Lads there has been plenty of debate on loads of threads as to where/or if Anto Moyles should start for Meath. I personally rate the lad as one of our top players. He is not a full back but still gave it his best shot last season. I think Moyles at CHF would be perfect for pulling the strings, linking forwards and backs, winning ball around the middle and generally adding some composure to an attacking force that can sometimes lose their way when Plan A isn't working out. He was crucial in 2007 and from what I've seen of him he is still plenty fit to do the same job for us this season.

My proposal would be McGuinness at CHB, Joe and Nigel at MF, Moyles at CHF and Queeney at FF .... granted we still need someone to shore up fullback but that would be one hell of a spine to the Meath team.

TheFlyingTeacup (Meath) - Posts: 286 - 22/02/2010 11:22:01    569224

I too would like to see Moyles on the starting team but I can't really see it happening. He is so versatile, he could play anywhere and in that regard he is an extremely valuable option to have on the bench. He could slot in almost anywhere if things aren't going according to plan.

McGuinness seems to have the centre half back position nailed down. I believe Moyles could do a job at centre half forward if Joe was to move to full forward. However with all the talent we already have in the full forward line (Queeney, two Brays, Ward, Farrell), I don't see that happenning. I still think we could see Moyles at full back if Reilly is still injured.

men_of_49 (Meath) - Posts: 2024 - 22/02/2010 12:47:27    569392

my proposal is moyles at centre half back and switch mcguinness to wing back, mcguinness for me is to loose at CHB and when in posession tries to many times to take men on and beat them, plus when he goes forward he sometimes forgets to come back, moyles with his experience and positional sense would be a safer option there for me, like the last few minutes against armagh, he was in the right place at the right time.

The.Rock (Meath) - Posts: 582 - 22/02/2010 12:54:30    569406

I think he would be a wonderful corner back. In the last couple of years has anyone noticed that against dublin, whether it was Boylan Barry or Coyle, if Alan Brogan started to destroty us he would be put back to curtail him.

James T (Meath) - Posts: 611 - 22/02/2010 13:04:29    569440

I'd like to see Moyles given a go at wing forward. He can filed and is quite creative with the ball. This is something that we often lack around this position. OUr inside forwards are lthal once they get the right kind of ball in.

BRING_ON_GURTY! (Meath) - Posts: 712 - 22/02/2010 13:09:44    569452

I don't think Moyles really falls into the playmaker category so I couldn't justify starting him at CHF. He was excellent when lining out on the forty under previous managers but really he was there to win ball and offer defensive cover. Does he still have the legs to play around midfield at thirty-three? Wouldn't a younger option like Cormac McGuinness be better here?

Centre-Half Back was and is Moyles' best position. He's an excellent stopper, well able to plug up any lanes that open south of mid-field and he's well able to kick a ball, often letting the ball in quick and early onto the Full-Forward line. He's also a better man-marker than McGuinness.

I too would like to see Joe and Nigel start at midfield, really think they'd compliment each other. McGuinness at no.10 or 12 could be great for Meath. I've said this before but look at the kind of impact a player like Joe McMahon has for Tyrone. McGuinness could do the same with Moyles at 6, sweeping up behind midfield and launching counter-attacks when the ball's turned over.

Ollie99 (Meath) - Posts: 442 - 22/02/2010 13:39:11    569494

I think you could be onto something The.Rock. A little less radical than my proposal of Joe at midfield.

TheFlyingTeacup (Meath) - Posts: 286 - 22/02/2010 13:49:18    569503

TheFlyingTeacup
County: Meath
Posts: 190

My proposal would be McGuinness at CHB, Joe and Nigel at MF, Moyles at CHF and Queeney at FF .... granted we still need someone to shore up fullback but that would be one hell of a spine to the Meath team.

Agree entirely with this! Of course, these five positions all revolve around Joe in midfield and right now, EOB and his management team seem reluctant to try him there.

Certainly, Stephen Bray and Cian Ward are not the answers at CHF, at least not in the long term and if Joe is going to be midfield, then having Moyles CHF is not a bad alternative. Moyles always had a touch of class about him and its a wonder he ended up so many times in the backs. His versatility cost him a few times but its still not too late to try him in the forwards. He could pull the strings at CHF, a bit like Giles in the 90s, dropping back behind midfield and operating as a quarterback if you like.

Loyal2TheRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 4522 - 22/02/2010 13:57:11    569517

I think Moyles needs to be in the team in some capacity.
As the The_flying teaspoon points out he was crucial in 2007 and his absence was a big factor in the capitulation to Cork in the semi-final.

He did his best at FB but that's not where he should be played.
I think he would do a great job at 6 or 11 and the above posters make valid points.
Playing him at CHF would allow him to stay out around the middle and help there linking up with the forwards.
It would also give the option to pull him back and play as a 7th defender of it was needed to see out a game or shore up the defense and create space for the forwards.

