Likes with the Mayo looking the imminent reappointment of James Horan. Is this a bit drastic?? H & C have received a lot of unfair criticism. Horan after messed up on the big occasions. Assigning rookie full back Kevin Keane to mark Mick Murphy in 2012 final. Keeping Keith Higgins back in the backs when his opponent clearly pulled a muscle in leg and couldnt walk in 2013. Taking of key players and nearly let Cork back into game in 2014 QF. Failure to adpot a sweeper in 2014 semi finals when Gerry Caffrey was struggling with Donaghy. Is Horan over rated?? Should Stephen Rochford get the job??

HughHunt24 (Cork) - Posts: 841 - 09/10/2015 10:40:09    1797341

Are HughHunt's wind up threads over-rated?

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 09/10/2015 11:42:56    1797404

Horan did make mistakes, most managers do, but I don't think he's over-rated.

But Rochford should get the job. Some fresh ideas. Hopefully can go and find some new talent, not just players coming through the underage ranks maybe will find some in their 20s in junior or intermediate or playing in college that he sees something in. As he's from outside the county he's be less prone to be swayed by the 'He never played under-age, doesn't play for a senior club' brigade with an agenda to have their own club players selected.

We've been good enough to reach 7 finals in 26 years. That is a fact. But for many players it's not a statement that makes them think we are capable of lifting Sam. It's a millstone around their neck. As supporters we can slip into the mindset of thinking we'll do well in 2016 if Kerry or Dublin are poor which is the wrong frame of mind. We are good enough to win the All Ireland. I don't think the current set of forwards are good enough. Moran, Dillon, McLoughlin, Doherty, Conroy, Freeman and Donaldson aren't good enough to win an All Ireland in my opinion. They've had enough chances. Diarmuid O'Connor has it. So does Cillian but he needs to contribute more from play. Aidan O'Shea has it but should never be left so isolated like he was in the Dublin semis. I'm forgetting some from either side here. Maybe give Lee Keegan a run in the half forwards in FBD and see how he goes.

Our backs need to improve but for now the only backs I'd drop is Ger Caffrey. I thought he did ok v Donegal and 1st game v Dublin but he was all at sea for the three goals we conceded in the replay. Not aggressive enough to be an All Ireland winning defender.

If we start the 2016 championship without making major changes to this squad, without a change in mindset, without an improved ability to make the right decisions at the crucial times, that lead to scores or preventing scores, we are sunk.

I don't think Horan is over-rated but he's too involved with the current squad of players. Rochford should be given the job.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7336 - 09/10/2015 11:44:12    1797406

Shallow squad

That's the problem.

Constantly having to overreach IMO

Not enough raw materials.

Against the best, that's when it gets exposed.

Although in saying that.. in 2016 they have an excellent chance to get to an AI final

Unless an Ulster team can improves (looking like Tyrone at this stage)

But if they find themselves with the same faces, same lack of options

I predict more pain for them.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 09/10/2015 11:59:50    1797420

The master
Yes they are.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 09/10/2015 13:22:31    1797465

JAMES HORAN TOOK MAYO WHEN THEY WERE NOT COMPETITIVE AND BROUGHT
THEM CLOSE TO THE TOP DURING HIS TERM DID HE MAKE MISTAKES YES JUST
LIKE ALL THE OTHER TOP MANAGERS WHO HAVE MADE MISTAKES IN RECENT TIMES
HE DID VERY WELL WITH THE PLAYERS HE HAD THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION I
THINK HE SHOULD RETURN AND IF HE CAN FIND SOME NEW TALENT THEY COULD
BRING SAM HOME IS HE OVERRATED I HAVE TO SAY NO

wfkerry (USA) - Posts: 933 - 09/10/2015 13:39:50    1797474

KingdomBoy1
County: Kerry
Posts: 3375

1797465 The master
Yes they are.

Yes getting to the stage when you see the headline of topic and you know its one of about 4 posters that's fishing , unfortunately one of them is from my own county , but yes more see through that milley cyrus outfits some posts

