Brogan urges Gavin not to change system

November 06, 2014

Dublin's Bernard Brogan

Bernard Brogan is hoping there won't be a knee-jerk reaction to Dublin's shock All-Ireland SFC semi-final defeat to Donegal this year.

While there are many who feel the Dubs should adopt a more defensive approach next season after leaking three goals to the Ulster champions, Brogan is calling on manager Jim Gavin to stick to the attacking brand of football that has served the Dubs well for the most part over the past couple of years. 

"There would be that danger (that people would overreact)," Brogan told the Irish Independent after he and his Dublin team-mates Alan Brogan and Eoghan O'Gara had worked a shift at Nando's in Blanchardstown  in aid of the Aware charity.

"I know a lot of people would be asking Jim is he going to change things and go more defensive. I hope he continues with the style of football that has worked well for us.

"I think we have the players to play it, it's just about getting the balance right and having your structures so you don't concede silly goals, but still attack from deep and in numbers. I'm sure it will be the case that we'll take the lessons learned but still play the football that we like to play."

He argued: "I wouldn't say it was the system (that failed). A little bit of panic came into the players. When the first goal went in, we could have got a couple of goals and they got one and we panicked a bit.

"At half-time we thought we were okay and that we have been in this position before and this is when we come into our own. So there was no panic at all at half-time. We went out and Donegal asked a few more questions of us and it was like 'hold on, this is worrying'.

"They are a good side and when the second (kick-out) went over the top with the fisted ball - it showed we were chasing the game too much at that time. We were a bit unlucky and a bit too aggressive in going forward."


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