I don't know the club scene that well Flaker. Other than getting my hands on The Western every few weeks I'd know little in comparison to yourself. Maybe Rochford could spot an emerging gem that hasn't been through the county underage system. Maybe he can spot some raw potential like a talent scout.

If they don't get some new faces he's left to rejigging and improving what we have. Horan finally got a fairly good tune out of Alan Freeman in 2013. A player who always has had potential, just at times didn't look too motivated. You mentioned earlier getting a beast of a full back. Getting a full back would do me! Cafferkey doesn't seem to have what it takes to be a top class Number 3. But we shouldn't discard him either. Maybe Rochford can turn him into Ballina's Francie Bellew. Or find him a spot elsewhere in the backline.

I was thinking how would Lee Keegan fare as a wing forward with a man dedicated to mark him? We will never know unless we try. Not as outlandish a plan moving Keith Higgins into the forwards seemed to be although it did rob Peter to pay Paul. Even Keith looks past his best days now unfortunately. I cannot see an All Ireland in the current squad playing as they are. I think we've not improved after 2012. Unfortunately other counties have improved since then and continue to do so. I'm an optimist even though what I'm saying is pessimistic. Forget this 'too many miles on the clock for them players' line. We need Rochford Motors (You heard it here first!!!) to forget the past. For all the squad to absolutely detest losing but when to have the balls to go out and dominate and win big games. These players had the confidence to get of management they didn't think were up to the job. They need to show that confidence on the pitch.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7360 - 27/11/2015 11:32:27    1810210

I've thought about it often of late, when looking at the Mayo setup. If they had Philly McMahon, Diarmuid Connolly and Jack McCaffery, I would be genuinely worried about the Dubs playing them.

They have a good squad, but no backbone to form a team around.

Jaden (Dublin) - Posts: 139 - 27/11/2015 12:11:37    1810217

so how may of the backroom staff will be getting paid for their services?

Rosineri1 (UK) - Posts: 2099 - 27/11/2015 12:28:26    1810219

Mayo's main hope of beating Dublin in 2016 will be if Dublin struggle with the back to back...

If you look at almost all of Mayo's major wins since 2011

They have all come against deflated AI champs looking to retain their title

They have papered over a fair few cracks with such wins... and this has built up a bit of hype around the team, later to be exposed on the big day.

Look at 2014 / 2015

They didn't make the final...

Both years they didn't have a key game in the run to a final against a depleted champion

It's not back room staff, it's not a change of manager, it's not from lack of serious funding with millions spent...

It's the players available. If buying an AI was possible.. Mayo would have already won one.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 27/11/2015 12:50:38    1810223

Jaden- I would say Philly and Bernard!!!

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 27/11/2015 13:05:07    1810230

Mayo's main hope of beating Dublin in 2016 will be if Dublin struggle with the back to back...

I'd be thinking more along the lines of putting together a gameplan like Jim McGuinness did in 2014 which stopped Dublin from getting a goal and gets your own team to score 3 beauties. Nothing to do with back to back, just blew them away.

Would be hard to do though as the 5 subs Dublin were bringing on in 2015 were awesome. 'Game Management' they call it in the modern era. 'Warm up young fella' was what it was called in my day.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 27/11/2015 13:58:04    1810235

Jaden
County: Dublin
Posts: 17

1810217
I've thought about it often of late, when looking at the Mayo setup. If they had Philly McMahon, Diarmuid Connolly and Jack McCaffery, I would be genuinely worried about the Dubs playing them.

They have a good squad, but no backbone to form a team around.

We'd all be in with a shout if we had those 3

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12121 - 27/11/2015 14:00:36    1810236

Mc Entee is the one that stands out here. Its a shame my own county did not take a punt on him as we would be in a much better place now. He talks and people listen and he has been there done that. Great backroon now for Mayo and up to the players, there is no excuses left now

pretender (Meath) - Posts: 358 - 27/11/2015 14:13:50    1810240

Slayer

I'd be thinking more along the lines of putting together a gameplan like Jim McGuinness did in 2014 which stopped Dublin from getting a goal and gets your own team to score 3 beauties. Nothing to do with back to back, just blew them away.

_____

Outdated Slayer

Dublin are now a far more balanced team compared to Jim Gavin's 2014 Dublin

That simply wouldn't work now to the same degree.

Dublin couldn't have made it easier for Donegal - complete lack of tactical awareness to counter the counter

Dublin were beaten tactically and deservedly on the day, because Gavin got it wrong and Dublin were naïve. He's learned from that and he's come back a better all round manager and that was clear to see in 2015.

Dublin had the best defensive record in NFL Div 1 - which still scoring a lot and continued that form with one of the best defensive records in the championship, while still scoring a lot.

Balance.

The main weakness Dublin will have next year is trying to go for two in a row and the obvious problems that brings

Tactically we're absolutely ready for offensive / defensive football

Main issues will be retirements, lack of hunger, perhaps tired minds... and the usual issue that back to back seeking teams have come up against

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 27/11/2015 14:51:48    1810251

McEntee was a joint manager at Crossmaglen his first outright manager role was with Brigids in Dublin and he has left them in the relegation zone. Rochford did well with Corofin last year to win the All Ireland however in his other two years with Corofin they failed to even win Connacht losing twice at home to Castlebar. The jury is out on both McEntee,Rochford at count level.

The best part of that expensive Mayo backroom/management team is keeping hold of Solan,Buckley those two will be the reason why Mayo should stay in the top 4 for at least another two years.

Mr_Pundit (UK) - Posts: 677 - 27/11/2015 21:16:32    1810303

Joking aside , Mayo have a strong backroom team . Good luck to them , they are giving it everything to get Sam. Time will tell whether its too many cooks in the kitchen.
On mcEntee i assume he is brought on board to train lads up here in Dublin (i could be wrong) , he had sucess with Cross , but i know a few Brigids lads who are glad to see the back of him , he nearly ruined them .I wonder did Rochford feel he needed known names in his set up to get players on board from the start.
ls this the way things will have to be from now on,for new managers to get players on board.
Will it turn out to be all fur coat and no knickers.
All the same it keeps things interesting.
The Galway lads will be seeing what the Mayo players got for christmas and im sure will want a big back room team from Santa as well.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 28/11/2015 09:51:48    1810312