Talking Points: City show flexibility, Pats struggle, forwards star

While Tim Clancy won’t be boxed in on a preferred formation at Cork City, his wide options are certainly bolstered by Alex Nolan getting up to speed.

Moses Dyer of Galway United in action against Ryan McLaughlin of St Patrick's Athletic. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Tim Clancy underlined the tactical flexibility required from his players after a switch in formation proved a turning point in their comeback victory over Bohemians.

Without the injured Cathal O’Sullivan, Clancy exchanged their 4-4-2 for a midfield diamond to get an extra body into the centre with Malik Dijksteel providing the attacking pivot and Greg Bolger shielding the defence.

Bohs made a beeline for the space left out wide and after half an hour of them setting the tempo, City binned that plan with Dijksteel and Seán Murray shuffling onto the wings and Seani Maguire dropping into the 10.

That gave their defence more out balls and a couple of minutes later, a cross from the right flank delivered the leveller for Maguire’s elusive run.

“As soon as the whistle blows, you're changing formation every five seconds,” said Clancy post-match. “It's good when you have players that can adapt and we showed that.” 

While Clancy won’t be boxed in on a preferred formation, his wide options are certainly bolstered by Alex Nolan getting up to speed.

The St Pat’s recruit looked lively off the bench and may be rewarded with a first start against Waterford. Stephen Barry

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Having laboured to their first win of the campaign, it’s been a trying start for joint-title favourites St Pat’s.

The Inchicore men produced a Jekyll and Hyde impersonation in Friday’s frenetic 4-3 victory over Sligo Rovers - blitzkrieg attacking play just about outweighing worrying defensive frailty.

In praising all that is good about his team at one end of the pitch, manager Stephen Kenny spoke of a tactical indiscipline at the other.

Adding to that is an immediate selection headache, especially in the defensive midfield area, ahead of a big week when they face Derry City on Monday and Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

Defender Ryan McLaughlin and midfielder Romal Palmer came off injured in the first half on Friday, with Barry Baggley later sent off, while Sean Hoare, Jamie Lennon and Kian Leavy remain sidelined with injuries. Paul Buttner

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Title winners holding title chasers to a draw three games in will suffice for Damien Duff, particularly when Shamrock Rovers had already lost. Tolka Park was rocking for his derby and the, while tensity was in the air, it was a cagey second half of scarce chances. 

Typically, the tempo rose from both managers afterwards – not against each other – but in unison to scoff at Ian Harte’s warped midweek critique.

Whereas Stephen Bradley felt the league had moved beyond being disrespected, Duff wasn’t convinced. 

“It’s just the view of the league,” he said about his former Ireland teammate’s misguided synopsis. 

“I don’t think people across the water look at it very fondly and I guess here it’s slightly disappointing if Ian has said that.” John Fallon

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News of the death of the centre forward has been greatly exaggerated it seems. For years, teams have moved away from playing to up front in favour of reinforcing their midfield with an extra man. 

But no longer it seems. In this new spring season, playing two strikers is back in en vogue in the League of Ireland.

Shelbourne, Derry City and Cork City have all notably adopted a system that is spearheaded by a striking duo early in the campaign. So too have Drogheda United and Galway United, who couldn't be separated on Friday evening.

A switch to 3-5-2 helped turn Drogheda's 2024 season around, as Kevin Doherty paired Douglas James-Taylor with Frantz Pierrot. 

Their goal output improved and with an extra man operating in the final third, and extra dimension was added to their press. Since then, they haven't deviated from what works so well.

John Caulfield has paired stalwart Stephen Walsh with New Zealand's Moses Dyer in the opening three rounds. They've scored in three straight games and it took them three months to manage that last season. The change appears to be striking the right tone for all concerned. Barry Landy