Five-time All-Star Tomas O Se believes Derry must implement a more attack orientated game-plan if they are to have any chance of taking the two Division 1 points on offer against Kerry on Sunday.
The Sunday Game pundit says the Oak Leafers need to take on board the lessons learnt from last weekend's six point defeat to Donegal.
"I watch Derry last weekend," he remarked to The Irish News.
"There was a lot of lateral passing. It was as if they were afraid to commit themselves to going forward.
"Mark Lynch drove at them a few times but he ran out of steam. I just think they were playing within themselves rather that openly express themselves.
"Any time they kicked the ball over the clutter of players around the middle third of the field, they got results out of it. But it looked like they didn't want to leave the ball in."
He continued: "I think they were told to mind that ball. They played like a team that was afraid to make mistakes.
"Down in Kerry, no matter if it is a blanket defence, you are always taught to leave the ball in. If you look up, and there is an option inside, you move that ball as fast as you can."
O Se admitted it took Kerry a while to get to grips with the blanket defence.
"I remember having about 20 meetings and we would look at our lateral passing across the field. You would be asked: 'What are you doing?'
"Then you would be told: 'You are doing nothing. You are giving them time to settle into their defence. Any player who was out of position is now back in position. All you are doing is allowing them to set up their defence system.
"Derry have footballers. They have always had footballers. But I think they need to be more positive in their play.
"I think they need to attack more. I think they need to vary it more. They were very predictable the last day. Once they lost their grasp at midfield, they went completely."
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