0-0 the final score but it was a good game as the biggest derby in Turkey took place at the Sukru Saricoglu. Both sides had loads of chances with the best on the night going to Juan Pablo Pino of Galatasaray. He managed to round Volkan only for his goal-bound shot to be cleared to safety at the last second. Volkan proved to be in fine form and later in the half had to save brilliently from Lucas Neill's goal bound volley.
Fener had chances to with Mahamdou Niang and Miroslav Stoch constent threats on the night. Aykut Ercetin was also in good form tonight as he had to stop wave after wave of attacks. Pino could've had a hat-trick but for Volkan.
Lucas Neill was also lucky not to be shown his marching orders after constent fouling on Niang but the Aussie got away and was key at the back for Gala.
Ayhan Akman was also running the show for Gala in midfield. The experience helped and he also ventured forward from time to time. Emre at the heart of Fener's midfield kept things going for Niang and later Senturk but it just wasn't a day for goals in this game as both sides were defensively good. Milan Baros was missed for Gala. The Czech did manage two last week but was missed up front where Pino cut inside from left to threaten the Fener rearguard.
The draw proberly a fair result but not the result either were wanting with Bursaspor still leading the way at the top of the Super Lig.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Cork 1-2 Salthill Devon
Cork last night bought the curtain down on their league season at home and it was possibly the worst result possible. To their credit Salthill came down to fight and win and they did that with a late penalty that moves them to within a point of Mervue to avoid the relegation play-off with Cobh next month.
Our promotion hopes evaporated last Friday when Kevin McHugh's strike gave Finn Harps victory in Ballybofey while Waterford United were victorious. The game last night should've been a farewell to the season in front of the home fans with a victory but that was not the case. Instead we had to settle for nothing while the game for us had nothing on it, it still was a chance to end the season on some sort of high.
Our home form this year hasn't been anything to write home about. Seven defeats in total at home did the damage as for promotion.
The first division next season will be though. Drogheda United were relegated from the Premier last night and so they will be our opponents next season will only one of Derry, Monaghan, Shelbourne and Waterford will definetly be going up with the other three playing Galway and Bray. A very though scenario but with the 2010 season behind us now I think it can be classed as a success. We have had a solid year from nothing to a promotion play-off push. 2011 will be a big year but so far it has been quiet good considering the cirmcumstances in March.
Our promotion hopes evaporated last Friday when Kevin McHugh's strike gave Finn Harps victory in Ballybofey while Waterford United were victorious. The game last night should've been a farewell to the season in front of the home fans with a victory but that was not the case. Instead we had to settle for nothing while the game for us had nothing on it, it still was a chance to end the season on some sort of high.
Our home form this year hasn't been anything to write home about. Seven defeats in total at home did the damage as for promotion.
The first division next season will be though. Drogheda United were relegated from the Premier last night and so they will be our opponents next season will only one of Derry, Monaghan, Shelbourne and Waterford will definetly be going up with the other three playing Galway and Bray. A very though scenario but with the 2010 season behind us now I think it can be classed as a success. We have had a solid year from nothing to a promotion play-off push. 2011 will be a big year but so far it has been quiet good considering the cirmcumstances in March.
The big derby tomorrow
Fenerbahce v Galatasaray. The biggest derby in Turkey and if I am being honest proberly the biggest in the world after Real madrid v Barcelona.
So much goes on in this fixture down the years that it often decides the destination of the title every season but in the last two years both sides haven't set the world alight. This season both are out of European football after disasterous qualifying rounds that saw Fener out of both the champions league and Europa League within four weeks. Galatasaray were out after some dodgy displays.
The build up has been good for Fener and they are in a better position than arch-rivals Galatasaray. Frank Rijkaard was sacked during the week as boss of the Ali Sami Yen side after Ankaragucu went to Istanbul and rocked to a 4-2 win. Fenerbahce meanwhile last Monday were 4-1 winners over Konyaspor. Fenerbahce are the form side going into this game.
The makings of a great derby then? possibly. There have been some dour derbies down the years with the cup quarter-final in 2008 being one of them.
