Derry City v Sligo Rovers Match Thread

[brandyball]

Who scouted Davenport? Did they even see him play? I'm at loss to see what he brings to the team, now we know why he took so long to play him. Of all the panic buys he made in the transfer window only Robertson deserves a run in the team and still he refuses to give him a chance.

[dcfc_jp_1989]

So angry with that display, again.

Where would you even start? Patching needs run out of this club asap. Didn't try a leg tonight and was rightly taken off. He shouldn't start the cup final either, his work rate is embarrassing.

Then the manager, a top class spoofer as someone said above. Tactically inept who should have been shown the door when we lost to the Magpies. I believe if we had done that, we would have went on to win this poor league. The Sligo manager tonight showed he is on a different level tactically to RH. Even with 10 men they were the better side.

Our last 3 home games, all 1 each draws. The league was presented to us to win it, and still he messes it up. I laughed when so many said we only needed to win 4 of our last 5 games! Are these people even watching us play? We have won 13 all season, but people think we'll win 4 of 5. Not even in your dreams. Look at the goal that got us a point tonight ffs. A fluke. We created so little good chances.

Other players? Well, McMullan has been average this season but started every game. Why?

Why keep giving Robertson 5min at the end of games? Give him a half at least and see what he can do.

I don't know where we go from here. That's the league gone, and I have no fear of anyone coming back to quote me on that. We are shocking. Handed the title on a plate and pissed it away.

Good luck filling 6500 seats next season. Unless there is serious money invested in this team, a lot of deadwood gotten rid of, and that spoofer shown the door, then I fear for the crowds next season.

I expect the Higgins fanboys to be along to say we are still in the running for the double. They must love watching mind numbing football. Why is there so little dissenting voices in the town?

I don't think there is any danger of that happening. Looks like any support he had even on social media platforms has evaporated completely tonight. Even a miracle of winning our last 4 games & somehow coming away with a double surely can't save him

[joe3576]

So angry with that display, again.

Where would you even start? Patching needs run out of this club asap. Didn't try a leg tonight and was rightly taken off. He shouldn't start the cup final either, his work rate is embarrassing.

Then the manager, a top class spoofer as someone said above. Tactically inept who should have been shown the door when we lost to the Magpies. I believe if we had done that, we would have went on to win this poor league. The Sligo manager tonight showed he is on a different level tactically to RH. Even with 10 men they were the better side.

Our last 3 home games, all 1 each draws. The league was presented to us to win it, and still he messes it up. I laughed when so many said we only needed to win 4 of our last 5 games! Are these people even watching us play? We have won 13 all season, but people think we'll win 4 of 5. Not even in your dreams. Look at the goal that got us a point tonight ffs. A fluke. We created so little good chances.

Other players? Well, McMullan has been average this season but started every game. Why?

Why keep giving Robertson 5min at the end of games? Give him a half at least and see what he can do.

I don't know where we go from here. That's the league gone, and I have no fear of anyone coming back to quote me on that. We are shocking. Handed the title on a plate and pissed it away.

Good luck filling 6500 seats next season. Unless there is serious money invested in this team, a lot of deadwood gotten rid of, and that spoofer shown the door, then I fear for the crowds next season.

I expect the Higgins fanboys to be along to say we are still in the running for the double. They must love watching mind numbing football. Why is there so little dissenting voices in the town?

This post is 100% right on the money - and for people to still believe in Higgins, can anyone question any of the above ?

To see us simply surrender this league is shameful - Higgins kicked the can down the road so many times when we could all see he was throwing it away, yet on Friday night and tonight the can stopped - here finally was the 2 games against teams with nothing to play for and both at home - so just simply go and win the two games and finally prove you are the right man to motivate these players to win a league.

The result is a total failure - two dreadful performances. It is clear that the players are not motivated, they cannot play so badly in both these games if they were truly motivated and believed in the manager. Outside of Duffy, Coll, Boyce and Danny Mullen - I fail to see any spark in any other players.

The mismanagement of the squad back in July was a shambles, I still struggle to see why Todd, Harkin, McEnuff and McJannett were all released. The only centre half with pace Todd, let go. The only midfielder with a knack of arriving in the box late and scoring goals, let go. And the only midfielder who can tackle and understands what it would mean to win the league, let go. McJANNETT should have been told you are not being released until the season is over, but no he was let go with no adequate replacement in place.

Everyone knew Fats, Ben Doherty and Dummigan were too injury prone. Connolly and Wisdom too slow, Patching a passenger, `Diallo a liability, Whelan never the same after the 2 operations, Kelly a joke of a signing and Hoban a busted flush - yet we have persisted with all this - despite these issues being there last season too.

I accept we cannot win the league - but to simply chuck it away despite all the prior warnings going back 18 months and with massive financial backing, is a disgrace.

