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I'm not calling for Cooney's head but I'd certainly question you're comment on 'Standard of player'. Is it not the remit of the management & coaching team to produce better players? What are they working on? It's ridiculous to suggest that they simply just work with what they have in a sense that they are static. There are many aspects to development; physical, technical, tactical & psychological. Can we say the team has developed in all aspects over the last 4 years? Physical, yes. The squad is well conditioned and fringe players have been exposed to S&C for a number of years; that part is in a good place. Technical, no. I haven't seen a noticeable improvement in their technical ability. Simple things like competence off both hands & both feet, kick passing, fielding, tackling, all the fundamentals. Tactical, no. Still adopting the same zonal defensive system. No development of a kick out strategy. No high press. No screens in the forwards or set plays. No evident running game. So much that's missing tactically. Psychological, debatable. I understand that it takes a certain mindset to commit to inter-county football or hurling. There should also be a ruthlessness, a grit, a winning at all costs mentality. I would suggest that performances in the league show that we're not there. I actually think there was a group of players there to have achieved more in the past 4 years. Unfortunately 4 years is a long time at this level and we have missed out on some of the better years for our more accomplished players who are nearing their end. Will wining a Tailteann Cup make up for these shortcomings or just paper over the cracks? Honestly think it's a poor consolation prize. I'd have much preferred that this group could have reached, and been competitive in, an All-Ireland 1/4 final. That should have been 'their level'. Instead we're potentially near the top of the also rans. Not good enough! fizzygravy (USA) - Posts: 144 - 31/05/2022 09:39:17 2421291 Link 0 |
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Would it not be a nice accolade to be the first team to have won the Tailtean Cup? tarfboy (Dublin) - Posts: 27 - 31/05/2022 12:59:58 2421353 Link 0 |
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Of course now that we're in it it makes sense to strive to win it. However, being in it should also be recognized as regression. Unfortunately winning it (if that were to happen) would only serve to compound the problem. No doubt there'd be celebration and claps on the back for all concerned when in truth, being in the competition in the first place is an underachievement. fizzygravy (USA) - Posts: 144 - 31/05/2022 15:41:31 2421410 Link 0 |
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My point, which i admit was badly written, should have said more talented footballers. I am sure Cooney is getting the best out of the players that we currently have. However, as a group they are not the most talented when compared to the top table and as a result we are where we should be which is in the Tailteann Cup. Yes, it is the remit of the management to improve these footballers but you can only bring them so far and when the bar is low to start with what can you so. These are not professional footballers, they dont train 24/7 so there is only so far they can be brought. Meridian (Westmeath) - Posts: 601 - 31/05/2022 16:40:06 2421431 Link 0 |
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The team seems to perform better in away games as in beating Limerick and Antrim in the league. Is it a psychological thing that they are afraid to lose at home and as a result play very defensively. I believe that they should have had Fermanagh put away at half time but allowed them back into it and that the main issue in the game became the contested point not awarded to Fermanagh. tarfboy (Dublin) - Posts: 27 - 01/06/2022 11:10:32 2421531 Link 0 |
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the carlow game is the game where some of the fringe players can get a start
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1802 - 01/06/2022 11:56:48 2421541 Link 0 |
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I'm not so sure it will be Mick, Carlow away will be a difficult game and I think we will need our full team out from the start if we want to progress in this competition
borisdblade (Westmeath) - Posts: 55 - 01/06/2022 12:24:54 2421551 Link 0 |
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if playing carlow is a difficult game for us its time jack and co walked . the mindset should be the same as joe fortune with the hurlers . but its conservative and defensive
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1802 - 01/06/2022 13:01:41 2421555 Link 0 |
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Maybe this is a chance to play some of the younger fringe/squad players and give then their chance to play from the start.Robbie Forde is a proven scorer and has done well when hes come on but hrs only getting minutes here and there.Conor McCormack started every game and did alright until hus bad injury in training the week of the Fermanagh game but hes played 2 full league games lately for Caulry and has been back training full time with the county so maybe he could get a shout.Brandon Kelly also had a injury but is back now and by all accounts was almost unplayable for Milltownpass last weekend against Caulry-would like to see him start.I know you can play all the fringe players but until you see and judge them in a real competitive fixture then you cant say for certain if they are up to it at inter county level.Anyway if some of these lads start and it dosent go well then bring in the regulars of the bench as if we havebany intentions of progress we have to be beating the likesbof Carlow-no disrespect to them.Jack Cooney has a good squad to work with but it has to be used. Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 165 - 01/06/2022 16:19:23 2421630 Link 0 |
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Carlow beat Tipp who won Munster 2 years ago. We are playing them in their own back yard, their tails will be up. I wouldn't underestimate them that easily. We are not a Div 1 or Div 2 team. A Div 3 team is what we are. And it is not incomprehensible that a Div 4 team could beat a soft Div 3 team.
