ziggy

Where would you play Menton then? For me he has to be 6 or midfield..

Not sure about 6 to be honest ziggy, things weren't working out for us at all when Menton was playing at 6 during the league last year, now of course that wasn't his fault but it doesn't seem to be his best position in a Meath jersey. He's a big lad, who's well able to win his own ball and take his score aswell so I'd prefer to see him around the middle or even at 11.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 06/01/2015 17:32:01    1681007

Don't think menton is a 6 at all. Been roasted way too many times. For me middle or fb

foreverroyal (Meath) - Posts: 349 - 06/01/2015 18:31:34    1681026

Menton was a very good number 6,until he was moved all over the field to cover other players who were out.He in not a fb,and he doesn't like playing their either..

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 06/01/2015 20:50:59    1681080

I cant see anything other than menton playing at 3 come league in the absence of Kevin .
Yes the inside forwards don't link too well and hopefully that will change this year, at his age s bray can hardly be expected to play for 70 anymore .
Any word on Gillespie or Wallace fitness?

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 07/01/2015 08:07:43    1681111

Well Micko said that Gillespie and Wallace are training with the team,but they will not play any part in the O'Byrne Cup,I think that is correct,don't rush them.
Nice to see more changes being made for tonights game.
Just on Menton again,problem is,I think he is wasted at full back.he is very mobile and is a big guy,we need that around the middle areas of the park.
I won't be able to go to the game tonight which is a pity,be interesting to see how Queeney and Tormey do in midfield.

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 07/01/2015 10:15:51    1681127

See MOD playing mento at WB. shuffling him all over the place again. Midfield is his best position. Was lording it there in the County Final until he injured his ankle.

Forglory (Meath) - Posts: 85 - 07/01/2015 10:47:53    1681143

Forglory

I think it is the main reason why Menton had a bad season last season. Mick O'Dowd has said that Gillespie won't be available until the middle of the league,so i think Menton should be midfield.

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 07/01/2015 12:28:22    1681170

I agree that Menton is wasted at full back. His pace and power around the middle had a massive influence on the game in Mullingar. Anyone who was there would've been impressed with McGill.

MarkMyWords (Meath) - Posts: 498 - 07/01/2015 12:49:12    1681176

It takes a season or two to get used to playing midfield at intercounty level so Menton should be put in there and left to learn his trade. Chopping and changing the midfield combination is no good. Its the most important axis on the field and unless that is settled is disturbs the whole team and planning. We always prided ourselves on our midfield and hopefully Mod will see soon how important it is too have a settled selection.

Forglory (Meath) - Posts: 85 - 07/01/2015 12:59:19    1681182

When was the last time we had a quality midfield partnership?

MarkMyWords (Meath) - Posts: 498 - 07/01/2015 13:19:22    1681188

@ Head4dblackspot & Ziggy

I think ye are been harsh on David Bray. I was behind the Westmeath goal second half and he made several runs and/or signals for ball but as Htaem said earlier there wasn't much quality ball going into him. When it did, he showed composure (I saw him take a quick look to see his options and where to place it) and finished with aplomb. Now, I'm not making a direct comparison, but he reminds me a bit of Padraic Joyce in the latter stages of his career. I think he is a strong, skillful and intelligent player (experienced too) - well worth his place in the panel.

Against Westmeath, it was more a case of get the ball to Graham Reilly and he will kick scores from any angle.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 07/01/2015 13:35:56    1681194

In reference to the poll on the main page as to who should partner Conor Gillespie in midfield. I think it's crazy to put two of the same type of player in midfield ie. Flanagan and Gillespie. What's the point in having two players (who are albeit very good players) but neither will cover much ground. You need some sort of runner in there who's competitive in the air. Bryan Menton isn't a county midfielder. Don't care how good he was for the club this year. I've never seen him play well in midfield for Meath. He's needed more in full back especially now with the absence of Kevin reilly. With Shane orourke playing midfield...again what's the point in having another player who can't run in there. Especially because Shane is so talented he'd be wasted there!

As I've said before you need two different types of midfielders. Two that compliment the work eachother does. Usually a big man who can catch everything and can distribute ball well. And then a more athletic player who can cover ground whilst also be competitive in the air. For this reason I think it's too much for graham reilly. He couldn't handle the aerial battles. Maybe I'm wrong but if he could at least not let a man field clean above him then he'd be an ideal candidate for this position. People say he's lazy and wouldn't track back...it's different in midfield, you've no choice but to follow your man. You can't hide from defensive duties like you would as a forward.

JulianstownBoyo (Meath) - Posts: 196 - 07/01/2015 15:45:46    1681243

JulianstownBoyo

As I've said before you need two different types of midfielders. Two that compliment the work eachother does. Usually a big man who can catch everything and can distribute ball well. And then a more athletic player who can cover ground whilst also be competitive in the air.

Ok that's a fair point but who do you suggest should fill the roll of an athletic midfielder for Meath? It's not like we have have lads queuing up for that roll and MOD isn't picking them, we simply don't have a McAuley type player in our squad so we should look to try to play to our own strengths instead of trying to copy other teams.

I don't see a reason why the likes of Gillespe (who isn't as limited as O'Rourke) and Flanagan can't play together once they win plenty of ball together, then get the half back and forwards to carry it around the field. Shane O'Rourke would be better off in around the square in my opinion though, he seems to get very tired quite quickly around the middle but he can cause a lot of damage with the ball so maybe 14 would be better for him now that Bray is getting on.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 07/01/2015 16:00:22    1681251

Not sure if o rourke is in the current squad

royalpainter (Meath) - Posts: 874 - 07/01/2015 16:20:32    1681260

Markmywords. No one is saying mcgill isn't capable of filling fb posting. But i doubt very much that mod will risk him at 3 come league. He will play menton there as he has proven he can fill for Kevin, personally i also think around middle would suit him better. But with mod needing promotion there is no way he will take a chance at 3.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 07/01/2015 16:22:19    1681261

RD, I'd nearly go as far as saying that Menton would be more of a risk at fb than McGill. I suppose it depends though on who is playing full forward. A lighter, more agile ff would suit McGill, while your typical ff would suit Menton IMO

MarkMyWords (Meath) - Posts: 498 - 07/01/2015 16:47:24    1681275

royaldunne

Ye I'd imagine you're right, Menton will have to play at 3 because we have no other credible options, McGill may turn out to be a good player but to progress we need to push for and get promotion so I can't really see MOD experimenting during the league in such a crucial position.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 07/01/2015 16:49:13    1681276

Donncha Tobin could be another atlethic option at midfield,but I still prefer Menton

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 07/01/2015 17:30:51    1681289

Peader Byrne or somebody of his ilk would be perfect for midfield.

Here's hoping that Gillespie can live up to the promise.

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1792 - 07/01/2015 17:54:33    1681299

Yep that's it htaem. Mod will not take any chance. He knows without promotion he is on shaky ground. I think most of us could pick the league team with perhaps 1 or 2 positions. Now id be surprised if im proven wrong, but from mod pov can you imagine the uproar if against Galway or Kildare someone got a soft goal by a fb mistake? He wont risk it id say but time will tell.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 07/01/2015 18:04:21    1681303