Yes that was to the point DRASTIC changes are needed.....LETS CALL A SPADE A SPADE....ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1227 - 13/07/2015 18:32:34    1752819

Well he might have a point to be fair.The players care I am sure of that,and work hard,but do they work hard enough and does management push them hard enough to really try and succeed?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 18:38:36    1752824

Yeah got to agree with Kevin, they are not playing for management simple as that.
They know they not near fit enough and badly prepared, where a player no matter how good or bad he is will not go through a wall for his manager the manager has lost game already, it would appear that odowd lacks any sort of get up and go, how can we expect players to show passion when the sideline has zero passion? We up by 10 points manager has arms folded looking somewhat bewildered, we down by 10 points manager standing motionless with arms folded looking bewildered, i actually think he thinks he is doing a good job, and when the pinnacle of your ambition is to reach top 8 in 5 years , i think its self evident that you shouldn't be in charge.
There's a old sales saying, reach for the stars and should you fail you just might catch the moon on the way down.
Aim to be number 1, if you end up number 4 then at least there is progression.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 13/07/2015 18:58:52    1752838

Well said subzero and meathmaster. Ziggy, unless you have actual facts relating to players booking holidays in advance of the game then you should keep you mouth zipped. I am very surprised that you, as an established poster, would accuse some players of this. These guys give up their lives for a team that is probably going to win very little.

And then after you were corrected you persevered with your scurrilous accusation. I am very annoyed on the behalf of the players concerned. You make some good points regarding the future of Meath football but you owe those players an apology.

trim1 (Meath) - Posts: 162 - 13/07/2015 19:30:11    1752862

trim 1

I think my point is been missed slightly..

Even if they booked the holiday yesterday,are you telling me,that the idea was not in their minds in the last few days? Which included what was a vital game against Tyrone.In the back of their mind they may not have been 100% into this game.I do think management are very sof,and that is evident by what we see on the field.I have no doubt that they and the players work hard in training,but are they been pushed hard enough at thie level? It does not look like it to be fair.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 19:36:26    1752868

And Ziggy, did it even strike you that the players maybe went on their holidays so that they would be back in time to play with their CLUBS in a couple of weeks??

trim1 (Meath) - Posts: 162 - 13/07/2015 19:37:15    1752869

Ziggy, a lot of your points are fair and perhaps MOD has been too soft and certainly mistakes made. Maybe fitness is a problem or mental toughness is not there like in the past. But it is happening across many of our teams so our players are also possibly not at the level that they were in the past. I actually think that MOD kept faith with players too long and should have freshened things up.

But, imo that is different to players making even tentatitve plans for holidays. i see you point but I would not believe it unless there was concrete evidence.

trim1 (Meath) - Posts: 162 - 13/07/2015 19:49:16    1752882

trim 1

Well thats fair enough.....

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 20:05:45    1752891

trim 1

Did you read Kevin Cassidys article?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 20:07:30    1752892

Ziggy
I don't think you realise what these lads have to sacrafice to be involved with the county setup. I saw where you say 2 lads off the panel have gone on holiday well maybe its the only opportunity they will get. I would imagine club championship will start very shortly. You seem to have alot of insider info on these boys maybe you might be better getting your facts straight before opening your mouth and knock young lads for living. Were you at the match on Saturday and how many matches since Mick O'Dowd took over have you been at. Do you play yourself or have you any idea what it takes to be involved. There seems to be an awful lot of negative reaction instead of getting behind your club and help to produce future Meath footballers. Its easy to come on to this site 20 times a day with opinion on everyone and eveything. You might be better off putting your energy into doing something about it. Glad to see my Clubman Donal Lenihan getting a run on Saturday. That is the good thing about MOD he had given lads a chance.

castleroyal (Meath) - Posts: 57 - 13/07/2015 20:55:09    1752926

Trim1, at least you have calmed down a bit there. I'm with Ziggy, it seems unnatural to me to wake up the morning after a championship exit (hangover of sorts) and decide out of the blue to go on a holiday. And that is as a supporter not player. I suppose some people/youngsters today with time off are that impulsive, as they are brought up in an age of instant gratification ... different generation to some of us here. It must have been on their minds though to book a holiday IF not WHEN they lost. I'm not knocking any player(s) for doing so, but it isn't the ideal mentality to have going into a match. You approach a game with the attitude well you would prefer to win, but how hard are you prepared to really fight for it or how focused/determined are you, if you know in the back of your mind, you can go on a holiday instead if you don't with little effort required, as a consolation prize.