A history of sendings off is not surprising and with eleven reds in the last three seasons in both derbies I think we can safely say there could be another few tomorrow night.
Galatasaray haven't beaten Fenerbahce in any fixture since 2008 when a Shabandi Nonda strike gave them a 1-0 win at home. Since that fixture there have been four games with Fener winning three and drawing one.
My verdict is that Fener will win by 3-2 possibly and with a few red cards too to add spice. Whatever happens it is going to be a good derby and who knows maybe Gala will win at the Sukru for the first time since 1999.
So much goes on in this fixture down the years that it often decides the destination of the title every season but in the last two years both sides haven't set the world alight. This season both are out of European football after disasterous qualifying rounds that saw Fener out of both the champions league and Europa League within four weeks. Galatasaray were out after some dodgy displays.
The build up has been good for Fener and they are in a better position than arch-rivals Galatasaray. Frank Rijkaard was sacked during the week as boss of the Ali Sami Yen side after Ankaragucu went to Istanbul and rocked to a 4-2 win. Fenerbahce meanwhile last Monday were 4-1 winners over Konyaspor. Fenerbahce are the form side going into this game.
The makings of a great derby then? possibly. There have been some dour derbies down the years with the cup quarter-final in 2008 being one of them.
A history of sendings off is not surprising and with eleven reds in the last three seasons in both derbies I think we can safely say there could be another few tomorrow night.
Galatasaray haven't beaten Fenerbahce in any fixture since 2008 when a Shabandi Nonda strike gave them a 1-0 win at home. Since that fixture there have been four games with Fener winning three and drawing one.
My verdict is that Fener will win by 3-2 possibly and with a few red cards too to add spice. Whatever happens it is going to be a good derby and who knows maybe Gala will win at the Sukru for the first time since 1999.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Slovakia 1-1 Rep of Ireland
Oh dear! thats on the 2nd half alone. 1st half we were more positive in our play and that wasn't anything special. I thaught we did well to get a point in a game where we could've and judging on the chances should've won this game.
Seán St Ledger put us in front after 18 minutes with a cool finish and showed more composure than Robbie Keane on the night. Paul Green went off to the delight of most but I think there still is something and the game against Norway next month is a perfect opportunity to show what he can do.
Keith Fahey was exceptional apart from one or two deliveries his free-kick did lead to our goal. Ján Durica nodded Slovakia level beating his marker Glenn Whelan and that being the 2nd time in four days he has been beaten with ease. Márek Hámsík was creative as usual while Vladimír Wiess was dangerous at times. Ján Mucha though in goal wasn't as confident as usual and did concede a needless penalty on half-time. Robbie Keane not in form and lacking confidence saw his weak penalty pushed away by the releived Mucha.
Keane had an even better chance late on when pulling away from the defense but also pulls his shot over and that was our chance to win it.
On a night when Russia had a lucky let off with Macedonia not converting their penalty and Armenia pulling themselves into contention it really is now the tightest group in the qualifiers. No qualifier until March when we host the unpredictable Macedonia and maybe by then Keane and Given may by playing first-team football at different clubs to where they are now with both strongly linked with moves abroad to Besiktas and Lazio respectively.
Seán St Ledger put us in front after 18 minutes with a cool finish and showed more composure than Robbie Keane on the night. Paul Green went off to the delight of most but I think there still is something and the game against Norway next month is a perfect opportunity to show what he can do.
Keith Fahey was exceptional apart from one or two deliveries his free-kick did lead to our goal. Ján Durica nodded Slovakia level beating his marker Glenn Whelan and that being the 2nd time in four days he has been beaten with ease. Márek Hámsík was creative as usual while Vladimír Wiess was dangerous at times. Ján Mucha though in goal wasn't as confident as usual and did concede a needless penalty on half-time. Robbie Keane not in form and lacking confidence saw his weak penalty pushed away by the releived Mucha.
Keane had an even better chance late on when pulling away from the defense but also pulls his shot over and that was our chance to win it.
