Owenbeg should make a difference especially with the players spending so much time together. Listening to a few podcasts this week the set up we had previously was amateur at best. i can't wait for it all to kick off in a few hours as Friday nights have not been the same without the stress of a game......

[Neutrino]

We are being written off (at least for a title challenge) by most commentators with a midtable finish predicted....and maybe that might suit us this time...having less pressure.
Having the likes of Dom Thomas, Carl Winchester and Liam Boyce coming to us from the middle of their seasons should help us get a strong start. If the new lads gel and stay injury free who knows where it could get us...although defensively we are still short. I'd be hoping for another CB in before the window closes, even after Cann signing.

[Keyser Soze]

Boyce doesn't look like a guy who is in the middle of his season at a higher level, very pedestrian.

[paul60]

Nobody predicted last seasons winners.
Why not Derry.
One game in and written off already, have no Europe matches to worry about.
The pressure is on for players to perform, no grace even after first match.
Here goes, after a rude awaking.

Champions - Derry
Runners up - St. Patrick’s Athletic
- Shamrock Rovers
- Shelbourne
- Bohemians
- Sligo Rovers
- Waterford
- Galway United
- Cork City
- Drogheda

[dcfc_jp_1989]

Boyce doesn't look like a guy who is in the middle of his season at a higher level, very pedestrian.

That's because he hasn't played much football this season. He started his last 3 games for Hearts because of injuries to other players, before that he was either on the bench or not in the squad

[footman]

3 way relegation fight wuth Sligo, Drogheda and ourselves.
We have no pace at the back and that is our Achilles heel in my opinion. I can't see us keeping alot of clean sheets.

[haymaker89]

In all honesty after 1 game and 4-5 preseason we are miles of last year alone never mind league… and I don’t buy new team tripe we had 7 members of last years squad in that team Friday night.. that was the worst 45 mins I’ve seen since Roddy Collins era.. things can only get better!!! And if not well it’s what most championed for.

[IfYouTolerateThis]

In all honesty after 1 game and 4-5 preseason we are miles of last year alone never mind league… and I don’t buy new team tripe we had 7 members of last years squad in that team Friday night.. that was the worst 45 mins I’ve seen since Roddy Collins era.. things can only get better!!! And if not well it’s what most championed for.

I would be interested to see any posts from anyone championing for things to be worse than last year.

[marcoloco]

Rovers
Shels
Pats
------------------------
Bohs
Derry
Waterford
Sligo
Galway
Drogheda
Cork