Meath Forum

Down v Meath

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To anto_meath:  "Royaldunne is going to be mad at this idea, but I think Graham should be left on the bench for a few games. Now I am not blaming him for Meath's losses but I get them impression that many of the Meath players lack vision and then look for the handy option of trying to play the ball to Graham hoping he will do something inspirational. If he isn't on the pitch then they would have to do it themselves. Leaving Graham off might give players confidence in their own ability. Plus it might encourage Graham to be more of a team player."
Should we leave keoghan and O'Sullivan off as well to make others do more? Honest question

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/02/2017 17:56:21    1961743

Link

I am after giving this alot of thought and i was. wondering is there anything to be said for saying another mass. God I love a good mass

atta (Meath) - Posts: 698 - 27/02/2017 18:49:02    1961768

Link

Replying To atta:  "I am after giving this alot of thought and i was. wondering is there anything to be said for saying another mass. God I love a good mass"
Hehe. What about putting the brick on the pedal?

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/02/2017 18:53:29    1961772

Link

Replying To GlasagusOr:  "Donal Keogan dashed forward and popped over a great score from corner back. We should have players in every area of the field capable of doing likewise, throughout the course of a game. What's worrying is that most of the team do not show that kind of urgency in their play. When they were chasing the game late on, the lack of composure going for badly-needed scores was awful. I'd expect quite a few players in the team to take far more responsibility given their level of experience and play with far more intelligence."
I agree but Donal is not playing well this year for me. He lunged into a tackle and ended up slipping the Down guy strolled in and pop it over the bar when you see one of your best players doing silly things like that, you know there is something just not right. And looking at Donal's body language late in the game he looked at disillusioned.

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 27/02/2017 19:06:33    1961777

Link

There's little chance of the guy whom Andy has made captain being benched. Don't know why it keeps being floated. It's not gonna happen.

GlasgowRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 293 - 27/02/2017 19:30:59    1961786

Link

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "I agree but Donal is not playing well this year for me. He lunged into a tackle and ended up slipping the Down guy strolled in and pop it over the bar when you see one of your best players doing silly things like that, you know there is something just not right. And looking at Donal's body language late in the game he looked at disillusioned."
He just hasn't been the same player at all so far. Now I know he has studying and exams so maybe that's why. He also requested not to be captain cause of studying. Hopefully it's just a blib. We will need him at his best next few weeks.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/02/2017 19:44:46    1961796

Link

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "I agree but Donal is not playing well this year for me. He lunged into a tackle and ended up slipping the Down guy strolled in and pop it over the bar when you see one of your best players doing silly things like that, you know there is something just not right. And looking at Donal's body language late in the game he looked at disillusioned."
Bobkarlgees Yes i agree looks pi..ed of at times. You would be to if as a defender you have to go on attack to try to get something going repeatedly.Then you repeatedly find nobody running to a position for a pass,and you are isolated. You say a f..k this. One of the best corner backs in the game ,but only half the player of last year so far.I even saw our most over hyped player stand with hands on hips during one of Donals attacks. Maybe he was tired . or maybe he was standing back in admiration. What he was not doing was supporting the real leader at a time of need.

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1227 - 27/02/2017 19:46:44    1961798

Link

To be fair underfoot conditions weren't great the other night, so plenty of players slipping here and there.

I think part of the reason why we lost (and Kildare as well), is that after the previous round of results complacency set in. Both teams thought they just had to turn up and they would win against poor teams (based on recent results) and they could play within themselves.

You would also have to wonder if training so much actually has a negative impact on the players appetite for the game at times (never mind any physical fatigue and/or the limited recovery times) and their mental sharpness come match day. Are they just going through the motions to be a county player and sick of it all at times and even each other. Has this group any sense of purpose or team spirit and how do we get as many of the players to rediscover their mojo and inspire the others around them.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 27/02/2017 20:46:43    1961832

Link

Replying To GlasgowRoyal:  "There's little chance of the guy whom Andy has made captain being benched. Don't know why it keeps being floated. It's not gonna happen."
Agreed

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/02/2017 22:15:08    1961880

Link

Replying To GlasagusOr:  "To be fair underfoot conditions weren't great the other night, so plenty of players slipping here and there.

I think part of the reason why we lost (and Kildare as well), is that after the previous round of results complacency set in. Both teams thought they just had to turn up and they would win against poor teams (based on recent results) and they could play within themselves.