On a night when Russia had a lucky let off with Macedonia not converting their penalty and Armenia pulling themselves into contention it really is now the tightest group in the qualifiers. No qualifier until March when we host the unpredictable Macedonia and maybe by then Keane and Given may by playing first-team football at different clubs to where they are now with both strongly linked with moves abroad to Besiktas and Lazio respectively.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Spain's fallen clubs
Spain has witnessed some quiet big declines in recent years. Declines with teams that were established in the primer División but have since fallen down the ladder. One name the springs to mind straight away is Real Oviedo. Oviedo are a massive club and have been in the doldrums ever since they were relegated from La Liga on the back end of the 2000-01 season.
Real Oviedo:
Relegated in 2001 after finishing just a point from safety the club from Asturias haven't been anyway near returning to the top flight in Spain. In 2001-02 the club in the Ségunda were in contention for promotion until they ended up finishing eleven points from promotion.
The following season in 2002-03 the club fell on hard times financially. On the pitch the club were like concrete sinking in a pond and after finishing in the bottom four they were originally relegated to the Ségunda B. Failure to pay players regularly during 2002-03 resulted in the club being demoted down to the Tecera División (4th Tier).
Real Oviedo by now were semi-pro and in the 4th tier just two and a half years after playing La Liga football. The club did well in 2003-04 by winning their Tecera group by four points from local side Oviedo Astur. However defeat in the play-offs resulted in another season in the Tecera. In 2004-05 they won their group again this time by three points from Ribadsella. Real Oviedo were victorious in the play-offs that season after beating Real Ávila 7-1 over two games.
2005-06 the club was in the Ségunda B. The problems off the pitch were still continuing at this point with the club almost going under during the last two season.
In 2005-06 they finished a creditable 7th in their group but didn't have enough to fight for the play-off spots. In 2006-07 the club was relegated back to the Tecera after another poor season in which they finished 19th.
2007-08 was a season of thaught for Oviedo. Back in the Tecera they again won their group and entered the play-offs only to be denied again.
2008-09 was another season in which they won their group. This time however they did win in the play-offs to secure another passage to the Ségunda B.
2009-10 was a fantastic season for the club. They fought really well as they finished 2nd in their Ségunda B group and they entered the play-offs looking for a 2nd consecutive promotion. However they were beaten in the play-offs by Pontevedra and so had to start this season in Ségunda B again.
Real Betis:
Although not completly gone from the professional game, Betis' demise into the Ségunda has been followed with massive disappointment. Having played Champions League football back in 2005-06 after finishing 4th in La Liga the previous season these are desperate times for Betis. Relegated from La Liga on the final day of the 2008-09 season the club have been taking the Ségunda well. The were extremly unlucky not to have won promotion in 2009-10 after being pipped by the narrowest of margins by Hércules. This season however the club have done well and are currently 3rd in the Ségunda. They have lost some good players down the years such as Mehmet Aurélio, Rivera, Edú, Ricardo Oliveira and Sergio García.
Celta Vigo:
Celta Vigo are a side that not so long ago were perhaps the 4th best side in Spain during Valencia and Barcelona's lean years on 2002-03. The 'Los Celestes' finished 4th in La Liga in 2002-03 which meant Champions League qualification. The reached the last 16 in 2003-04 but that was a distraction from their awful league season. The were relegated on the back of finishing 19th in 2003-04.
In 2004-05 the club were playing Ségunda football. The club did well on the pitch by earning promotion straight back to La Liga for 2005-06. The 2005-06 season was a good one for the club as they finished 6th and earned a UEFA cup spot. In 2006-07 they finished 19th again and fell through the relegated trap door for the 2nd time in three seasons.
In 2007-08 the club came out of a low period in which administration was a severe possibility. They survived off the pitch and on the pitch only survived another relegation by two points.
2008-09 was a season of more struggle as the club were on hard times financially. They survived again by five points and the period looks set to continue.
In 2009-10 the club despite finishing 12th avoided the drop by two points due to the Ségunda being really tight that season.
2010-11 has started very well for the club. They sit top of the pile with six wins from seven by the 10th of October.
