Some hysterical nonsense posted on here as past few days. Reality bites and some have got carried away after a good start to the league campaign. Management and players both can look at themselves to see what went wrong but the conclusion will be that we were beaten by a better and physically superior team operating at a higher level than us. We have no superstars to bring into the fold so we have what we have and need to work with them. Decision making and execution of basic skills is still lacking and one wonders how long it takes (or even how possible it is) to coach this out of senior intercounty players who continue to operate like this. As i said we have no one else other than what we have.
Personal thoughts on management were the initial game strategy didn't work, or it took too long to work out Cavan's game plan. But we worked our way back into it. Whatever the half time team talk was it did not work and the 2nd half changes disrupted whatever rhythm the players had played themselves into. On the players front, they showed heart to get back into the game but the utter capitulation following the red card was hugely worrying. Nothing management could do about that. Believe there were 4 points in it at the time of the red card. The excuse for failure was handed to the players then and there and they readily took it. Perhaps it is the wake up call both management and players need but they will all be hurting today.
Progress has been made, no doubt about that both in terms of physicality and playing nous but we have still years to go and Antrim supporters still continue to want the quick fix option. The greater question is can this team develop and learn together, or will this collection of players simply never get there regardless of management?
It feels like the fallout from the Louth match has soured the milk with many and the disappointment of failure to get promoted to Div 2 has culminated to this point. Whether McGinley wants or gets another term is up for debate. Again saturday was a reality check, but can we learn collectively and go again?
Spike some reasonable thoughts. I would have serious doubts though about how the team can develop and learn from the current setup without the introduction of an experienced advisor or a proven coach being added to the setup.
Teams are a reflection of management where you try to maximise the output from the resources you have. Now the expectation of most reasonable people was that it was a 60/40 or thereabouts game in Cavan's favour. Most were expecting a strong performance with a well organised setup where we would give it a good go.
What were the tactics in the first half
Concede the kick out with wind advantage (puzzling) .. What was suppose to happen next... Congest the middle third and stem the running game... drop the sweepers in and stop the kick pass into the ff line.... or was it something more sophisticated.
It looked like total confusion with no one knowing what there role was... Marking, sweeping, pressing.... They ran through us... found forwards in half an acre of space... managed to have their own sweeper(s) ... didn't need the keeper to provide support for the running game
Having had 2 years, numerous sessions, played @ least 10 games this year to have a setup like that. No visible defensive setup, no structure, no leadership, no communication, running straight through us, kicking straight through us, Cavan forward receiving ball in @ least 1/2 an acre of space.
This is not a fitness issue, this was from the first minute. Never mind S&C, skills, technical abilty etc This is simply having a disciplined setup, structure and communication which wasn't there. If the opposition can work through it, wear you down, unlock it well and good but at least lay down the challenge. At least make the opponent have to work.
On the offensive side a few Hail Marys into 1v2, 2v3 situations.
We did get a 5-10 minute spell where we looked to throw of the shackles and started to engage and compete.
My thoughts are that while some aspects have improved that was a muddled mess and coaching car crash.
While it may have been a 4 point game before the red card it felt like, looked like and was a 13 point hammering.
Cavan are a decent team, arguably a top 10-12ish team, We are probably about 20ish so I appreciate there is a gap.
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