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Monaghan absolutely need to get more pace and running power into their forward line, in a defensive sense as well as to pick open the Derry defence. McCarron and McManus can't play together against this Derry team, and the worry from a Monaghan supporters perspective is that V.Corey's solution will just be to bring Shane Carey in. In fairness, he had a very good impact against Tyrone but I don't think he will give Derry enough to worry about early on. Sean Jones? Off the bench I would think. Woods a huge miss in this regard. Dessie Ward to FF for me if he has the fitness.

Dessie Ward will be on the bench most likely, but the game will come too soon for McAnespie who has indeed returned. This is a big tactical test for Monaghan's management- how do you go about setting up against GAA's best catenaccio? Last year saw Derry repeatedly pick off a leggy Monaghan team by turning good turnovers into goals. Derry have honed and added to that gameplan since, but you would wonder have Monaghan made the same progress? Their win against Tyrone came about somewhat because Tyrone ran out of steam in midfield- this will not happen Derry.
As regards team selection, Monaghan can't afford to have Jack McCarron and McManus on the pitch at the same time against Derry. To do so would risk their defence being overrun on counterattacks. Corey will have to go with pace all the way up front. In fact Carey, Kieran Hughes, Mohan, Jack and McManus all started in the forwards last year- only room for one of these this time around.