You would also have to wonder if training so much actually has a negative impact on the players appetite for the game at times (never mind any physical fatigue and/or the limited recovery times) and their mental sharpness come match day. Are they just going through the motions to be a county player and sick of it all at times and even each other. Has this group any sense of purpose or team spirit and how do we get as many of the players to rediscover their mojo and inspire the others around them."
That is a very fair point. I got to say the long warm ups is not something I am a fan of, no need for it, we were out warming up long before Down, the guys looked less sharp, perhaps a team building exercise would be good instead of a training session one night this week? Now here is what I call constructive criticism of manager.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/02/2017 22:19:59    1961881

Link

Pretty poor performance on Saturday night,

But if it wasn't for the really simple mistakes then we would have had another two points on the board.I recon over half of Downs scores came from the most simple of mistakes that would not be acceptable at a junoir club match. Which on the plus side they should be easy things to improve on.

Down are not as bad a team as recent form indicates, they have some quality players and we should learn from how well they counter attacked and switched play form side to side.

Not much between any of the teams in this division so we will just have to keep plunging away and we should have enough in the tank to stay up.

NAIL_BAR (Meath) - Posts: 457 - 27/02/2017 22:58:49    1961891

Link

Replying To NAIL_BAR:  "Pretty poor performance on Saturday night,

But if it wasn't for the really simple mistakes then we would have had another two points on the board.I recon over half of Downs scores came from the most simple of mistakes that would not be acceptable at a junoir club match. Which on the plus side they should be easy things to improve on.

Down are not as bad a team as recent form indicates, they have some quality players and we should learn from how well they counter attacked and switched play form side to side.

Not much between any of the teams in this division so we will just have to keep plunging away and we should have enough in the tank to stay up."
Down took their scores well but could have scored a couple of goals against us.

They probably should have beat us by more

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1792 - 28/02/2017 06:21:37    1961915

Link

Replying To GlasgowRoyal:  "There's little chance of the guy whom Andy has made captain being benched. Don't know why it keeps being floated. It's not gonna happen."
The reason people like the idea is because for the Derry game we where with out Biggy. So the management planned the team around this putting COS at 11 playing Frode in a more forward role etc. Then players had to step up to mark and the team looked to played better as a result it happened a few times last year also. So that's where is coming from. But the only reason you drop Biggy if he was not playing well and there is no real sign of that this year he doing ok. Therefore he will play.

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 28/02/2017 10:12:53    1961945

Link

Replying To GlasagusOr:  "To be fair underfoot conditions weren't great the other night, so plenty of players slipping here and there.

I think part of the reason why we lost (and Kildare as well), is that after the previous round of results complacency set in. Both teams thought they just had to turn up and they would win against poor teams (based on recent results) and they could play within themselves.

You would also have to wonder if training so much actually has a negative impact on the players appetite for the game at times (never mind any physical fatigue and/or the limited recovery times) and their mental sharpness come match day. Are they just going through the motions to be a county player and sick of it all at times and even each other. Has this group any sense of purpose or team spirit and how do we get as many of the players to rediscover their mojo and inspire the others around them."
If they are going through the motions of being a county player but their heart isn't in it, then the solution is simple. You move them on, and get someone else in instead who is willing to put in the hard work. I suppose that is one of the jobs of a manager, and it is something that might take a little time. You have to identify the players who are really putting it in, and the ones that are just trying to make it look they are. That is not always easy to do. One of the attributes of a good manager is being able to judge the character of a players - whether he has it in him to do whatever is necessary to be a top class county player.

anfearbeag (Meath) - Posts: 1134 - 28/02/2017 13:01:16    1962051

Link

Replying To royaldunne:  "Should we leave keoghan and O'Sullivan off as well to make others do more? Honest question"
Royaldunne, I am not having a go a Graham. But you might remember when you were young in school playing ball at break, Graham would be the first lad picked because he is the best of the bunch, you would give him the ball and let him run through everyone to score. That's what the Meath players have been doing for the last few years. Every other team Meath play know this so all they target Graham and bottle him up (many times illegally) and the remaining 14 players become lost of ideas. As was said in the Derry game when Graham wasn't playing, players looked for other options and done quite well. But as was also said it is very unlikely the our captain will not start a game once fit. Everyone from Meath who comments on this form want Meath to win every game, they want Andy and the players to be successful. People would love to think one of the various teams or suggestions they made here would actually get to play a part in beating, Galway, Cork, Dublin or whoever. But in reality I dont think Andy or any one else involved with the team would even bother to read this form and even less likely to pay any notice of it. As we have seen in some of the games so far Meath have some good talented players capable of playing nice football when everything "clicks right" but what is frustrating for every fan is that it can "click wrong" just as handy as it "clicks right" at the minute. Meath are like a car with a doggy battery, the slightest little thing can flatten it but a wee bit of trial and error will hopefully get it sorted.

