John Evans insists Roscommon aren't ready for Division 1 football, despite their impressive victory over Down in Newry.
The improving Rossies are among the favourites for promotion, but Evans feels they would be better served staying in Division 2 for another season.
"I know when I came here (to Division 2) with Tipperary, we lost our first four games by a point and it took the good out of it," the manager said.
"We are not ready for Division 1, we don't have the pool of players. But staying here is important. This is an intimidating place to come and I think it shows we will be no pushovers."
His opposite number Jim McCorry wasn't perturbed by Down's defeat.
"I hate losing games and the players are disappointed to lose in their own backyard, but it's early days," he pointed out.
"There are no medals given out at this time of year and we are a work in progress.
"Roscommon have powerful runners and they were getting good ball inside because they had good, powerful runners off the shoulder, and that's what really killed us."
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