BorderlineBlue (Monaghan) - Posts: 10 - 20/02/2022 10:58:20    2401219

Conor McManus is 35 this year? Monaghan still overly reliant on him

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2874 - 20/02/2022 11:48:41    2401236

HB245 (Monaghan) - Posts: 251 - 20/02/2022 12:28:49    2401248

If people want to anylise this game in isolation so be it, there is a sense of denial there for whatever reason.
The facts are that we are as good as anybody up until the final third, after that we are the poorest in the league, sometimes self imploding like headless chickens. There is obviously little work being done on a forward scoring strategy in order to work a score. Goal chances are met with a sense of panic rather than any confidence. How hard can it be to keep a ball low and straight ffs. The players can't be faulted for effort or desire, they are obviously giving it their all

Someone said previously here, and quite rightly, that we need an attacking coach. We obviously don't have any good enough within the current set up.

There is also an obvious issue of discipline within the squad, we have become very confrontational meaning we are easy to get at. Complimenting Beggan for covering this deficiency is nothing short of a cop out. It cost us the game yesterday, say what you see. Gone are the times when we were known for taking and giving a hit and just carrying on, now it seems to be taken and encouraged to be taken personally, I have seen this attitude previously. You would think with all the so called refereeing expertise around Corduff they would get some schooling regarding discipline.

Yesterday we were lucky to get a point. Armagh were dire in the first half, missed 3 clear goal chances in the second. The penalty WAS a goal as the ball clearly crossed the line (check the footage on Monaghan Gaa twitter account).

There seems to be half the County waiting for the set up to fail, the other half living in denial, we are very poor in attack and need to work on an attacking strategy all out before the next game or face relegation which would suit both sides in the argument

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1067 - 20/02/2022 12:55:14    2401260

PolicemanFox (Monaghan) - Posts: 191 - 20/02/2022 13:58:02    2401280

https://twitter.com/Rafferty1984/status/1495146965725757440?t=3QhaZt0tf9nS9y8Sp6JNnA&s=19

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1067 - 20/02/2022 15:00:34    2401304

mick2007 (Monaghan) - Posts: 570 - 20/02/2022 15:40:26    2401313

Good post mhunicean_abu. Looked like a complete lack of forward coaching in the final few minutes last night. Once Mansy wasn't there to conjure up a piece of magic, or draw 2 defenders, we seemed to have zero plan for how to unpick a massed defense. Where was the coached move from the training ground? It was just back side forward back side forward...hoping that 'something' might happen.

Have Banty and his clatter of various backroom 'big names' improved us as a team? In what area are we better than we were a few years ago under MOR? When was the last time you could say we won a game on the line?

As a side note I would say it's a wonder Mansy doesn't lash out more often, given the treatment he gets. It must be very hard to have to put up with it week in week out.

moodoo (Monaghan) - Posts: 462 - 20/02/2022 15:49:35    2401318

Heart, determination, commitment, monaghan have it all. The last 15 years have been great viewing but two ulsters is probably a bad return. Monaghans best year was probably 2018 and it wasn't without problems. That year they played without fear, were disciplined and racked up high tallies around the 18 point mark. It was hugely enjoyable now it all seems very fragile again, build up a big league, throw it away, can't see out a game, lads go missing etc.
I don't know what it is but the players don't seem to handle pressure well from an attacking point of view, no point naming individuals on here but outside of Mc manus and perhaps bannigan who is a real find, the current crop are just not consistent enough at this level. It's very hard to put your finger on it, frustrating and diasapointing that managment and players cant learn to close out a game, in 2020, it was the same dublin and Cavan, the team don't seem to be learning at all.
Is there an ulster title in this team? I don't think so, they just have enough quality and killer instinct.

222 (UK) - Posts: 846 - 20/02/2022 15:54:39    2401322

Good result when you factor in we lost Kearns early on, McManus to a red, Dessie ward to a black left us with 13 and then McAnespie coming off injured and McCarthy not being available. On the other hand we missed way way too many wides in general but especially the first half and even though Armagh had goal chances at the start of both half's we should of had 10 or 11 points on the board at half time. Scoring 1 or 2 points in one half won't cut it in Div 1. Our free taking has even been off the last while but we can still get these things right.

I felt we held Rian O'Neill well for the most part and Armagh were always gonna have their purple patch along with their great support behind them but in general were the only team so far to not let them have it their way and control the game. Darren Hughes was outstanding, Kieran done well when he came on.

Did very well too hold onto the ball when needed, I think we're very good at that and Beggan is unreal and what he does, he's always a great outlet. It's crazy when you see him in their full forward line and being marked but for Monaghan fans at this stage we're used to it. Hes just as class to watch and McManus.

Should be a good one v Kerry next which I believe is in Inniskeen.

MonaghanGlory (Monaghan) - Posts: 738 - 20/02/2022 16:20:39    2401332

To add onto my last message, A lots been said about the refs performance, I think he was awful for both teams at different times and I don't know how Armagh goal from the penalty didn't stand.

The athletic grounds was a good visit as always, well ran spot and good music on the speakers to boot.

MonaghanGlory (Monaghan) - Posts: 738 - 20/02/2022 16:22:59    2401333

Think o Hanlon is a big miss this year you can't coach pace and his is of the kind to create chances and open up defences. The way we play attacking wise is effective only when done at pace and direct ball going in. The lateral over and back stuff is meat and drink to div 1 defences. Big test of team now with mcmanus likely missing a few games could be a good thing in long run as he won't be there forever and other lads have to step up.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1882 - 20/02/2022 18:44:00    2401383

MonaghanGlory (Monaghan) - Posts: 738 - 20/02/2022 21:36:50    2401468

A point against this Armagh team is the only positive from last night..
We are so poor in final third it's scary, so reliant on McManus bailing us out everytime he's on the pitch.
I seen a comment praising our ball retention at the end, I disagree, we looked scared with nobody willing to take a chance to build a score never mind take a shot, speaks volumes about the mindset in this group, JUST DONT LOOSE! Where's the desire to get/steal a win???

Truth be told Armagh probably 3-6 points a better team, they cut us open multiple times and were through on goal only to waste the opportunity, conditions playing a major role.

Next up Kerry, with Manzy suspended and Clifford now able to give Kerry full focus, God help us. Could be a serious defeat…

Blueblood4life (Monaghan) - Posts: 200 - 20/02/2022 21:51:35    2401474

MonaghanGlory (Monaghan) - Posts: 738 - 21/02/2022 13:32:11    2401589

farneyexile (UK) - Posts: 4 - 21/02/2022 14:03:08    2401602

I think the biggest issue is discipline.

Monaghan were having great success against Armagh in putting exceptional pressure on their kick outs. This disrupted the potent Armagh attack, reduced their scoring opportunities and increased our own.

As soon as McManus saw red, this abrubtly and necessarily stopped and the pendulum swung towards Armagh in terms of creating chances. The black compounded the issue.

If we cut cut down on the dismissals, our chances would improve.

TearsIn85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 208 - 21/02/2022 14:39:17    2401615

MonaghanGlory (Monaghan) - Posts: 738 - 22/02/2022 08:38:28    2401757

Blueblood4life (Monaghan) - Posts: 200 - 22/02/2022 10:48:57    2401803

Farney (Monaghan) - Posts: 814 - 22/02/2022 13:45:58    2401872