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 09/10/2015 13:41:24    1797475

One way to find out - put it to a vote with the current Mayo squad...

opa01 (Cavan) - Posts: 500 - 09/10/2015 13:49:49    1797481

Not really. You must remember that Mayo were humbled by Sligo and Longford in the championship immediately before Horan took over. Holmes and Connelly managed his team for the most part (Durcan and Drake being the only additions). Sure, Horan made mistakes, but given the level of consistency that he achieved, I'd say he's easily the best manager we've ever had.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 09/10/2015 13:51:17    1797482

Damo
I can't say too much cos I do a bit of WUMMING my self when I get bored ;-)

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 09/10/2015 17:19:26    1797554

Connaught was very poor when Horans Mayo were winning at ease out west however Mayo could only play what was in front of them .

They massacred sides and kudos to them on that .

All managers have made huge mistakes ie Jim not starting McBrearty in 2014 , Gavin playing the high line also in 2014 or Eamonn Fitz not playing Donaghy earlier .

James Horan for me is a very very good manager , always keeps his cool and is interesting to listen to .

James Horan is definitely not over rated and I'd gladly have him in Donegal .

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 09/10/2015 19:39:20    1797574

Not overrated. Good discpiline and great motivator. Lacked a small bit of tactical astuteness in the 2 finals of 2012 and 2013. He was most unfortunate in 2014 when his 2 marquee players concussed each other in the game v kerry in a freak collision. I would say on the balance of things, he is the best man for the mayo job again

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 10/10/2015 09:41:02    1797623

Horan is a good manager but he had his chance between 2011-2014, time for new blood, new ideas, new gamelan, let him take over again in 10 years time

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 10/10/2015 11:01:09    1797641

So if it is true that JH is returning was he pulling the strings in the removal of previous management duo? He did have 3-4 years at the Mayo job and could not get them over the line. Until then he is a B-rate at best.

Redslayer (Westmeath) - Posts: 100 - 10/10/2015 12:12:26    1797657

Great fella, Mayo should reappoint him. He is a better manager than analyst with his inconsistent comments. He was very critical of Kevin Walsh "not making progress" this year but gave Mayo a pass with their two leaders. He is awesome on the sideline though.

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1667 - 10/10/2015 12:19:30    1797658

Over rated? establish a standard to bench mark against first.
Should he come back? Depends on who is available

anfearcuin (UK) - Posts: 4 - 10/10/2015 12:51:02    1797670

I wish we had Horan at the minute instead of Gallagher,he is a very good manager from what I can see, he has just been unlucky and I suppose Mayo were always a forward or two short of ever winning Sam under his charge.

TirChonaillabu2 (Donegal) - Posts: 344 - 10/10/2015 15:05:21    1797700

Massively over rated.. the Donegal All ireland?? Match ups completely wrong.. if he is the bench mark for the mayo players then we will never win Sam.. Look at the money he spent also, like a county like Sligo or Letrim could not have a fraction of these figures to spend

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/mayo-board-to-demand-explanation-for-players-discontent-356862.html

sxckev (Mayo) - Posts: 211 - 11/10/2015 11:14:08    1797784

Definitely Not Overrated

mod (Mayo) - Posts: 859 - 12/10/2015 10:18:04    1797923

Hard to know how to rate James Horan mainly because Connacht is so poor.

Realistically, over the past 5 years Mayo have been challenged once per season, never once in Connacht. So we can only give him kudos for his first win in 2011 when Mayo were a mess. Outside of Connacht they have been challenged one per season (Kerry, Donegal, Dublin, Kerry, Dublin) and each time they've been challenged outside of Connacht, they've failed. They've never once had a 'big victory'. One that was against the odds. Á la Donegal v Dublin in 2014, or Dublin v Donegal in 2011 or Dublin v Kerry in 2013. Mayo always unable to put two massive performances back to back. And that's what you need.

I said ages ago that he brought Mayo to a new level, but didn't deliver the ultimate prize - especially when it was there for the taking in 2013. Good manager, not a great one.

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 12/10/2015 10:52:41    1797944