Should Pillar drop Christie?

damienom

Great player but clearly isn't fit and up to speed, still doubts over his groin for Saturday.

I reckon Pillar should just bite the bullet and drop him for this one, Dublin defence was all over the shop last day out, can't afford to be carrying a player or changing everything with substitutions when we could have started a fit 15

dcr22B

Well he's starting with the same 15 but I have my doubts as well about Christie and hope that if things start going wrong that Pillar will make the changes better and earlier than the first game.

damienom

Suppose that's the biggest problem for any team, how to drop your captain

The Rooster

I think Paddy would be more suited to Stephen O'Neill's catch and kick it style rather than Mulligan who's very pacey and unpredictable. Christie marked O'Neill out of it completely in Omagh in the league game this year (when Mulligan caused a lot or problems to our corner backs) and I thought Pillar might have acted a tad prematurely when taking Paddy off O'Neill after just one ball, when O'Neill scored a superb point with his wrong foot from a tight angle (some points are undefendable). Of course perhaps O'Neill would have run riot had Christie been on him the whole game, but we'll never know.

Another thing is, at the end of the game everyone was saying how well Mulligan played, including me. But in retrospect has the wonder goal embellished his performance? That was the only score he got other than a tap-over free from 13 metres. I havent seen the game in video since, so I dont know the answer to that.

At the end of the day I think Paddy deserves another chance, and as I said I'd put him on O'Neill rather than Mulligan. But if it doesnt work out, Peadar is on the bench and he's done a decent job everytime he's come on this year so an alternative is there and I dont think it'd cause any disruption to Dublin.

damienom

Rooster I'm not making a comment on his ability, I agree he's class but he's by no means fit which is a liability.

On his day he's one of our finest defenders but I'm afraid that he'll be skinned because he's off the pace. I'd rather see him make a change in the first 15 rather than have to bring Andrews in at some point and change things around?

Maybe bring Cullen into the backs, stick Senan Connell in to the forwards and move Cahill back to the full back line? That suggestion awaits your criticisms.........

Culchie

damienom wrote:

Maybe bring Cullen into the backs, stick Senan Connell in to the forwards and move Cahill back to the full back line? That suggestion awaits your criticisms.........

So make 3 changes instead of one ... a la John Maughan ?? ...I don't think so.

If there is to be a change, it should be one direct replacement.

As The Rooster said, he should be able to match O'Neill for pace. I'm sure he would have been taking it easy the last two weeks anyway, and can't see the Dublin Management taking a chance if he has not satisfied them regarding his fitness.

I've a feeling Mulligan could be one to watch on Saturday as well.

I also think you will be taking a negative step by bringing Cullen into the backs, he has been a driving force this season ... a key success factor through his forward leadership.

damienom

Think Cullen would tighten things up in the backs and catch alot of ball

Some of the defending and marking the last day was dreadful

Culchie

Dublin need to attack Tyrone with everything they have to win this game, and play to their strengths.

Cullen is been pivotal in their advances this year ...why change?

The Rooster

Its a tight call re Paddy and we won't know what the right answer is until Saturday afternoon. As Culchie said another thing in Paddy's favour is that he's had another two weeks recovery time to get over his injury.

I agree that Cullen would solidify the backs, but I think we need him more in the forwards. Senan's been one of my favourite players in recent years and I was surprised and disappointed he didnt make the team at for the championship. However, he's been less than impressive in his substitute appearances, so I wouldnt pick him against Tyrone.

Lemlin

Dublin's most consistent performer over the last few years, he struggled against Tyrone though with he's injury.

If he's not fit, he has to be dropped. He may be influential but the Tyrone forwards take no prisoners.

Flukey

His fitness is in doubt, but I suppose there is some sort of confidence in it if they are starting him. If he isn't up to the pace he'll be off fairly early I would think. It'll be one to keep an eye on.