Deportivo Alavés:
Alavés are another side that has fallen. The club proberly most famous for that enthralling 5-4 UEFA cup final defeat in 2001 to Liverpool have been up and down and down further in recent years and are a shadow of that 2001 side.
They were last in the Primera División back in 2005-06 when they dropped down. In 2006-07 they battled relegation from the Ségunda and survived. The following season they survived by just a point.
In 2008-09 they weren't so lucky. They were relegated by four points and into the Ségunda B they went. In 2009-10 they did miss out on the play-offs by a point after finishing 5th in their group.
So far in 2010-11 they have managed to start well and are 3rd in their group. The hopes are for promotion obivously.
Rayo Vallecano:
The Madrid-based Rayo were last playing La Liga football in 2002-03 when they finished bottom and suffered relegation to the Ségunda. In 2003-04 they were relegated again after finishing 21st.
In the 2004-05 season in Ségunda B they managed to finish 3rd but lost in the play-offs which resulted in another year in the 3rd tier. In 2005-06 they managed to reach the play-offs again but were denied in the play-offs.
2006-07 saw another challenege on the play-offs but after finishing 2nd it ended with the same result. The following season however Rayo finally broke their duct when they won the play-offs after winning their group.
The 2008-09 season the were back in the Ségunda and almost secured another promotion but ended up in 5th place. the 2009-10 season was a mid-table season and they finished 11th with no real danger of relegation or promotion.
So far in 2010-11 they are 2nd and looking for promotion back to La Liga.
UD Las Palmas:
Las Palmas are a big club on the canaries and have been outside the top flight in Spain since 2001-02 when they were relegated along with fellow Canary Islanders Tenerife. 5th place was all they could muster in 2002-03 but the 2003-04 season was one of massive disappointment for the club. They were relegated to the Ségunda B after finishing 18th. It took them until the 2005-06 season to return to the Ségunda after a 3rd place finish. Since then they have been in the Ségunda. They came close to going down again in 2006-07 and 2009-10 but have started well in 2010-11 and are looking to become the Canaries' only side in La Liga next season.
Real Oviedo:
Relegated in 2001 after finishing just a point from safety the club from Asturias haven't been anyway near returning to the top flight in Spain. In 2001-02 the club in the Ségunda were in contention for promotion until they ended up finishing eleven points from promotion.
The following season in 2002-03 the club fell on hard times financially. On the pitch the club were like concrete sinking in a pond and after finishing in the bottom four they were originally relegated to the Ségunda B. Failure to pay players regularly during 2002-03 resulted in the club being demoted down to the Tecera División (4th Tier).
Real Oviedo by now were semi-pro and in the 4th tier just two and a half years after playing La Liga football. The club did well in 2003-04 by winning their Tecera group by four points from local side Oviedo Astur. However defeat in the play-offs resulted in another season in the Tecera. In 2004-05 they won their group again this time by three points from Ribadsella. Real Oviedo were victorious in the play-offs that season after beating Real Ávila 7-1 over two games.
2005-06 the club was in the Ségunda B. The problems off the pitch were still continuing at this point with the club almost going under during the last two season.
In 2005-06 they finished a creditable 7th in their group but didn't have enough to fight for the play-off spots. In 2006-07 the club was relegated back to the Tecera after another poor season in which they finished 19th.
2007-08 was a season of thaught for Oviedo. Back in the Tecera they again won their group and entered the play-offs only to be denied again.
2008-09 was another season in which they won their group. This time however they did win in the play-offs to secure another passage to the Ségunda B.
2009-10 was a fantastic season for the club. They fought really well as they finished 2nd in their Ségunda B group and they entered the play-offs looking for a 2nd consecutive promotion. However they were beaten in the play-offs by Pontevedra and so had to start this season in Ségunda B again.
