Quote from: oakleaflad on February 03, 2025, 02:06:25 PMJust my thoughts from the game.
McNicholl was an obvious upgrade on Lynch out the field, looked much more comfortable on the ball. He wasn't as good off the tee and was likely under instruction to go long on kickouts. Don't think he could have done much about the goals bar his error on the last one. Worth persevering with.
Mark Doherty isn't a corner back. Too far off his man and whilst comfortable in possession isn't a good enough defender to play there.
Baker fisted a score but struggled at times defending and kicked possession away needlessly.
McEvoy was a mixed bag. Needed to be stronger on the penultimate goal but did some good things too. Our entire defense is too susceptible to a back door cut.
Conor Doherty very good in possession but a little lax defensively at times. Still had a good game.
Rogers was very good for second game in a row. Strong runner, a leader in the team and can chip in with a score.
Gilmore a mixed bag too. Can run all day and got his couple scores but kicked away possession too and doesn't look as comfortable on the ball as others.
Glass was very good bar losing his man once or twice in the first half. Like Rogers can kick a score and is an obvious leader in the team.
Tohill did pretty well. Thought the ref was a touch sore on him as thought Kerry fouled him quite a bit on kickouts. Worked hard up and down and kicked a lovely pass inside.
Ethan was a mixed bag too. Hit a couple bad wides in the first half that county players should be scoring. Should also have passed to McGuigan who was clean through one of the times he kicked a goal chance over. Did get his couple scores and assist for the goal McGuigan got and ran hard at the defense as always.
Paul Cassidy took the wrong options on a couple occasions. Sometimes needs to just turn and shoot. Did kick a nice score or two. Played inside a lot and has the ability to make runs and win the ball inside which we struggled with against Tyrone. Worth looking at inside again.
McCarron did alright. Kicked a good two pointer and won a fair share of breaking ball. Almost keeps it too safe at times and nearly seems to lack the guile of a forward. Bounced the ball into tackle in first half when he should have just turned and kicked a point. Does look to have the physicality for county football unlike some of our other fringe players.
Toner was fairly good. Took his frees well and jinked inside to create scoring chances a couple times as well as chipping in himself from play.
McGuigan was good. Always making himself available and kicked a few lovely scores. Made that same run he got his goal from at least 4 or 5 times before he got his reward. A leader in the team.
Murphy was decent. Won a great ball in the corner when McGuigan either felt he was fouled or lost the ball in the sun. Has something different the other forwards.
Subs didn't offer a lot maybe bar Murray who took a score well but dropped another well short.
Think we need to look at options in full back line. Possibly McGrogan once he returns to be an option there along with McCluskey.
Noticed Kerry practicing the palm into the net a lot before the game and they looked for it at every opportunity whereas we didn't and possibly left a goal or two out there.
Think your not far of the mark. Two corner backs not up to it. Baker was grand last year with a host of players in front of him, corner backs had to be equally comfortable scoring as defending but well protected. Now its proper fb play, mark your man and compete to win ball and tackle, he is poor at those basics. Doherty is young, and may develop, but no where near corner back county material yet. Can't see it long term either. Hope I'm wrong about that.