One last thought, if Higgins had been replaced in say May (after Rovers hammered us 3-1 at home) - also noting Stephen Kenny was free and wanted the job, how many current managers in the league would have won us this league this season ?


I believe that given our squad and budget and the backing of POD - any manager from Bradley, Duff, Kenny, Caulfield, Doherty, Russell, Daly and possibly even Long at Waterford would have made us better and won us the league. That is a scary statistic that 7-8 current managers are better than what we have in charge.

Just recently Doherty at Drogheda and tonight Russell from Sligo have proved to be both far superior to our manager, in terms of motivation, tactics, organisation, structure and the ability to make tweaks and changes during a game to get a result.

[marcoloco]

And the players he let go last year and before that - Brandon Kavenagh, Joe Thompson, even some of the forwards he's released would add something we don't have in the squad.

Then there's the debacle with his No.2. and the defeat to Brunos Bar.

Decision making, players transfers, tactics, having a plan b, and ability to motivate the players all absent.

I'd sack him now as we still have a chance of a top 3 finish and maybe the cup.

[marcoloco]

Who scouted Davenport? Did they even see him play? I'm at loss to see what he brings to the team, now we know why he took so long to play him. Of all the panic buys he made in the transfer window only Robertson deserves a run in the team and still he refuses to give him a chance.

Probably Patching.

[marcoloco]

And the players he let go last year and before that - Brandon Kavenagh, Joe Thompson, even some of the forwards he's released would add something we don't have in the squad.

Then there's the debacle with his No.2. and the defeat to Brunos Bar.

Decision making, players transfers, tactics, having a plan b, and ability to motivate the players all absent.

I'd sack him now as we still have a chance of a top 3 finish and maybe the cup.

The concern for me is us having to win the cup just to secure Europe, to give the next manager a fighting chance.

And one final thing then i'm done - the state of that attempted tackle from Diallo for their goal sums up up. Turns his back and sticks out his arse. No commitment. No fight. Not willing to put his body into a tackle. Embarrassing.

[brandyball]

Who scouted Davenport? Did they even see him play? I'm at loss to see what he brings to the team, now we know why he took so long to play him. Of all the panic buys he made in the transfer window only Robertson deserves a run in the team and still he refuses to give him a chance.

Probably Patching.

Don't tell me he played for Man City Academy too!

[marcoloco]

Who scouted Davenport? Did they even see him play? I'm at loss to see what he brings to the team, now we know why he took so long to play him. Of all the panic buys he made in the transfer window only Robertson deserves a run in the team and still he refuses to give him a chance.

Probably Patching.

Don't tell me he played for Man City Academy too!

Yes, another ex Man City graduate.

Look i have no issue with the player - i thought he looked good on the ball in a previous game.

Our problems are not Davenport's making. The buck stops with the Manager.

[rodgers]

Last night after the game, the manager said it was too open at times, as if that was a bad thing. What is wrong with being open when you have the biggest budget, best squad and are playing against a team at home, 20 minutes of those with an extra man?

From the first 10 minutes, you could see Sligo had Derry totally and utterly sussed out.

For the last two games now, the players looked utterly bereft of ideas in the last 15 mins or so when they needed a goal. In my opinion, this down to the modern day control freakery of coaching. We can't even play a half of football without the keeper being told to fake an injury so just the players can be re-indoctrinated in whatever instructions they have to follow. As a consequence, when it comes to the end of games, they have no idea what to do when it comes to taking matters into their own hands. I think he did try to rectify this with older players but it's clear it's a management problem not a playing problem.

This also isn't the first time we've made multiple subs at half time which would suggest a serious problem with team selection.

This is a problem across football generally but the manager is afraid to win games or take risks. The manager's caution is bringing Derry down to the level of the team they play against.

I think Derry have gotten worse year on year under Higgins and the points tallies would suggest that. More worryingly, I think a lot of the players are actively regressing under him. I still can't work out how anyone thought signing Kelly was a good idea. I think we'd have been better with players like Thomson, Kavanagh and Harkin (especially for a bit of commitment).

Patching and Doherty used to score loads from long range from open play. Are long range shots from open play again too risky for the modern manager?

[marcoloco]

Last night after the game, the manager said it was too open at times, as if that was a bad thing. What is wrong with being open when you have the biggest budget, best squad and are playing against a team at home, 20 minutes of those with an extra man?

From the first 10 minutes, you could see Sligo had Derry totally and utterly sussed out.

For the last two games now, the players looked utterly bereft of ideas in the last 15 mins or so when they needed a goal. In my opinion, this down to the modern day control freakery of coaching. We can't even play a half of football without the keeper being told to fake an injury so just the players can be re-indoctrinated in whatever instructions they have to follow. As a consequence, when it comes to the end of games, they have no idea what to do when it comes to taking matters into their own hands. I think he did try to rectify this with older players but it's clear it's a management problem not a playing problem.

