Antrim Hurling

[johnneycool]

Gameplans take years to ingrain into a team, not weeks or even months and the first sign of a team coming under serious pressure will tell you how far a gameplan has evolved as most hurlers will revert to instinct, what they've been relying on since they were U-14's, minor etc. It's human nature. If the Antrim team did stick to the gameplan and it didn't work then there'll be major doubts in the players minds about that gameplan and that's never good!

That's always been the worry for me about outside managers, they've tried something with a certain team and it maybe was pretty successful, Wallace may have been part of the Cork set ups when their running/ handpassing game was going well, but that was then with a Newtownshandrum team who'd been playing it for years and natural athletes such as Tom Kenny, Sean O'g and so on to supplement them.

You can't just take that model and impose it on a new group of lads who've never played anything like it before and expect it to work within months.

IMO Antrim have barring the Jim Nelson and Dinny Cahill era's played a very individualistic type game, relying on individuals ability to get them over the line. That'll work against Down, Derry and the likes of Laois, Westmeath, Carlow more often than not, but it won't work beyond that.
What Cahill was good at (as I've been on the receiving end) was setting his teams up to get the best out of them, he worked with what he had, knew their strengths and weaknesses and set them up accordingly and to my mind thats what a good manager should be doing.

[saffron89]

have to agree with Johneycool

Wallace and the Cork running game, can hardly think of a worse tatic for Antrim hurling.  we must keep it as simplistic as possible, due to the fact we simply have not got the personnel.

was at the game on saturday.  Watson was starved of possession to a degree, but it wasn't as if goals beat us.  Playing the spare man in front of carson was almost more of a hindrance to us.  Carson was reasonable by the way, certainly not the worst.  Some forwards simply not up to it, one in  particular was shocking with his shooting and wide count.  Finally taken off, The saffrons need to move quick ball in as fast as possible, short passing and possession no chance.

Like i say Jerry needs to get the finger out

[btdtgtt]

Yes I agree - it's very much a case of looking at the best players at your disposal and then deciding on the gameplan / tactics.
The old saying you have to cut your cloth accordingly etc.

If Wallace thought he could bring in the Cork mantra in Antrim it is not the case.

I think we're all agreed that the return of the Shamrocks was detrimental - again whether that may be becasue of their attitude or others
jealousy is irrelevant - it's up to Wallace to manage this!

Perhaps two major failings which as someone else suggested - the difference between a coach and a manager?

That said, I have just fallen into the trap which i hate - blaming management!
For me when any team loses they have got to look at themselves first. From what I can gather this team have let the everyone down both on and off the pitch.

I read the article from the Examiner blog also - fair points.
If this is true then maybe we (myself included) have got to accept this as our level. We would have to accept that Westmeath / Carlow / Laois is our level?

Time will tell I suppose!

[imtommygunn]

I think we're all agreed that the return of the Shamrocks was detrimental

I don't think this at all. I'm not quite sure I understand why other people do either. What backs this theory up - because it is believed that people didn't run in quick enough to defend Liam Watson in a schemuzzle?

We beat Wexford and struggled to a win against Laois in the league prior to Loughgiel boys being there - it wasn't like we had great form previous to them coming in.

We haven't been great this year at all - with or without Loughgiel players.

[btdtgtt]

I am definitely not referring to people defending (or not) Watson - not particulalry the results which I agree where never great.

But several posters here (including myself) have spoken to county panel members and the feedback has been that there was some friction when the Loughiel boys returned. Again, I am not putting blame on either side here but the fact seems to be that morale and cohesion suffered.

[NAG1]

Is this not the exact type of thing that a manager is there for, to create a sense of team unity and purpose and to foster togetherness in pursuit of a common goal?

[Two Hands FFS]

Well if the manager doesn't come into the changing room after the match that doesn't help things..big training session tonight. Interesting what the players reaction is. They need to take a look at themselves.

[btdtgtt]

Yes I agree - it's very much a case of looking at the best players at your disposal and then deciding on the gameplan / tactics.
The old saying you have to cut your cloth accordingly etc.

If Wallace thought he could bring in the Cork mantra in Antrim it is not the case.

I think we're all agreed that the return of the Shamrocks was detrimental - again whether that may be becasue of their attitude or others jealousy is irrelevant - it's up to Wallace to manage this!Perhaps two major failings which as someone else suggested - the difference between a coach and a manager?

That said, I have just fallen into the trap which i hate - blaming management!
For me when any team loses they have got to look at themselves first. From what I can gather this team have let the everyone down both on and off the pitch.

I read the article from the Examiner blog also - fair points.
If this is true then maybe we (myself included) have got to accept this as our level. We would have to accept that Westmeath / Carlow / Laois is our level?

Time will tell I suppose!

Manager's Role? Yes NAG thats the point I made.

But I also agree with 2Hands FFS - players need to look at themselves also.

[NAG1]

Dont get me wrong if the players dont perform then that's their responsibility but its up to the manager to create and atmosphere and feeling around the squad to make them want to perform and make them want to play well for each other etc.

[johnneycool]

At the same time players need to leave their personal and club baggage at the gate when they pull on the county jersey. If a player can't do that then you're better off without them for the betterment of the squad.

In a group of 30 odd lads there'll always be a few takers, i.e. negative buggers who do nothing but whine, this isn't good enough, this is shite etc. They need kept to a minimum IMO

[Yeah]

Id say there will be some dust ups at training this week between players and management! Is your boy Wallace still in charge?

[NAG1]

Id say there will be some dust ups at training this week between players and management! Is your boy Wallace still in charge?

Amazing 

[btdtgtt]

Hardstation I see on the Antrim website your boys would be needing a private jet to put in the miles this Sunday!
I think naomh gall are disappointed there goes any chance of upset MR2?

[Milltown Row2]

We can only worry about Sarsfields on Sunday, we also need a jet. Glenariffe hard to beat at home so would only expect shake up in Belfast. Bit early though for league talks.

[Onthehill]

Well if the manager doesn't come into the changing room after the match that doesn't help things..big training session tonight. Interesting what the players reaction is. They need to take a look at themselves.

It is not the sign of a good leader/manager when you cant face your troops after a defeat.  Would love to be a fly on the goal post at tonights county training.

Ps Did anyone read the small section in todays Irish news.  Cant see Hippy being very happy with this...Wallace hung him out to dry!