Muineachán v Loch Garman - Cluain Eois - 15/02/09

[GrandMasterFlash]

But long term, there's no point in settling for Division 2, is there? Surely better to have a tough 7 games in Division 1, rather than remain 'comfortable' in Division 2?

 It's a tricky one.. If we were landing somewhere about the middle of division two then you'd be happy enough to be operating there. But the fact that we've been closer to the borderline (no pun intended) between the top two for the past few years make you think that myabe we should be in div 1! A winning mentality is paramount though come the summer..

 I really agree with the point made about squad development though. Not having the pressure of relegation affords the mgmt the time to try fringe players and develop the squad ratrher than having to line out your best 15 just to stay afloat. A developed squad (and not just team) has been Monaghan's shortfall in the past few years when it really matters, at 'the business end', as they say..

 Of course the idreal scenario would be to develop the squad in 09, get promoted and have a developed squad in NFL div1 in 10 (oh ten??) That's hopefully part of the game plan..

So far so good..

[timmyot501]

Far too early to be talking bout promotion. We were sitting pretty for long enough last year and the final points proved too far. We buckled and that blow to the confidence cost us in the early summer.  However the bigger problem was not trying out more players.  More than the 2 wins so far this term the use of the squad is the real bonus and how some of the fringe players have performed. Trying some new faces as the league progresses should be our main priority so if we do get into troube during the summer we know there is somone on the bench up to the task.

[Maguire01]

Last season, did you never feel that the team got burnt out prematurely rather than a dip in form?
i.e. before finding a second wind.

To be honest, no. I thought we had a bad game against Westmeath, who went on to win the division. We lost to Cork, away from home, where Cork were favourites (and are one of the best teams in the country). The game in Enniskillen was a blip - i'm not sure exactly why it happened, but i'm not entirely convinced that it was burnout.

Far too early to be talking bout promotion.

Absolutely - couldn't agree more. We first need to get another 2 points that should ensure survival in division 2. I'm just saying that at the same time, we shouldn't be happy just to survive.

[GrandMasterFlash]

Far too early to be talking bout promotion. We were sitting pretty for long enough last year and the final points proved too far. We buckled and that blow to the confidence cost us in the early summer.  However the bigger problem was not trying out more players.  More than the 2 wins so far this term the use of the squad is the real bonus and how some of the fringe players have performed. Trying some new faces as the league progresses should be our main priority so if we do get into troube during the summer we know there is somone on the bench up to the task.

  Read my post again Timmy, I said 'ideal scenario' (albeit mispelled!). I'm not getting carried away (and never do) about Monaghan football. In the remainder of your post Timmy you reiterate almost exactly what I said.. So, we're in agreement on this one! 

[This Years Model]

I think the most important thing about the League is that the team develops over the course of the 7 or so games. You want performances to generally improve, whether or not you're getting the wins. Look at Wexford. Defeat by only single figures yesterday, so already we're improving 

Seriously though, fair play to Monaghan on a comprehensive victory. I wasn't at the game, but I had Northern Sound on d'internet and, once they realised that they didn't really want to relay the goings-on from Breffni Park any more, there was excellent coverage of the Monaghan game ... they seemed to win the middle third for the most part, and once you can do that you're well on your way.

I tend to agree with Main Street about Wexford's slow start (I certainly hope he's on the right track anyway). I'm not making excuses - or taking anything away from Monaghan - but we have to develop more strength in depth if we're to launch a serious attack on the Leinster Championship, and on Sunday Ryan plucked a fella out of nowhere to make his debut at full-back. He had selected ever-present Philip Wallace in the position, so I can only assume that he wanted to avoid any undue pressure on young Carter in the run-up to the game. Ryan's man-management has been acknowledged as one his main strengths, so again I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he's doing the right thing. There are a lot of very experienced lads in the panel who have seen it all over the years, so I don't expect any panic or strife to set in due to our poor start to '09.

So back to Monaghan. I think they should be looking to push on for promotion. I think it would be a bad idea to start trying out fringe players for the sake of it once (if) survival is assured. You want to be cranking up through the latter stages of the league whatever your position. If they were to go up to Div 1 and lose 5 games next year they'll still be a better team at the end of it in my opinion from playing at the highest level.

So Monaghan, don't sell yourselves short. set your sights on Div 1 and in the meantime hopefully we'll start focussing ours on Div 2!

Finally, you could call it clutching at straws, but to me it was significant that Wexford finished out the game well yesterday. The most disappointing aspect to the opening day defeat to Armagh was the capitulation towards the end. Our score difference is more or less shot now, but still they kicked 3 late points when the game was lost, and if I were Jason Ryan I would be pleased that at least one aspect of the team was rectified from the last day. Baby steps I suppose ...........

[Main Street]

if I were Jason Ryan I would be pleased that at least one aspect of the team was rectified from the last day. Baby steps I suppose ...........

or clutching at strawberries.

[ccosgrave]

It was a rather poor showing by Wexford yesterday, unfortunately. Unlike the Armagh game, in which we had a 20-25 minute spell of playing quite well, there weren't many positives to draw from the performance. The team, as whole, just seemed to lack focus and cohesiveness, and were extremely disorganised at some points. I know it's easy to say from here, but their workrate in general, I thought, was very poor. They seem to be extremely unfit

The full-back line wasn't too bad, thankfully. I don't know a whole lot about Carter, but he seemed to do well enough; I couldn't see any particular problems with his game. Does anybody know who he is?

Fair play to Monaghan, though, they beat us well and look like a very good team.