This also isn't the first time we've made multiple subs at half time which would suggest a serious problem with team selection.

This is a problem across football generally but the manager is afraid to win games or take risks. The manager's caution is bringing Derry down to the level of the team they play against.

I think Derry have gotten worse year on year under Higgins and the points tallies would suggest that. More worryingly, I think a lot of the players are actively regressing under him. I still can't work out how anyone thought signing Kelly was a good idea. I think we'd have been better with players like Thomson, Kavanagh and Harkin (especially for a bit of commitment).

Patching and Doherty used to score loads from long range from open play. Are long range shots from open play again too risky for the modern manager?

There's less goals from distance now the stats show. It's all data driven. But it didnt stop the Sligo lad having a go. Fair play to them too. If you don't shoot you don't score.

[Keyser Soze]

Yes, football has changed for sure.

It's possession above all else now. How often do you see a player get down the wing, only to turn back and 'recycle' the ball, with it often ending up back at the keeper? Stats have taken over the game. Every minute detail of a player is counted now. How much they run, how many sprints they do, their tracking back, their tackles, their forward passes etc etc. Players are probably bought now based on their stats.

Players don't like to risk a cross into the box as it's likely to give away possession. They don't like to play risky forward passes either for the same reason. Its easier to pass sideways and backwards when you aren't being pressed.

But this comes from the manager. I have no doubt Higgins loves this possession game, played at a slow pace. Just look at Sligo last night. They kept possession but moved the ball quickly and cut us open on numerous occasions.

Whatever you think about it, it is certainly not making the game better as a spectacle. We have been generally tragic to watch for most of Higgins' tenure. Fans of other teams are saying the same. We are slow, ponderous and predictable. But hey, plenty are happy cos we are near the top of the league and in a cup final. Yet why is the ground emptying?

[dcfc_jp_1989]

And the players he let go last year and before that - Brandon Kavenagh, Joe Thompson, even some of the forwards he's released would add something we don't have in the squad.

Then there's the debacle with his No.2. and the defeat to Brunos Bar.

Decision making, players transfers, tactics, having a plan b, and ability to motivate the players all absent.

I'd sack him now as we still have a chance of a top 3 finish and maybe the cup.

The concern for me is us having to win the cup just to secure Europe, to give the next manager a fighting chance.

And one final thing then i'm done - the state of that attempted tackle from Diallo for their goal sums up up. Turns his back and sticks out his arse. No commitment. No fight. Not willing to put his body into a tackle. Embarrassing.

Patching lost his battle for the ball too when it popped up & Malley smashed it. There was little to no fight or desire from him to make sure he didn't lose or to win it back/block it after losing it

[magspat]

Patching awful against Sligo and has been very poor all year can't put in a tackle looks disinterested as Gareth mc Glynn said summon up the match last night on rte some one should have told Patching we are trying yo win a league.

[brandyball]

Patching awful against Sligo and has been very poor all year can't put in a tackle looks disinterested as Gareth mc Glynn said summon up the match last night on rte some one should have told Patching we are trying yo win a league.

Someone should have told the Manager too.

[Keyser Soze]

Patching isn't a tackler. Never has been. It's not his game. He wants the ball, to futter about and try to look classy, but he'll never win you a ball back.

He's like the scared child at school who was afraid to tackle in case he got hurt. Leave that to others.

[brandyball]

Patching isn't a tackler. Never has been. It's not his game. He wants the ball, to futter about and try to look classy, but he'll never win you a ball back.

He's like the scared child at school who was afraid to tackle in case he got hurt. Leave that to others.

He's even lost his mantle of free kick taker to Micky Duffy.

[jimd]

Good players don't turn bad overnight, it's the manager has taken any skill out of them by playing negative football as I said before if Higgins is there next year I will b renewing my season ticket

[brandyball]

Good players don't turn bad overnight, it's the manager has taken any skill out of them by playing negative football as I said before if Higgins is there next year I will b renewing my season ticket

Vote of confidence then

[Keyser Soze]

Good players don't turn bad overnight, it's the manager has taken any skill out of them by playing negative football as I said before if Higgins is there next year I will b renewing my season ticket

I would have to seriously consider renewing mine if he's still at the helm.

There will be loads of seats free next season with the extra 2900 coming online, so more fans will be able to pick and choose their games.

[brandyball]

A pricky exchange again on Radio Foyle with Gareth McGlynn accusing Dessie McCallion of negativity from him and the local media.

Dessie said it wasn't the local media booing them off against Sligo and Gareth answered back with Derry were only booed off at half time but not full time. Dessie of course told them Derry WERE booed off at full time also Obviously Gareth was still wearing his Candy Striped Glasses.. It was ongoing as the match started. Not sure if Gareth will be invited back again.