Players make sacrifices in their family and social lives to play IC football for Meath, but they do so by out of self interest first and foremost, not out of the kindness of their hearts. Many no doubt have a sense of duty given inclusion in the county panel/selection on the team, but the county star mentality is still present in Meath. Do players take enough personal responsibility for their own fitness/stamina levels, so as not to be found wanting when it matters most.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 13/07/2015 20:59:10    1752929

100% agree with Glas...

No I could not make the game on Saturday,but I go to most games in the O'Byrne Cup,League etc.That was the first champ game I missed for a few years.Anyway I don't have to explain myself,and yes I do play.There is a mentality problem and you need a strong manager to sort that out.Back in the day,Sean Boylan managed to sort that out.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 21:04:53    1752934

Castleroyal

Sorry but many people in other walks of life do not even get to go on holiday.Nothing wrong with them going on holiday,but the same players were on holiday earlier in the year,so its not as if they don't get a chance.Like Glas says,they hardly woke up Sunday morning and suddenly booked a holiday.It must have been in their minds prior to the Tyrone game.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 21:09:51    1752937

Castleroyal

I also have an uncle involved with one of the development squads.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 21:12:10    1752939

Glas

Indeed my point,you can work hard,but I don't think a lot of the players are 100% focused and determined,I think that is clear to anyone who watches them play.It seems though that the management team are too soft to deal with that though.You need to be as focused and determined as most of your opponents.I don't think we are..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 21:15:37    1752944

If it was in their minds prior to the Tyrone game,it also shows that they lacked belief going into that game.Otherwise you should not be thinking about going on holidays,because you think you know you will win that match.The holiday itself is not the problem obviously,but the belief and mentality is.Imo,many of the players may have lost confidence in management,and obviously they won't say that in public.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/07/2015 21:22:57    1752951

It is amazing how the real issue can be clouded. Ziggy gave one example of where some players were possibly not fully focussed on the important task ahead [the holiday issue] So Ziggy becomes the focus for attack. The real issue is the apparent lack of proper physical and mental preparation of the team over a prolonged period along with the "softness".I was was at most matches,and it was painfully obvious that too many players go missing when the chips are down.they were not fit enough etc.I happen to believe most posters on here just want the best for the county. They express their frustration,and offer opinions to an opinion based forum.So steady on look at the real issue OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS. " lack of proper physical and mental preparation of the team" Yes the players put in a lot of time and effort but for the massive reward and honour of wearing the jersey of a once proud county. In some cases it does appear some players don't feel that honour in their bones,and maybe they should give the jersey back in that case.
I attended many training sessions as a spectator under Sean Boylan where your commitment as a player was tested to the limit. In those days the word "softness" was not used. They called it COMMITMENT ! Sean where are you now ? We could do with some of your inspirational sessions where mind over matter was so visible.

nobull456 (Meath) - Posts: 1227 - 13/07/2015 21:52:02    1752985

McHugh made a point on the SG that Meath can't defend against players who run at the defence. Nothing new there, it's been mentioned on various posts about the lack of physical conditioning of our players, so when you see players falling off tackles etc. it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Also the lack of understanding about positioning in the modern game is astonishing. Case in point would be the Westmeath #6 (can't rem his name) who scored 2-2 against us, and the way he was able to muscle his way along the endline. Compare that to what he managed against Dublin. Still got 0-2, but at no time was he able to get around his marker and even if he did, there was another player on the line to act as a back up and prevent the run on goal. Scored both goals against us by muscling the 1st defender out of the way, no cover and hey presto, there's a clear run on goal. McCann and Harte last weekend in the 2nd half waltzed past defenders as if they weren't there. Tyrone won because of these 2 players, McCann in particular. These are just the latest blatant examples of this type of play from Meath. It's been happening for a number of years and appears to be getting worse not better. Improving physical conditioning etc. takes time but isn't rocket science. It hasn't happened in the 3yrs of MODS mgmt. Will it improve in the next year regardless of who is in charge? All I can say with any certainty is, if this issue is not addressed, we'll be back here again next year in the same situation or worse.

moylagh (Meath) - Posts: 484 - 14/07/2015 10:53:17    1753087

moylagh

Agreed..

If MOD could not change this obvious problems in 3 years,well he won't do it next year or the year after.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 14/07/2015 11:24:36    1753102

According to the Chronicle Conor Gillespie could be retiring!

Surely not?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 15/07/2015 09:35:41    1753592