Morning all, thought I would give a brief overview of yesterday if anyone is interested. Saturday dawned grey and damp in Ireland, typical after one of the dryest and warmest July's on record it had to change on the day of our game against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght. Met up with Inky and John with his son who was being taken to his first ever R's game. The drive up to Dublin was the usual mix of talking Football, reminising on past outings and OBZ day. We got to the Red Cow park and ride just after 11 and got the Luas into central Dublin after having to do a de-tour to go back to the Red Cow as John had left his phone in the car..... We arrived at Lotts Bar around 12 to find 100 or so R's already making the most of Dublin hospitality. A late breakfast and a couple of pints later photos's were taken and are no doubt already on various Facebook pages, we departed back on the Luas for the 40 minute journey to Tallaght. Tallaght stadium is a tidy little ground with covered stands on both sides with open spaces behind both goals and views to the distant hills, a pleasant setting for a game. By this time the drizzle had stared to fall and floodlights were on. The R's defended the end where most of our 500-1000 fans were sitting and set up in Harold's favoured 3-5-2 formation. The first 20 minutes provided the sternest test of the afternoon when Rovers played some nice football. When defending Simpson & Traore dropped back to form a back 5 with Ale, Barton & Hoilett sitting in front of them. OBZ played slightly deeper than Charlie to provide the outlet from defence and Charlie played off the Center Half's shoulder......it's a solid looking formation. When in possession Simpson & Traore moved quickly forward out of the back 5 and were the main outlets providing widthin the middle and going forward. Ale is the fetcher and carrier allowing Hoilett and Barton to operate further forward. The first goal was well worked between Ale and Hoilett and Charlie got a 2nd direct from a corner. Rovers best chance came when Caulker stumbled and lost posssession allowing the Rovers lad a clear run at goal but he blasted wide. The back 3 looked very comfortable with the ball and I can see both Dunne and Ferdinand in that central roll depending who's fit. Caulker looks a good signing, he's a big lad who will cause problems from set pieces. Ale & Barton look as if they have played beside each other all their careers, they are so comfortable. Hoilett played the no10 roll and always looked dangerous when in possession. Traore needs to find a right foot, but looked as if he's getting to grips with the requirement, both he and Simpson just need to get to the bye line more. Henry replaced Ale after an hour and showed a fine range of passing, he really is a decent player. SWP came on for OBZ and still can not buy a goal, he did everything right in a one on one with the keeper but put the ball 6 inches wide. The last 2 goals gave a somewhat flattering scoreline and was harsh on Rovers who provided decent opposition despite both of their sides playing League of Ireland matches on Friday night...... I should add that the heavens opened during the 2nd half and made for awful playing conditions, I don't know if that came across on the stream but parts of Dublin had spot flooding such was the intensity of the rain. Finally the red/back kit is very smart with red numbers on a black background, don't know if EPL will allow that as may be hard to read on telly!!! The goalkeepers purple kit is well.....purple, but the pink/peach number on the back didn't stand out al all, thought initially that there was no number on the back!!!.....I feel 3-5-2 can work, the players look comfortable with it, the 3 CH's cover the width of the penalty area leaving the wing backs to cover the flanks, Hoilett looks sharp, Charlie has scored, Ale is getting game time, I would say that the majority who played yesterday will start against Hull in 2 weeks, with maybe YSY coming in for Traore, Remy (if still with us) up front to add much needed pace with Charlie could be the only changes. All in all a good day out and nice to see the progress being made. Up the R's
Thanks for the report TR. Just one question .... Who organised the fans to sit in a 3-5-2 formation? Great achievement.
Thanks Tramore. Barton & Faurlin always look comfortable playing alongside each other & trust one another. With the current players we have, this must be by far our best midfield line up. Will the match against Athlone be a harder test? The answer to Eamon's question surely must be Clint Hill. He had nothing else to do sitting on the bench!
The Athlone captain and centre-half is a bit of a mouth piece, had ear ache listening to him after their visit to Bray on Friday night. Although they are bottom of the league in their first year up they look tight enough at the back and suspect not too many goals in this one. Would be nice to see QPR wear something other than the magenta & black...probably will have to as Athlone wear Inter at home and Wolves away.
Great day despite the weather. Good to meet a lot of the guys on here and other forums. My eldest boys first match and a 4-0 victory. Can't promise him that everytime we play, lol. Thanks to Finglas for organising tickets and the Pub. Cheers Eamonn. I loved your flag even if that ginger Rovers fan didn't,lol. Pity I couldn't have spent a bit more time in Lotts with you all but cheers to Inkey, Eamonn, Tramore, Geo etc. for the craic.
A good day and night was had by all. Great to meet you too Belfast and all the other R's from the North. You have to come back down for one of our Irish R's meets.
Great report Tramore - almost made me feel that I was there alongside you guys - glad to see Eamonn made it through this match without any Garda intervention with that ginger flag admirer. I'm on holiday on the Acadian Peninsular with my youngest two daughters staying in a small cottage right on the ocean. Enjoying the beach and swimming and general relaxation away from the stresses of everyday life. Unfortunately this year my wife is working at the World Acadian Congress that meets every 4 years. Not much English spoken here but I am managing fine with my French. The older guy I rent from teased that perhaps he could find me a new wife for my stay this year! My biggest challenge is navigating an older smartphone and texting away from my computer and without wi-fi.
it should be noted that rovers sacked their manager the night before after both their senior and B teams were beaten on friday night.
Northeastern New Brunswick in Atlantic Canada on the Baie de Chaleurs (heat), the French Acadian part of NB, which is my wife's origin. The Irish also settled here and inter-married so her ancestors include Power & Downing names. I just swam by our rented cottage at Maisonnette, my daughters made lunch, soon off 5 mins down the road to another beach at Anse Bleu (Blue Cove) where the water is deeper and you look across to the Province of Quebec. This is my 27th summer holiday coming to this region where in-laws are only 15 mins away. A great place to de-stress.