Real Betis:
Although not completly gone from the professional game, Betis' demise into the Ségunda has been followed with massive disappointment. Having played Champions League football back in 2005-06 after finishing 4th in La Liga the previous season these are desperate times for Betis. Relegated from La Liga on the final day of the 2008-09 season the club have been taking the Ségunda well. The were extremly unlucky not to have won promotion in 2009-10 after being pipped by the narrowest of margins by Hércules. This season however the club have done well and are currently 3rd in the Ségunda. They have lost some good players down the years such as Mehmet Aurélio, Rivera, Edú, Ricardo Oliveira and Sergio García.
Celta Vigo:
Celta Vigo are a side that not so long ago were perhaps the 4th best side in Spain during Valencia and Barcelona's lean years on 2002-03. The 'Los Celestes' finished 4th in La Liga in 2002-03 which meant Champions League qualification. The reached the last 16 in 2003-04 but that was a distraction from their awful league season. The were relegated on the back of finishing 19th in 2003-04.
In 2004-05 the club were playing Ségunda football. The club did well on the pitch by earning promotion straight back to La Liga for 2005-06. The 2005-06 season was a good one for the club as they finished 6th and earned a UEFA cup spot. In 2006-07 they finished 19th again and fell through the relegated trap door for the 2nd time in three seasons.
In 2007-08 the club came out of a low period in which administration was a severe possibility. They survived off the pitch and on the pitch only survived another relegation by two points.
2008-09 was a season of more struggle as the club were on hard times financially. They survived again by five points and the period looks set to continue.
In 2009-10 the club despite finishing 12th avoided the drop by two points due to the Ségunda being really tight that season.
2010-11 has started very well for the club. They sit top of the pile with six wins from seven by the 10th of October.
Deportivo Alavés:
Alavés are another side that has fallen. The club proberly most famous for that enthralling 5-4 UEFA cup final defeat in 2001 to Liverpool have been up and down and down further in recent years and are a shadow of that 2001 side.
They were last in the Primera División back in 2005-06 when they dropped down. In 2006-07 they battled relegation from the Ségunda and survived. The following season they survived by just a point.
In 2008-09 they weren't so lucky. They were relegated by four points and into the Ségunda B they went. In 2009-10 they did miss out on the play-offs by a point after finishing 5th in their group.
So far in 2010-11 they have managed to start well and are 3rd in their group. The hopes are for promotion obivously.
Rayo Vallecano:
The Madrid-based Rayo were last playing La Liga football in 2002-03 when they finished bottom and suffered relegation to the Ségunda. In 2003-04 they were relegated again after finishing 21st.
In the 2004-05 season in Ségunda B they managed to finish 3rd but lost in the play-offs which resulted in another year in the 3rd tier. In 2005-06 they managed to reach the play-offs again but were denied in the play-offs.
2006-07 saw another challenege on the play-offs but after finishing 2nd it ended with the same result. The following season however Rayo finally broke their duct when they won the play-offs after winning their group.
The 2008-09 season the were back in the Ségunda and almost secured another promotion but ended up in 5th place. the 2009-10 season was a mid-table season and they finished 11th with no real danger of relegation or promotion.
So far in 2010-11 they are 2nd and looking for promotion back to La Liga.
UD Las Palmas:
Las Palmas are a big club on the canaries and have been outside the top flight in Spain since 2001-02 when they were relegated along with fellow Canary Islanders Tenerife. 5th place was all they could muster in 2002-03 but the 2003-04 season was one of massive disappointment for the club. They were relegated to the Ségunda B after finishing 18th. It took them until the 2005-06 season to return to the Ségunda after a 3rd place finish. Since then they have been in the Ségunda. They came close to going down again in 2006-07 and 2009-10 but have started well in 2010-11 and are looking to become the Canaries' only side in La Liga next season.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Rep of Ireland 2-3 Russia
A defeat that could've been worse. We had to thank Robbie Keane for winning a penalty in the 70th minute to get ourselves within a fighting chance of winning while a late Shane Long 2nd confirmed a late rally for an equiliser.
Russia were fantastic to their credit by opening up our defense at any given opportunity and while their 3rd goal might have had the element of luck with a deflection in off the post past a helpless Shay Given there was no luck involved in their other two goals.
