[BFC SITE] Neil Farrugia signs for the Reds

I can't say that I watch much league of Ireland. That being said the standard has improved a lot over the last couple of years. Farrugia is a name you'd hear a bit in the Irish media, being linked with Ireland squads etc, definitely one of the most known and rated players in the league. On paper it's a good signing, but as we know it will depend on how he settles in and how he fits into our system.

 

Really?? Almost all his goals, certainly his memorable ones, were scored with his right foot.

 

If you know anything at all about football there's a huge difference.

 

Well a free signing, another gamble on a player who unfortunately struggles to stay fit. A long history of injuries have blighted his career. The signing of a multi functional wing back whose main quality is attacking rather than being able to defend. In a team that needs to improve defensively. I really hope it works out for Neil and Barnsley but recently signings have fallen short of the mark.

 

Completely disagree. It's a no brainer of a signing for me. Good ratings, versatile, fits our system how we want to play

 

I'm guessing you're not a glass half full type?

 

Yeah, naturally left footed. Hard to believe it, like you say. Scored a lot with his right.

Maybe he thinks the way I do! I'm naturally left footed, I hate it. I sometimes think it's a curse. I learned to use my right.

 

DKD, Humphrys, Gent (to an extent), Nwakali would suggest otherwise

 

Not sure I agree on signings falling short. Roberts, Gent, Humphrys and Keillor-Dunn have all shown they’re regulars. Only two ‘falling short’ in my opinion is Nwakali and Hourihane for various reasons. There’s arguments about Slonina and Matty Craig but in general, think the recruitment has been strong this summer with four regularly getting game time.

 

Roberts, too. The signing of Craig was huge too, we were all excited. Unfortunately Nwakali and Connell are our players so rightfully ahead of him, otherwise I honestly think he'd be a big player for us.

 

Was he ? I’m not sure that’s right fella.

 

Someone nicked the glass, defensive signings way off the Pinnocks, Lindsay, Thomas, Mawson. Mac Donald, etc signings of the past. Must be saving the club a fortune on paying out a clean sheet bonus

 

I think they're wrong. Watch videos of him - he is dominant right foot....but very good on his left

 

I'd agree with you re Hammill. But his profile on some websites say left foot, always looked naturally right footed to me though.

 

You're talking as though this is the only defensive signing we'll make this window. I'm sure a centre half and probably a goalkeeper will be high on the agenda. Admittedly, our strike rate on top quality centre halves has been slightly lower under this board, but I guess it's only been 3 transfer windows.

Farrugia doesn't strike me as the defensive type either, so the likelihood is, he won't play there. From his interviews, he seems to have played as a wide forward or winger primarily at Shamrock. We do tend to shift formation in the second half of games, so he could play primarily in a front 3 or a 4231.

Im not sure he's that much of a gamble either. I'm sure we'll have done our homework on him, and how many league 1 clubs will be signing players who have played European football this season. Yes, the Conference League is hardly the pinnacle of European football, but he's faced Chelsea, Rapid Vienna and APOEL in that competition this season, who are all sides who regularly qualify for at least the Europe League. He's faced PAOK and Sparta Prague in the qualifiers too, Prague are in the Champions League this season. And it's not as though Shamrock Rovers have struggled in that competition too, they've qualified for the knockout stages and would have got a bye to the round of 16 had their goal difference been 4 goals better.