Johnny Doyle was playing at midfield last year, that's why he made so many runs through the centre of the park. Doesn't matter how big a man is, the notion that one big stopper can block up the middle in a pitch the size of Croke Park is ridiculous. It's about the system, defending as a unit. Let's be honest, we don't tackle well around midfield. Lots of lazy fouls.

If we're starting Mark Ward at midfield I would consider dropping the other midfielder back as a sweeper and make sure that there's a very mobile set of players behind Ward to deal with the runners. It's the pace and movement that creates problems for us. Derry play the same brand of football we do, it's not easy on the eye. Lots of runners.

Ollie99 (Meath) - Posts: 442 - 15/03/2012 14:54:18    1130110

I don't think Banty knows how to use a target-man. We've tried Walsh, both Sheridans, both O'Rourkes in various combinations but he's never figured it out. Kerry know how to do it, Galway too. Get the ball in there quick if you win the kick-out or if they have numbers in front of the full-backs then the wing-backs push high up the pitch and supply the pass inside. You can still beat zonal systems with the long-ball, it just has to be accurate. Most of our forwards play best in a three-man full-forward line anyway which they're used to from club and colleges football. Cian Ward always looks more effective when there's a big target-man there to break the ball to him.

Ollie99 (Meath) - Posts: 442 - 15/03/2012 15:01:57    1130117

Jinxie

I always felt Mc was ragged in the middle.He is a good lad and plays his heart out,but cannot hold that position at centre back.I think we are playing players in the back-line who are not suited to certain positions

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 15/03/2012 16:09:35    1130178

Diego,Jinxie

As regards Menton and Mc,I think one of or two of us have been saying this on the forum for some-time.Menton's best position by far is CB,Mc is better on the wing and Michael Burke is far better on the wing.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 15/03/2012 16:15:51    1130188

Diego you are 100% correct
well spotted

seamusmac (Meath) - Posts: 379 - 15/03/2012 17:20:25    1130263

Re NMM,

I have to say I agree 100% with what you are saying....

As always your calling a spade a spade...

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1994 - 15/03/2012 17:30:28    1130271

Ye you're right Zig
Menton @ 6 and Shane Mc @ 5 would work. Shane as an attacking wing back would be best. Menton is better suited to the chb position and Shane would be an attacking option at wing back

seamusmac (Meath) - Posts: 379 - 15/03/2012 17:31:29    1130274

My Team
1.Gallagher
2.O'brien
3.Reilly
4.Burke
5.Lenihan
6.Mc Inarney
7.Tobin
8.Ward
9.Walsh
10.o'connor
11.Bray
12.Reilly
13.Gilsennan
14.Farrell/queeney
15.Ward (if taking frees)

For the love of god will someone stop letting bray take the frees. Plus at 11 it will make him pass the ball (hopefully)

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 15/03/2012 19:41:47    1130407

royaldunne

Big call to drop Menton. Don't think he's done much wrong so far this year.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 15/03/2012 20:13:32    1130440

my team
1 gallaghar
2 king
3 reilly
4 burke
5 lenihan
6 menton
7 mcanarney
8 walsh
9 ward
10 g reilly
11 bray
12 tobin
13 gilsenan
14 ward
15 farrell

royalwarrior (Meath) - Posts: 33 - 15/03/2012 21:58:04    1130534

Meath Team for Sunday against Derry

1.D.Gallagher
2.E.Harrington/G.O'Brien/D.Dalton either of these three depending on fittness and everything else
3.K.Reilly
4.C.King
5.M.Burke
6.S.McAranery
7.C.McGuiness/C.Connor
8.B.Menton
9.T.Walsh
10.S.Kenny
11.S.Bray
12.D.Tobin
13.P.Gilensan
14.J.Queeny
15.A.Forde
This the team I would pick but we are badly stuck for a full foward A free taker and Centre foward and We are also struggling big time around the middle of the park we S.O'Rourke back very quickly and we have no choice in my opinion but to start giving the likes of E.Reilly other young players that would be worth a look at in the county. I would bring back P.Byrne back because we could do with his aggervise and is worth a few points when playing in his grove there also players like Mark Collins just will have to be given ago because if don't start picking some these lads we are going to struggle big time and we should think bring A Nestor back if he is around willing give commitment to the cause because this showed some real class when on the panel a couple of years ago

