Gutted about yesterday, most people on here should probably sleep on a result before coming on to spout which for the most part is rubbish.
My brief thoughts on the game were the best team won, not a 6 point better team but more like 2 or 3 without ever being in danger.
Negatives;
Forker was poor after such a good game last week, captaincy really doesn't sit well with him, lost the ball in good positions 3 times in the first half.
Ruthlessness is clearly lacking in front of goal, this is top level football and when you miss 4 one on ones you will struggle to win any semi final regardless of level or opposition. Even hand passes that should be drilled to chest were dropping short/bouncing... these one and two second delays are the difference, its all about the 1 percenters and we aren't sharp enough in this area, Donegal are experts at it, everything goes to hand and shot selection is nearly always inside the zone were you have a much higher chance of scoring.
We done have one single defender we can trust to man mark a danger man. That's a huge worry with McManus to come in 2 weeks time. I hate to say it as I dislike negative football, but we may need to drop a forward back and double team him, who I don't no.
Not big on kicking management, they pick the team based on what they see etc, just on the changes I thought Vernon got 5 mins too long on the pitch and Nugent should have been given to half time. He had to pass that goal chance to Andy for a simple punch to the net.
I could go on but.....
Positives;
Campbell was great, Grugan had a bit of aggression and its more game time in the legs for Andy/Burns. That can only be a good thing
Donaghy will come back in refreshed, and Burns will be ready next day
Fair play to Morgan, lot of haters on here but had a very good game yesterday, just needs to repeat the dose against Monaghan.
Clarke was superb, carried the fight alone, gliding past men like old, could watch him all day in that form.
Monaghan are at the weakest they have been in about 6 years, we can take them if we get the match ups right. I think if we get on top early they could implode.
Finally well done to Cavan, excellent shooting yesterday and over the two games just come out on top, Donegal will win the final by 6 or more I think however, the difference in pace between how they break and how yesterdays teams break is frightening.
Beat Monaghan and a day later Donegal hammer Cavan, we will all be on here saying it was a blessing in disguise losing yesterday.
Hard to disagree with anything here. Soupy looked to have great energy in the legs and his penetrating runs were great to see, something we nearly need to see a bit more of from around the MF area.
Jarly Og still a bit naive and headless. Runs in to a lot of traffic with the ball and goes to ground then. Made one Hollywood fetch in the second half but didn't contribute otherwise. That being said, he obviously wasn't 100% and is still 21. The media coverage and calls for him to be a captain etc were a bit overwhelming no doubt, particularly after 2 USFC appearances.
Worst game Aidan has played in a long time, decision making was extremely questionable at times. But again, he'll learn from it.
Murnin and Paddy Burns have vital minutes in the legs and if we're to progress this year, they'll be vital. Burns was our standout Corner Back 9 months ago and was lauded as the next Andy Mallon, one average game on Cavan's star man and his thrown on the scrap heap. Some serious rose tinted glasses and short sightedness from some quarters. Having watched The Sunday Game, that last ball seemed to get caught under his feet rather than shying out.
Gutted about yesterday, most people on here should probably sleep on a result before coming on to spout which for the most part is rubbish.
My brief thoughts on the game were the best team won, not a 6 point better team but more like 2 or 3 without ever being in danger.
Negatives;
Forker was poor after such a good game last week, captaincy really doesn't sit well with him, lost the ball in good positions 3 times in the first half.
Ruthlessness is clearly lacking in front of goal, this is top level football and when you miss 4 one on ones you will struggle to win any semi final regardless of level or opposition. Even hand passes that should be drilled to chest were dropping short/bouncing... these one and two second delays are the difference, its all about the 1 percenters and we aren't sharp enough in this area, Donegal are experts at it, everything goes to hand and shot selection is nearly always inside the zone were you have a much higher chance of scoring.
We done have one single defender we can trust to man mark a danger man. That's a huge worry with McManus to come in 2 weeks time. I hate to say it as I dislike negative football, but we may need to drop a forward back and double team him, who I don't no.
Not big on kicking management, they pick the team based on what they see etc, just on the changes I thought Vernon got 5 mins too long on the pitch and Nugent should have been given to half time. He had to pass that goal chance to Andy for a simple punch to the net.
I could go on but.....
Positives;
Campbell was great, Grugan had a bit of aggression and its more game time in the legs for Andy/Burns. That can only be a good thing
Donaghy will come back in refreshed, and Burns will be ready next day
Fair play to Morgan, lot of haters on here but had a very good game yesterday, just needs to repeat the dose against Monaghan.
Clarke was superb, carried the fight alone, gliding past men like old, could watch him all day in that form.
Monaghan are at the weakest they have been in about 6 years, we can take them if we get the match ups right. I think if we get on top early they could implode.
Finally well done to Cavan, excellent shooting yesterday and over the two games just come out on top, Donegal will win the final by 6 or more I think however, the difference in pace between how they break and how yesterdays teams break is frightening.
Beat Monaghan and a day later Donegal hammer Cavan, we will all be on here saying it was a blessing in disguise losing yesterday.
Really good and accurate reflection on yesterday's game.
Aidan Forker had his worst game in an Armagh jersey. Decision making was poor and probably cost us 3 scores. That being said, he'll be hungry the next day which can only be a positive.
Soupy looked very strong, and his penetrating runs caused serious damage. Would like to see a bit more powerful running from around midfield from Half Forwards and Mid Fielders too.
Jarly Og struggled badly and showed naivety at times. Tended to run in to the tackle and get smothered when in possession, ultimately ending up on the deck. Made on Hollywood fetch however. Clearly wasn't right on the day and the media coverage and calls for captaincy for a 21 year old with 2 USFC appearances are a bit premature and probably didn't help mentally.
Great to get key minutes in the legs of Andy Murnin and Paddy Burns. Murnin did show glimpses of what he's capable of with a nice flick down in the 2nd half and will have only improved after yesterday. Burns had an average day when marking Cavan's Star Man. Made some good dispossessions but was gotten the better of on the day. 9 months ago he was our best defenfer and was being lauded as the next Andy Mallon. 1 National League appearance didn't help his cause but it's extremely short sighted to throw him on the scrap heap after one average performance. On The Sunday Game, that ball at the end seems to get caught underfoot and ended in a Cavan score at a vital time, mistakes happen.
Donaghy was a huge loss and his return will be vital, he's a calming influence on the younger lads on the team and his maturity can't be underestimated.
Blaine, like I said yesterday, is struggling. A good lad and trying hard but just finding it difficult. Would be great to have a recognised keeper at 16 even to put some pressure on him at training, without competition for places it definitely leads to a sense of complacency which is good for nobody.
I think we've a good chance against a weather beaten, aging Monaghan team and both players and Management will want this one badly. Keep the Faith.
