Ziggy, we have a poor defence with guys who hold on to the ball passing backwards and side ways and not being able to lay it off with accuracy or speed- I would not like to be a forward in that setup!- defence not as good as the poor one we had against Westmeath and we are weak in midfield but maybe we have no better. Of course the game is winnable but a big improvement is required in most sections of the field- some forwards need to realise that it is a team game. I am concerned at the number of players who frequently continue to pass the ball to the opposition-are we not practicing the basics?

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 24/02/2016 12:09:51    1827716

ziggy

I'd agree with all that ziggy, I'm not too confident about Sunday either, it'll interesting to see what way we react to the Fermanagh defeat.

We definitely do seem to be caught in an indecisive void between attacking and defending, a good team would call such a system balanced but we appear laregly clueless.

Now no manager sends their team out without a game plan, but MOD either can't decide on one or he can't get it across to the players because after 4 years in charge there's still no consistent pattern emerging and that's awful given the time he's had.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 24/02/2016 12:42:26    1827737

unless there is a serious reaction to the previous game we wont win. Cavan have a game plan and stick to it. At this moment i would settle for a defensive game plan if we could stick to it. It really is sh-t or bust against Cavan

pretender (Meath) - Posts: 358 - 24/02/2016 15:23:39    1827827

ya if we lose to Cavan we are in serious trouble

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 24/02/2016 16:13:35    1827853

The repeat fixture last year was an atrocious affair that Cavan could easily have won, butchered 2 decent goal chances if memory serves correct. We dug out a win courtesy of S. Bray with a couple of points in the last minutes. At this stage, I don't think we've shown any improvement from last year and if Cavan have they're act together, they will probably win. We find ourselves needing a confidence boosting win, as the upcoming fixtures do not make for pretty reading (Tyrone/Galway/Derry not sure of the order). Needless to say if we lose, we're in a scrap to avoid relegation. Our inability to combine a defensive and attacking plan is shocking at this level. The bulk of these players have been together long enough now to have at least some semblance of cohesion. Thing is, this cohesion seems go missing for large parts of games or is not evident at all. Being the eternal optimist, I'm hoping for a dry day, a good match and a resounding win for Meath by 5+.

moylagh (Meath) - Posts: 484 - 24/02/2016 17:12:44    1827875

Screw defensive system. If they are playing with sweepers, then let's take the initiative and push men up on their sweepers to negate them and turn the tables. Give them something to think about instead of just playing into their hands.

BarneysTie (Meath) - Posts: 258 - 24/02/2016 17:14:12    1827876

I think we can win this one. I think overall, and considering a harsh black card we would have won the last day. It was just not our day, We will re group and do enough to beat Cavan at home. This year so far I know its early but I the think work rate and effort seems to have improved sightly from previous years. Although there is a few that could be doing more around the pitch. But collectively I think there is a improvement. Also I noticed in both Armagh and Fermanagh management where quick to make changes. In the Armagh game in first 15/20 minutes, Armagh inside forwards got some good direct ball and got some good scores from. But we worked hard to stop the supply and played a sweeper that stopped that threat. Also in Fermanagh game when we went to 14 men we immediately up the work rate and developed and more defensive game. So small signs for me that management are quicker at adapting to situations as the occur better than they did the last couple of years. Although that would be hard. I would like to see Mc Mahon and Wallace to start and if its a dry day it will suit them. Definitively we are not that bad, And Power has been doing a ok job a sweeper when needed we badly need a consistent forward that can take a score. Goals seem to hard come as-well lately. Hopefully we can win this one of same level of effort and commitment that was shown in recent games.

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 25/02/2016 21:56:02    1828287

Well a lot of people got their wish with Donnacha Tobin into midfield..
Lets see what the lad can do out in the open spaces

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 26/02/2016 08:03:26    1828292

Good to see Tobin in midfield,hopefully he had the fitness after his layoff.Is Tormey suspended?

Guys Bryan Menton is 100% not joining the panel this year,huge loss.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 26/02/2016 08:30:54    1828294

Very happy to see D Tobin in centrefield, I hope he can perform there because it is a problem area with nobody to partner Rooney. Tobin is an athletic player with a good engine so give him time there and it can work, but be patient, he's only back from injury, it could be a while before we see the best of him.

I'm happy enough with the rest of the team as well, I know Cavan play a very defensive game but there are plenty of scores in our forward line so hopefully they perform.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 26/02/2016 09:20:39    1828300

Win or bust here lads - huge game. Looking back through the Div 2 tables for last 6 years or so, I think only once has a team gone up with 2 losses. If we lose this we'll be battling to stay up.

BarneysTie (Meath) - Posts: 258 - 26/02/2016 09:30:36    1828302

Just looking through the team sheet and it's probably the strongest we've had in terms of players available. Can't see too many more inclusions come championship bar Gillespe and SOR regain fitness, or Bray/ Menton come out of retirement. This is basically what we'll have.

Be a good indication of where we are at the minute, If we can't beat Cavan at home when we're pretty close to full strength it won't bode well for the remainder of the year.

begining (UK) - Posts: 300 - 26/02/2016 09:51:35    1828310

Your research is a bit off there Barneystie.

Roscommon (2015), Kildare (2012), Laois (2011) and Armagh (2010) have all gone up to Division 1 with 2 losses. So 4 times out of the past 6 years.

Promotion is definitely a long shot though at this stage. We would have to beat Cavan and Laois, win 2 out of Tyrone (home), Derry (away) and Galway (away) and hope other results go out way. Right now I would settle for a win on Sunday. I am confident we will do that.

anfearbeag (Meath) - Posts: 1134 - 26/02/2016 11:20:02    1828347

Fair dues AFB. I had a quick scan the other day but I obviously didn't pay enough attention!
You'd have to imagine we'll struggle to beat Tyrone at home, so a win on Sunday is an absolute must, as much for morale as anything.

BarneysTie (Meath) - Posts: 258 - 26/02/2016 11:44:25    1828362

Is Tobin just in midfield because Tormey is missing though?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 26/02/2016 12:35:08    1828385

Tobin is back from injury. Obviously Tormey is suspended, so impossible to know if Tobin is only in for that reason. I don't think Tormey is the answer in midfield so hopefully DT can step up.

BarneysTie (Meath) - Posts: 258 - 26/02/2016 13:21:01    1828403

Don't think tormey is the answer in midfield either,but Tobin hasn't played a game this year,not even for his club I think.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 26/02/2016 13:36:46    1828407

I guess Micko decided he had to dip his To in the water...

BarneysTie (Meath) - Posts: 258 - 26/02/2016 14:57:04    1828444

I don't thin Tormey is suspended going by this http://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/rules-regulations/. Not sure if got a yellow against Armagh. I think he think he did actually. Even still I think you need to get 3 yellows and a black for game suspension.

bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1263 - 26/02/2016 16:12:21    1828467

Tormey was booked against Armagh,a black card counts as a yellow.So in effect he had had 3 yellows

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 26/02/2016 17:34:15    1828491