ThickandTin (Meath) - Posts: 121 - 15/03/2012 22:01:20    1130539

ive heard Alan Forde will play some part in sundays game

northsidegael (Meath) - Posts: 108 - 16/03/2012 09:43:24    1130578

Nobody would be marking cooper cause he is injured.

tackleberry (Meath) - Posts: 324 - 16/03/2012 11:38:19    1130675

WE REALLY NEED SOME SPEED IN THE HALF FORWARD LINE, HOPEFULLY ALAN FORDE GETS A RUN AT SOME STAGE ,HIS PACE COULD BE CRUCIAL COMING ON AGAINST TIRED BACKS AND FULL OF RUNNING.I THINK MEATH BY 5 PIONTS

hoopfan (Meath) - Posts: 30 - 16/03/2012 13:29:38    1130770

15/03/2012 20:13:32

Jinxie
County: Meath
Posts: 4060

1130440

royaldunne

Big call to drop Menton. Don't think he's done much wrong so far this year



Yep in hindsight your right drop lenehane and include menton in original selection but switch him to cb. His best position

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 17/03/2012 08:07:13    1131142

I agree with most of what Northmeathman has posted (as usual), however I would add that I am quite happy to see a back going upfield and scoring but only if he is first marking his direct opponent. Good players are always able to know what their primary task is and be able to implement that task Unfortunately most defenders nowadays use the ploy of going upfield with the ball as a scam in trying to hide their own inefficiencies as a defender. Playing a big slow guy at CHB will not works in Croke park against the top teams in present day football We should not forget that one of our more illustrious CHB got a runaround in a final against Down! (and he was better than anything we have now). Anyway back to the present team! I am unimpressed by most of our defenders as they are unable to man mark and defend -more interested in marking space than an opponent with some of them unaware of what is happenning around them. On my final note it does help if you have guys over the team who knows what the game is about and, forget about most of this conditioning stuff (the ball is quite light and you do not need to be a weightlifter to be able to catch it or kick it over the bar!)!!!

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 17/03/2012 13:14:20    1131220

i agree with browncows,the day of playing any of your halfbacks who would be deemed slow is suicide.for the last two years banty has tried to instill a game plan which is shockin to watch and alien to meath football and all he has achieved in doing is confuse meath supporters and the meath players in turn,this game plan should be called PLAN B.now for this weekend i would love to see banty revert back to PLAN A,a forward division which consists of 6 free scoring forwards who will be supplied with fast quick ball into the full forward line and supported by a hard working half forward line who are not afraid to track back when needed,a midfield with one big fielder and one mobile man that can cover the ground up and down the field and a half backline that are young fast and good ball players who can supply quality ball inside,its time to forget about bantys sweeper system,time to forget playing corner backs and halfbacks in the halfforward line,ive been to all the games to date and although there is improvement on last years league the style of football were playin is dirt to watch.in my opinion we have as good a player as any county its just time to start playin meath football and quit tryin to copy our northern friends,if this dosent work and im proven wrong then we can always revert to bantys dreaded PLAN B.

royalwarrior (Meath) - Posts: 33 - 17/03/2012 14:27:11    1131237

we will win nothing playing like that. Dublin, KIldare, Donegal, Cork and Kerry don't play the traditional way anymore and you need to follow suit or get left behind.

BettystownRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 3353 - 17/03/2012 17:25:58    1131338

Royalwarrior. Meaths problem is we are playing catch up with most counties we stuck with what you termed plan a way too long and got left behind

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 17/03/2012 17:26:27    1131339

What time is throw in?????

duffer92 (Meath) - Posts: 23 - 17/03/2012 19:35:43    1131415