The_Fonz (Westmeath) - Posts: 213 - 01/06/2022 17:31:36 2421654 Link 0 |
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Thought Carlow beat Westmeath in the hurling league this year ? Lets hope for a repeat on Sunday. carlovia (None) - Posts: 1517 - 01/06/2022 17:57:30 2421666 Link 0 |
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In regard to playing so called fringe players. Its not like the only football these lads are playing is in the Championship. These guys will be playing all football now at training so they will have loads of opportunity to impress. If any of them are not getting minutes then perhaps they are just not doing it in training or maybe others are just doing it better. Meridian (Westmeath) - Posts: 601 - 02/06/2022 09:45:29 2421718 Link 0 |
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so we are soft . i dont accept that and it will be proven on sunday .i expect a big performance on sunday and a big win
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1802 - 02/06/2022 10:44:12 2421744 Link 0 |
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We cannot be complacent but a loss to Carlow would be an unacceptable culmination of 4 years under the current stewardship. It's not about Carlow and a possible upset, it's about the progression of this squad over the last 4 years. I can accept that there might be less interest in the Tailteann Cup than the All-Ireland series but now that we are in in we must perform and take care of business as expected. It's disrespectful to sponsors, supports and the Westmeath GAA community not to. The annual spend on preparing a senior football squad in Westmeath far surpasses any other investment in the county. It must be justified. If it were a business (and lots of aspects of it are like a business - investment, profits being made, results driven) then there'd be a lot of questions being asked. Carlow finished 11 placed behind Westmeath in the National League & only Waterford finished below them. If it transpires that Westmeath bow out on Sunday then we need to ask questions. Surely they can't have closed the gap so quickly given that neither team has actually stopped doing whatever it is they do week in, week out. fizzygravy (USA) - Posts: 144 - 02/06/2022 10:59:51 2421749 Link 0 |
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We lost to Louth, and Longford, drew with Fermanagh and struggled over Antrim in the league. Louth and Limerick got promoted ahead of us. We are soft. Not one player would currently make the starting 15 of Dublin, Donegal, Tyrone or Kerry. Accept it or don't accept it, that's where we are. A middle of the road Division 3 team.
The_Fonz (Westmeath) - Posts: 213 - 02/06/2022 16:11:23 2421824 Link 0 |
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So on that basis Jack John keane Dessie cahal Mullin should go. I will say this and say no more. If we do not beat carlow on Sunday then yes management should go mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1802 - 02/06/2022 18:52:51 2421851 Link 0 |
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1. Jason Daly BigSur (Westmeath) - Posts: 1130 - 03/06/2022 13:47:38 2422000 Link 0 |
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Carlow will be better than Laois who are a shambles but should have beaten us last week.Only a ten point improvement will do as Carlow will be fired up.But that is well within our capabilities but Cooney must allow more freedom to attack and not every attack going through the centre forward.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1456 - 04/06/2022 08:04:48 2422067 Link 0 |
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Team named for tomorrow, only change from last weeks named 15 is Charlie drumm in for Kevin maguire, I know this won't be the starting 15 but it would be worrying if Kevin is out, any word on if he got it appealed? borisdblade (Westmeath) - Posts: 55 - 04/06/2022 13:35:54 2422116 Link 0 |
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Solid performance in ways -a win is a win-but conceding 2-13 to a team finishing 2nd from bottom in div.4 has to be a worry.Kevin Maguire badly missed today.Any way a semi final in Croker to look forward to. Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 165 - 05/06/2022 16:18:40 2422458 Link 0 |