Alexander Kerzhakov continued his blistering form with the first goal that came from a free-kick out on the far side. Kerzhakov managed to avade Glenn Whelan before stabbing home off Seán St Ledger on the line.
The 2nd goal was pure class with Andrey Arshavin involved and teeing up a wonderful cross for Alan Dzagoev to side foot brilliently past Given. A goal of pure quality and pace which knocked us out of our stride.
Before the goals though Robbie Keane hit the bar with a cross that otherwise would've met Kevin Doyle for the Wolves man to head into the net in front of the Russian fans. Aiden McGeady now of Spartak Moskva had a mixed night to be fair but his pace late on was troubling the Russian rearguard.
With Slovakia after going down 3-1 in Armenia it was important to get a good result in this game but despite the late rally it was not to be as Russia joined but us and Slovakia on six points in Group 2 with both Macedonia and Armenia two points further back with Andorra languishing at the bottom yet to pick up a point after they lost today at home to Macedonia by two goals to nil.
Russia were fantastic to their credit by opening up our defense at any given opportunity and while their 3rd goal might have had the element of luck with a deflection in off the post past a helpless Shay Given there was no luck involved in their other two goals.
Alexander Kerzhakov continued his blistering form with the first goal that came from a free-kick out on the far side. Kerzhakov managed to avade Glenn Whelan before stabbing home off Seán St Ledger on the line.
The 2nd goal was pure class with Andrey Arshavin involved and teeing up a wonderful cross for Alan Dzagoev to side foot brilliently past Given. A goal of pure quality and pace which knocked us out of our stride.
Before the goals though Robbie Keane hit the bar with a cross that otherwise would've met Kevin Doyle for the Wolves man to head into the net in front of the Russian fans. Aiden McGeady now of Spartak Moskva had a mixed night to be fair but his pace late on was troubling the Russian rearguard.
With Slovakia after going down 3-1 in Armenia it was important to get a good result in this game but despite the late rally it was not to be as Russia joined but us and Slovakia on six points in Group 2 with both Macedonia and Armenia two points further back with Andorra languishing at the bottom yet to pick up a point after they lost today at home to Macedonia by two goals to nil.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Cobh enter the play-off
Cobh Ramblers are a play-off away from ending their two-year stint in the A-championship, Ireland's 3rd tier.
It has been an eventful last few years for Ramblers after they won the First division in 2007 only to be relegated in their first season back in the Premier in thirteen years the following year. They encountered serious financial worries during 2008 which had put the club's future in doubt. The FAI made the decision in 2009 to kick Cobh into the A-Championship but that did ensure the future of the St Colman's park outfit was ensured.
2009 though was desperatly poor for the Ramblers. They had an inexperienced side and only won six points in the entire campaign.
This year though the extra year under their belts the Ramblers, under the managment of Dave Hill have won a play-off spot after securing a fantastic 5-0 win last Saturday over fellow play-off hopefuls Tralee Dynamos.
November will be a key month for the Ramblers and they have time to prepare as they have completed their league campaign. They won't play again until November so Dave Hill has time to prepare but perhaps the lack of match practise by then maybe crucial.
Cobh will face either Salthill Devon or Mervue United with both those sides neck and neck at the bottom of the table with just three rounds remaining.
It has been an eventful last few years for Ramblers after they won the First division in 2007 only to be relegated in their first season back in the Premier in thirteen years the following year. They encountered serious financial worries during 2008 which had put the club's future in doubt. The FAI made the decision in 2009 to kick Cobh into the A-Championship but that did ensure the future of the St Colman's park outfit was ensured.
2009 though was desperatly poor for the Ramblers. They had an inexperienced side and only won six points in the entire campaign.
This year though the extra year under their belts the Ramblers, under the managment of Dave Hill have won a play-off spot after securing a fantastic 5-0 win last Saturday over fellow play-off hopefuls Tralee Dynamos.
November will be a key month for the Ramblers and they have time to prepare as they have completed their league campaign. They won't play again until November so Dave Hill has time to prepare but perhaps the lack of match practise by then maybe crucial.