It would be a shame not to utilize a player like Moyles

Royal_Gunner (Meath) - Posts: 534 - 22/02/2010 13:59:01    569520

The.Rock
County: Meath
Posts: 354

569406 my proposal is moyles at centre half back and switch mcguinness to wing back, mcguinness for me is to loose at CHB and when in posession tries to many times to take men on and beat them, plus when he goes forward he sometimes forgets to come back, moyles with his experience and positional sense would be a safer option there for me, like the last few minutes against armagh, he was in the right place at the right time

Surely if its positional sense you're after, then McGuinness has to be the man?

As I said on other threads, find me a better reader of the game than McGuinness right now? I can't think of anyone.

Loyal2TheRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 4522 - 22/02/2010 13:59:19    569521

stick him center back. half back line of McGuinness Moyles Kenny looks solid to me

Ochocinco (Meath) - Posts: 82 - 22/02/2010 18:17:43    569926

loyal, ive played against both and would put moyles there ahead of mcguinness anytime, you cant beat experience and moyles in the last 10mins against armagh read the game better then anyone and due to his positional sense stopped a couple of attacks, like i said cormac tries to beat his man to much which has led to frees against us and points a few times, and forgets sometimes to come back when he goes forward.

I'm not saying he's not a good reader of the game, i just feel he's to loose for an important position like that, looking back at some of last years matches, a big hole appeared down the middle of the defence at times and cormac was nowhere in sight.

The.Rock (Meath) - Posts: 582 - 22/02/2010 18:45:15    569978

and joe is not a county midfielder, this is no disrespect to him as i know him but he doesnt have the pace for it, full forward is his best position in my opinion, if meath or seneschalstown need a goal, who's the 1st man sent to the edge of the square for the high ball, its him, why, cos at the end of the day, he's the best target man in the county

The.Rock (Meath) - Posts: 582 - 22/02/2010 18:50:37    569991

Stick Moyles anywhere but the full back line.. his burst out of the blocks to a 50/50 ball is probably his biggest weakness and I think it wise not to expose that again.. central positions tend to suit him best but again I'd have more faith in McGuinness at CHB as when the intensity rises, thats when young legs come in.. but again you'd have to acknowledge Moyle's physical presence, he would be an asset for getting in the way of attacks, moping up ball and providing structure to the defence but when you're counter-attacking I'd feel McGuinness would be quicker, sharper and fitter to launch attacks from the back.. it really is a debatable subject..

CHF probably is a more realistic option for EOB to consider for Moyles.. his ability to pick up breaking ball and distributing it into the forwards could create a great linkage in the forward line.. should be considered and it'll be interesting to see how positions pan out over the league..

RoyalClass (Meath) - Posts: 790 - 22/02/2010 19:03:46    570016

The.Rock
County: Meath
Posts: 356

569991 and joe is not a county midfielder, i meant to write this, but sent it before editing, this is no disrespect to him as i know some will disagree with me

The.Rock (Meath) - Posts: 582 - 22/02/2010 19:08:08    570020

Joe not a county midfielder? I'm not sure about that statement at all. The same reservations about mobility and workrate were held about Eamonn Fennel by a lot of Dublin fans but so far he's been a revelation. Granted, he hasn't been tested in the cauldron of Croke Park on a summer's afternoon but if he can cut it there surely Joe would thrive at midfield too?

If Joe was so lacking in pace why would his more athletic brother be preferred to him at full-forward? Surely Brian would be better suited to midfield, particularly when you factor in Seneschalstown's other starting midfielder, Damien, is not exactly a speed merchant?

Joe's definitely one of the best target-men in the land but right now Jamie Queeney's showing so much promise that he would be my starter at no.14. Joe at midfield, aided and abetted by Moyles and McGuinness would provide some serious ammunition. Like you said, get the right kind of ball to our inside forwards and they can be lethal.

Ollie99 (Meath) - Posts: 442 - 23/02/2010 11:04:49    570516

Moyles at CHF and Joe at MF appears to be the shout. It is definitely something that I'd like to see EOB try in a few league games at the very least.

TheFlyingTeacup (Meath) - Posts: 286 - 23/02/2010 11:26:20    570532

Won't happen. Kevin Reilly will more than likely get injured again, Macken will have a mare of a game and Moyles will be back on the edge of the square. I think he's a good full-back, don't think he was ever really exposed for a lack of pace last year he's just unfortunate enough to be playing in the most disorganised Meath defence I've ever seen.

Ollie99 (Meath) - Posts: 442 - 23/02/2010 11:34:05    570547

Midfield at club level is totally ddifferent to midfield at county level, hence why he plays there for seneschalstown, i dont feel he has the pace for midfield at county level, and in my opinion there is no chance that meath will be try him there in the league

The.Rock (Meath) - Posts: 582 - 23/02/2010 13:17:00    570650

To be honest I think the best place for him is on the bench, he would be a great impact sub like against Armagh in this years league. He was shown up too easily last year against Kerry.

theblindassasin (Meath) - Posts: 915 - 23/02/2010 14:46:08    570773