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We have no target man and as On The Hop has been saying for a long time, that's ok if you have other ways of getting possession. The short kick out is our best friend and that's asking a lot of young inexperienced players. It also puts Brody under pressure

At a time when we needed leaders, he was getting set off repeatedly.

Thanks but no thanks.

And that's fair enough too. Johnno and Lillis got tossed around on Saturday and Meaney doesn't really allow that to happen. He has his uses in my opinion but look, I'm not here to make the case for the defence. It's just an opinion

If a players attitude is wrong, he shouldn't be there. Simple as that. Doesn't matter what their name is. The days of players being able to act as they'd like, drink, not put in the effort etc and still get on the team are gone. I'm not referring to any specific player here by the way, just saying that if they're not getting selected, there's a reason for it.

Personally I'd rather go down with some sort of a fight. We have a very nice bunch of lads assembled. At times far too nice for my liking. I can't stand watching us get bullied

He plays on the edge alright, a bit like Quigley. He was playing in a team that was on the back foot and he didn't always cope with the pressure. That happens and Saturday showed that. In a team that has lacked any sort of bite for a long time, I'd make room for him and tell the rest to get a bit meaner

I would agree in principle with that county minor. It would be nice to get promoted, but it's not the be all and end all. In many ways, it is only right that some players are protected with bigger days ahead. I have no problem at all with lads being minded and younger lads getting a crack. My problem is with some of the players getting a crack. In some instances, I don't believe they are good enough. I hope they prove me wrong; of course I do.

Someone mentioned Kevin Meaney above and in many ways his and others players' grievances are interesting. Meaney is easily one of the best midfielders in Laois. I personally would back him to dominate Lilis and O'Loughlin any day of the week in a club match. I would expect Gary Walsh to outscore most forwards outside of Portlaoise in any given Championship. But they obviously don't properly fit into Sugrue's plans, and it is days like Saturday that make you question the wisdom of that. Lillis and O'Loughlin were being comprehensively beaten in midfield in a way that I don't think Meaney would have been. Similarly, our forwards, Ross excepted, struggled, where you would imagine Walsh would not. It was after all only Louth. We were guilty on Saturday of not playing the team in front of us in my opinion.

I'm all for giving chances to players but some lads, in my opinion, are not good enough. I won't name them because that's not fair. I'm actually shocked they've got this far. That's how strong I feel about it. O'Flynn in Courtwood, Saunders in Portlaoise and Tyrell in Camross are all lads I'd like to see given a try. There are more too. I'm not doubting Sugrue for one minute and he has my full backing because Saturday was just one of those days. He also knows and sees a tonne more than I ever will. But I trust my instincts and in my opinion, at least 3 of that team that played Saturday are no addition to us. Hard work does not a footballer make. In fairness to one of them, he has potential but none in his current position

I wouldn't say complacent but I would say wrong. I'd like to know what the full panel is but I do know that when I see certain lads' names on the team I am either disappointed or worried. There are lads in the Under 20s I'd rather see on the team or at least around the panel. Hard work is always a welcome trait, but if you're out of position, nervous, or maybe just not good enough, you will get found out. We seem determined to put square pegs in round holes sometimes and it doesn't always work. The team selection was odd to say the least in light of everything that went wrong in the first half in Newry

Alarm bell one. Our two midfielders were giving away a lot of height. Long kicks meaningless. Alarm bell two. Two inexperienced and nervy defenders left isolated without a sweeper. Alarm bell three. One of their forwards clearly rinsing one of our inexperienced backs and creating the perfect conditions for incoming attackers. Tackling powderpuff. Support play the stuff of negligence. Lads not tuned in and watching their team mates getting bottled up time after time. Just one of those performances that make you think that we made a fortune backing Louth at whatever ridiculous price they were. We can't be that bad and I know we're not but yet I can't understand what the hell happened today. I know we have lads playing who are a long way off what is needed even in the lower Divisions

Bad day. A total mess. Words are hard to find. Some lads for all their work rate, lack bottle and any sort of quality. Big kick up the arse

Too many lads playing with fear. Puts pressure on the whole machine.

Meant significant. Thanks for the spell check. This has been rectified

Probably the one you weren't

There was a significant moment at the start of the second half when Pigott got stuck into their midfielder. I thought it set the tone. He took the yellow and they stopped their funny stuff. I like this lad a lot. We could do with a few more like him. He's not dirty but he's a bit bould and there's nothing wrong with that at all. We upped our physicality from that moment on and didn't look back

Game of two halves. We were woeful in the first half and getting bullied. Down deserved their lead but it was encouraging that it was only four points because a better team would have doubled that margin. Donie came on and they hadn't a clue how to deal with him. Begley brought a bit of composure albeit he let their man in behind him for their goal. Lillis and O'Loughlin disappointed me because they bought into the mayhem around them when they should be experienced enough to make gains. They didn't help themselves by never looking forward, particularly in the first half, although it could be argued that movement in front of them was poor. Thankfully the changes created space and the bit of experience helped too. We were braver in our approach play and supporting each other. The gaps inevitably appeared. A good start but still some obvious weaknesses, particularly in the full back line. The high ball in is a big problem for us

One or two names I don't like seeing there and I actually think some of our U20's would be better options in some spots. That said, I don't know what availability is like and Sugrue is not someone I distrust, so good luck to the team and I hope it goes well for all involved