Cobh will face either Salthill Devon or Mervue United with both those sides neck and neck at the bottom of the table with just three rounds remaining.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Mainz in seventh heaven
Mainz deserve credit and enormous credit at that. The team have come from no where to take the Bundesliga by storm this season and today they notched up win number seven from seven games.
The stars of the show have been Lewis Holtby and Andreas Shurrle. Former Real Madrid B pocher Adam Szalai and Sami Allagui have also been impressive for the reds. Last weekend they went to Bayern Munich and won 2-1 which made headlines around the country but the unlikely table-toppers do face a tricky few weeks with Hamburg at home next week followed by games with Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Freiburg.
Last season Main finished 9th in the league and recorded just twelve wins and with seven already this term they are well on course to beat that. Coach Thomas Tuchel deserves credit also for the way he has set up his side this season.
The stars of the show have been Lewis Holtby and Andreas Shurrle. Former Real Madrid B pocher Adam Szalai and Sami Allagui have also been impressive for the reds. Last weekend they went to Bayern Munich and won 2-1 which made headlines around the country but the unlikely table-toppers do face a tricky few weeks with Hamburg at home next week followed by games with Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Freiburg.
Last season Main finished 9th in the league and recorded just twelve wins and with seven already this term they are well on course to beat that. Coach Thomas Tuchel deserves credit also for the way he has set up his side this season.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Cork City's promotion push
Cork City are nearing the end of the season. A season that has been one of consolidation if anything. At the start of the season I said anything would be good enough and that anything is turning into a promotion spot via the play-offs. The club have had to start from scratch in March with just thirteen players for the first game away to Derry to what could be a promotion play-off spot on the eve of holloween.
Should the club get promoted it would be a miracle season. A season that started so bleakly with the Cork City FC wound up to the Cork City Foras co-op earning a place in the premier division a year on. Players have come and gone with the likes of Uros Hojan, Dave Rogers and Derek Varian coming and going while the signings have included former greats Billy Woods, George O'Callaghan and Neal Horgan. Players who were with us when we won the league in 2005.
Manager Tommy Dunne deserves enormous credit for what he has achieved this year. I think he was the only man for the job as I didn't think Roddy Collins had what it takes but Dunne had experience having worked under Paul Doolin in 2009 with the old club.
It might be tough to give him manager of the year as Mike Cooke has done extremly well with Monaghan but certainly worth a shout as he has had to create a squad from scratch and look at what he has now!
The run in is slightly good for Cork. Defeat tonight against Shelbourne isn't the end but it is a big blow with promotion rivals Monaghan coming to town next Saturday before we face Finn Harps, Salthill Devon and Wexford Youth in our final three games. Looking at them I certainly beleive it is possible to win all four but the game against Monaghan and the trip to Finn Harps are diffcult games.
What happened to Sergio Asenjo?
Sergio Asenjo is a very interesting goalkeeper. One of many tipped for greatness as in getting into the Spain squad but just like most of them they couldn't unsettle Iker Casillas who remains as no.1 in the national side. Sergio Asenjo was one that just two years ago was tipped for a good things. Two years ago he broke into the Real Valladolid team. The Valladolid team was battling relegation from La Liga but after some quiet erratic performances from senior keeper Ludovic Buttelle and Alberto it was the turn of Sergio to see what he could do. He took the league by storm with just one goal conceded in five as Valladolid pushed towards Europe in 2007-08.
His performances that season earned him a three-year contract and the following season kept Valladolid up by goal difference. He left that summer in 2009 to sign for Atlético Madrid which seemed a good deal for both sides with Atlético inherting a rising keeper and Valladolid a handy €5 million.
The 2009-10 season started promising but some mistakes in a few games saw him dropped which allowed David De Gea to take charge for Atlético and he hasen't lost his place since. Asenjo has remained on the bench but has vowed to fight for his place while De Gea attracts the interest of Man United and other big name admirers.
Still only 21 Asenjo has time to establish himself and if as expected De Gea departs soon Atlético have a very handy back-up. He should bounce back as he has great agility and shot stopping.
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