anto_meath (Meath) - Posts: 108 - 28/02/2017 13:47:04    1962084

Link

Some of the stuff some lads say about graham reilly is laughable....fact of the matter is if he was playing for Dublin or mayo he'd probably be scoring 5 or 6 points a game when surrounded by better players and these players and fans would accept that carrying the ball and taking scores are his strengths so play too them. I really don't know what yes expect from him.....and take him off the team for a game or two and see what happens, ur basically losing 3 or 4 points straight away and cillian of sullivan would be marked out of it as now our only threat to opposition. And anyway it's a common misconception he doesn't work hard.....his tackling technique is poor but he does actually track back quiet a bit. I have no link to biggy but I just think yes biggy bashers are way off the mark

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 890 - 28/02/2017 15:29:20    1962137

Link

Bashers not bathers obviously

southmeathgael (Meath) - Posts: 890 - 28/02/2017 15:30:22    1962142

Link

Replying To bobkarlgees:  "The reason people like the idea is because for the Derry game we where with out Biggy. So the management planned the team around this putting COS at 11 playing Frode in a more forward role etc. Then players had to step up to mark and the team looked to played better as a result it happened a few times last year also. So that's where is coming from. But the only reason you drop Biggy if he was not playing well and there is no real sign of that this year he doing ok. Therefore he will play."
Totally understand the logic behind what you're saying fella but when you make a player captain you kinda make a rod for your own back too.

GlasgowRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 293 - 28/02/2017 18:16:53    1962254

Link

Replying To southmeathgael:  "Some of the stuff some lads say about graham reilly is laughable....fact of the matter is if he was playing for Dublin or mayo he'd probably be scoring 5 or 6 points a game when surrounded by better players and these players and fans would accept that carrying the ball and taking scores are his strengths so play too them. I really don't know what yes expect from him.....and take him off the team for a game or two and see what happens, ur basically losing 3 or 4 points straight away and cillian of sullivan would be marked out of it as now our only threat to opposition. And anyway it's a common misconception he doesn't work hard.....his tackling technique is poor but he does actually track back quiet a bit. I have no link to biggy but I just think yes biggy bashers are way off the mark"
Agree 100 %

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/02/2017 18:38:51    1962263

Link

Replying To anto_meath:  "Royaldunne, I am not having a go a Graham. But you might remember when you were young in school playing ball at break, Graham would be the first lad picked because he is the best of the bunch, you would give him the ball and let him run through everyone to score. That's what the Meath players have been doing for the last few years. Every other team Meath play know this so all they target Graham and bottle him up (many times illegally) and the remaining 14 players become lost of ideas. As was said in the Derry game when Graham wasn't playing, players looked for other options and done quite well. But as was also said it is very unlikely the our captain will not start a game once fit. Everyone from Meath who comments on this form want Meath to win every game, they want Andy and the players to be successful. People would love to think one of the various teams or suggestions they made here would actually get to play a part in beating, Galway, Cork, Dublin or whoever. But in reality I dont think Andy or any one else involved with the team would even bother to read this form and even less likely to pay any notice of it. As we have seen in some of the games so far Meath have some good talented players capable of playing nice football when everything "clicks right" but what is frustrating for every fan is that it can "click wrong" just as handy as it "clicks right" at the minute. Meath are like a car with a doggy battery, the slightest little thing can flatten it but a wee bit of trial and error will hopefully get it sorted."
I genuinely know your not having a go.
You make a legitimate point. My only issue is the players around him doing the school yard stuff. I mean they are inter county players ffs, time for them to grow a pair or move on . BTW I have seen it happen when Graham running into a position and they given him a hail Mary ball before he is in the best position and ruin the whole build up cause they just want to get rid of it asap rather than holding their nerve. Also I've seen them do same to O'Sullivan.
It's a problem, I just think the right way to go is to drop the lads that are doing it.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 28/02/2017 18:44:40    1962265

Link