Think the injuries situation is being overplayed somewhat. Bar Comer and maybe Conroy at a stretch, because we have a very ordinary team, none of the injury absentees could be said to be a first teamer or a greater loss than what was available.
As for picking a team for next year, the only attempt I could make at it;
1) Power (though has to prove that he is much better than Lavelle)
2) ??
3) ??
4) ??
5) ??
6) John Daly
7) ?? Maybe McDaid, needs to improve his footballing ability
??
9) ??
10) ??
11) ??
12) ??
13) O Laoi, perhaps worth an extended run to see what he's made of
14) Comer, assuming fully fit
15) Ian Burke, his prior 2 years have shown that he has the necessary ability at this level
I'm not trying to be smart, leaving so many vacancies, it's just that I really don't think any other player is guaranteed a position, such has been their poor form, particularly this season. In defence, SAOC needs to up it big time, Kerin needs to grow up, stop unnecessary fouling and cop-on, Silke maybe more suited to wing-back, Bradshaw and GOD aren't the future, loyal servants though they are. Flynn probably one midfield berth, though there's many of the better Div. 1 teams he would struggle to make; I'd like to see FOC get a good injury-free run, I think he's a better player than Flynn. D'Arcy one for the future hopefully. In the forwards, Brannigan, Heaney, Ml. Daly (too one-paced) are all of a muchness - again, how many would get on the top teams remaining in the Hateful 8s? Shane Walsh, if he couldn't carry his team the past couple of games, then is he ever going to do it? I know he was being fouled a lot unfairly, but he has to rise above that and lead a team, such is his ability.
It wasn't that the Mayo defeat was a particularly bad night, (they played better than v. Roscommon), it's just that it was the culmination of a long run of bad form. In truth, good games under KW have been very few and far between; ( Kildare in Div II final, Roscommon in Connacht replay in '16, Donegal in qualifier 2 years ago, Kildare last year spring most to mind. It was nice to beat Kerry last year also, but the game itself was drab). If the players are at fault for this, then a new panel is needed. If the management is the cause, then it's time for them to go. Changing nothing, which is still most likely, won't change anything. Meanwhile the fans are staying away in increasing numbers.
I can understand why some are been pessimistic but think you're been very harsh especially on Shane Walsh; He's not one of Galways problems. Agree on Daly he hasn't kicked on but would like to see him play under a different manager, not every player has to be blessed with great pace. Agree on Brannigan & Heaney, their good subs to have but I wouldn't have them starting although I do think Brannigan could improve but he's practically missed the whole of this year. Don't agree on FOC, would take Flynn every day over him.
As for injuries when 5 of your 6 midfielders don't start and the 6th has been struggling with injury its bound to affect any team, when I saw the team that started I feared the worst. Add in that Kyne, Comer, Brannigan & McDaid have barely kicked a ball all year and all started its not a great combination
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