Waterford FC Thread

Are the players just deliberately going against Bircham at this stage? It seems to smack of some internal mutiny amongst a sizeable amount of players who have decided that they just dont like the manager and have collectively given up on the pitch. And his comments about being disgusted with them tonight is only going to make the situation worse.

Great argument there. I was at the last couple of matches and the complete lack of effort from a lot, but not all, of the players was evident a mile off. Sloppy passing, poor frees, no real defending, you could pick up the hostility between these players and Bircham it was obvious. And he has publicly criticised these players in the media too, its hard to see how they can improve this situation by now.

I predict the latter. If you have an issue with a player or group of players with regards performance, the logical thing to do is speak to them in private about your concerns and, crucially, manage the situation by agreeing a plan forward and using whatever resources you have to overcome it.

What you dont do is tell the News and Star on a weekly basis how unhappy you are with certain players and their behavior, referring to them in withering terms like "disgusted" or "not wanted". How does that help? Its clear as day the players and Bircham are stuck in an impasse and neither wants to drop their ego and agree to work together. Anyone at the match lastnight could see a huge number of players now simply dont give a fcuk and they simply resent Bircham for his manner. That has no winners, Bircham will no doubt just leave and the players will struggle to get their motivation back.

Sad and sorry situation all around.

The incident on Friday night was an utter disgrace which has been covered extensively by media outlets in Ireland and abroad. There was a lot of children attending the game, many of them getting to see LOI football for the first time, and I know a few parents who won't be rushing back with their kids. Another example of the unacceptable behaviour from a minority which spoils the experience for the majority.

Re Bircham: I'm sure a number of players will be starting to feel the strain - both physically and mentally. Quite a number of them don't have much experience of competitive football, so playing games every few days in a relegation battle will be a challenge for them.

I'm suspect there's a number of flaky characters in the squad, and a guy like Bircham who has played and coached at a high level will spot that a mile off. I hope he sticks around and gets to build a team of his own design in the Premier Division next season.

A guy like Ali Coote would fit into that bracket. Had potential but needed to play some first team football, came over to Ireland and got to play European football within two seasons. You could see him playing at a League 1 or Championship club in a couple of years - which would be a good achievement and a solid earner.

Hopefully well see more young Irish lads doing likewise. Great to see lads like Dawson Devoy, Ross Tierney, Johnny Kenny, Liam Scales etc. developing in the LOI and hopefully going on to bigger and better things.

I think that this is a good summation of the situation at the moment.

The players have given their all over the last few months and there appears to be a certain amount of fatigue setting in.

They defended way too deep after the resumption of play and I have no doubt that the fireworks incident affected the players.

Silly defensive errors could be the difference between relegation and survival and Bircham knows this and hasn't been afraid to call it out.

Kicking the ball away at every opportunity is very frustrating and if we felt it watching from the stands how must the manager have felt.

I wouldn't like to face the likes of UCD (realistically the opposition in the playoff) so hopefully 3 points against Longford and defeat for Harps and it's back in our own hands again. The good thing is they will know what's required going into Saturday evening.

Ticket sorted for Saturday.. Plenty of Blues travelling to Longford I'm hearing.. Massive game #BLUEARMY

Ye, in our own hands now.. No excuses.. Roll on tomorrow #Awaydays.. BLUEARMY 💙⚽

We've flopped at the wrong time unfortunately. The players look wrecked and the defensive mistakes are destroying us. Not a good way to be heading into a near certain playoff game.

According to Matt Keane on Facebook it's a one off game in Richmond Park on the 26th.

Enough talk about what other teams might do. Last year Longford beat a Dublin team in a Dublin venue.

Waterford's fate continues to be in their own hands.

There's lads in that dressing room with experience of the premiership and international football. This is time we'll know whether they have a bit of bottle left in them or not.

Ye, and if its the playoff, it will be in our own hands one way or another if we stay up or not..

It's looking like a play off, but stranger things have happened.. Still in our own hands one way or another.. Blues 💙⚽