23th October
The scant few of us who travelled to Waterford had the misfortune to view another dismal night for Dundalk. I would have to say this was a missed oppourtunity for Dundalk as Waterford were very poor. But if they are poor, how bad are we. Dundalk lined up for this game with only three players playing out of position. Tom McNulty moved into centre midfield with David Crawley moving back to left back. Ray Campbell moved to left wing with David Ward dropping back to right midfield. Mick Doohan partnered Peter Withnell up front with Lee Thew dropped to the subs bench.
From the outset two things were clear. Mick Doohan was completely lost up front and didn't seem to be fit enough to play that position. Secondly David Ward hadn't got a clue how to play right midfield. Melvin and brady were having a tough time in centre back while Shane Reddish was being given a torrid time by Robbie Griffin. It's no coincedence that all but one of every Waterford chance of note materialised on the left wing. The first talking point of the game was on 20 minutes when Dundalk only half cleared a cross and it fell to Alan Reynolds whose low shot was blocked by a Dundalk player on the ground. The Waterford fans complained he used his hand but to be honest I haven't got a clue. Waterford's second chance came when a cross from the right wing found Barry Wood unmarked but his downward header was saved brilliantly by Steve Williams. Truly a world class save. Waterford's third major chance of the half came when the elusive Robbie Griffin's 30 yard free kick hit the wrong side of the upright. Dundalk only had one chance when a goalmouth scramble saw Mick Doohan and Peter Withnell both have shots blocked. Half time 0-0.
At half time the ineffective Doohan was replaced. Lee Thew came on. He moved to centre midfield with Ward moving up front but before we could figure out what the plan was Peter Withnell got sent off. Withnell was responsible for a clumsy tackle on Sean Riordan. Alan Reynolds ran over to protest and had a go at Withnell and then said something. With the Oriel Web sound mike not working we don't know what it was but Withnell completely lost it. He went for Reynolds with Dundalk players trying to restrain him. Lee Thew and Tom Mcnulty got thrown out of the way by Withnell in his pursuit to get Reynolds. Before he could both sets of players got involved . After the ensuing fracas Withnell was sent off but still tried to get at Reynolds as he left the field. He had to be escorted off the pitch by Dundalk players.
Dundalk then reverted to a 4-3-2 formation. This left us with no wingers with Thew, Doolin and McNulty in the centre. Campbell and Ward who started as wingers became the strikers. Dundalk were starting to settle when disaster struck. A Griffin cross went over everyone's head to Lee Thew at the far post. Instead of hacking it clear he tried to play it out of defence but made a hash of the clearance. It fell to Joe Harkin whose shot deflected off Karl Gannon and into the net.Thew himself could have scored for Dundalk when his header was brilliantly saved by Michael Devine. For the next 20 minutes Dundalk had a good spell with plenty of possession but missed someone to have the inititave to try something. The Dundalk team was crying out for Brian Byrne. David Crawley had a free kick saved. Dundalk's best chance came with 10 minutes left. A lob forward put David Ward in a great position but instead of shooting himself he gave it to Tom McNulty who shot over. There was a lack of confidence in front of goal in the Dundalk team. Ciaran Dunne was introduced for Shane Reddish. Dunne moved up front with Soupy dropping to right wing, McNulty to right back. Dunne came close with a header from a corner but Dundalk lacked invention. Waterford weren't that good at all although Robbie Griffin is an excellent player.
Dundalk lose again and reports suggest it could be McLaughlin's last game. Looking at the league table, it's not much of a suprise.
A straight choice between Mcnulty and Williams. I go for Tom McNulty. He played in many different positions but until the very end was battling hard.