North of 32 wrote: » I thought Donegal defended quite well in spells and Dublin found it difficult. I think Dublin even looked nervous. They were the better team, no question, but it's nonsense to say that Dublin were ''playing in 2nd gear''. The implication that Dublin could have suddenly just flicked a switch and racked up a big score is arrogant in the extreme. No one will beat Dublin with a conversion rate below 50%. Patton's kickouts were poor but that was not deliberate. What really annoyed me was Donegal continually shooting from distance and it looked like it was their actual game plan. Shooting from distance is not a game-winning strategy. It's ridiculous. They did not show any courage to penetrate Dublin's defence and really go at their goal despite being well capable of it. Yes, Dublin defended well but so will all teams at this stage of the year. You've got to back yourself and not hit a potshot from 45m. I was hoping that as Ulster champions Donegal would show Dublin less respect. Dublin were nervous but Donegal were shy. Players like Cluxton and Fenton will always be capable of doing enough.
babybuilder wrote: » North of 32 wrote: » I thought Donegal defended quite well in spells and Dublin found it difficult. I think Dublin even looked nervous. They were the better team, no question, but it's nonsense to say that Dublin were ''playing in 2nd gear''. The implication that Dublin could have suddenly just flicked a switch and racked up a big score is arrogant in the extreme. No one will beat Dublin with a conversion rate below 50%. Patton's kickouts were poor but that was not deliberate. What really annoyed me was Donegal continually shooting from distance and it looked like it was their actual game plan. Shooting from distance is not a game-winning strategy. It's ridiculous. They did not show any courage to penetrate Dublin's defence and really go at their goal despite being well capable of it. Yes, Dublin defended well but so will all teams at this stage of the year. You've got to back yourself and not hit a potshot from 45m. I was hoping that as Ulster champions Donegal would show Dublin less respect. Dublin were nervous but Donegal were shy. Players like Cluxton and Fenton will always be capable of doing enough. No one suggested that Patten kicking out to un marked Dublin was"deliberate". ðŸ™.
North of 32 wrote: » I know. I'm just saying that Patton had an off day, which happens. I wouldn't hold one poor game against him (though he made some fine saves). However, what I cannot forgive is the strategy of kicking from distance repeatedly.
Solomon Pleasant wrote: » Very left field theory here but I’ll voice it regardless. Is there any chance that Donegal deliberately didn’t play to the maximum of their abilities? Dublin are the best team in the country. If Donegal want to win Sam they’ll have to beat them at least once. The issue is that if you beat Dublin once, it’s very unlikely to happen again (especially twice in one season). Let’s say Donegal roll out the works against Dublin last night and somehow manage to win. Jim Gavin then knows exactly what to expect come a semi final or final against Donegal. So is it possible that tactics were slightly altered against Dublin to reduce effectiveness with a possible rematch with Dublin later on in mind? Probably not, but it was a strategy used by McGuinness when they met teams in the league.
jjdonegal wrote: » Zero chance. By losing yesterday we effectively lost control of our own destiny. Tyrone win next wknd and we are done for as we are not overturning that points deficit. Dublin looked like they were in 2nd gear with 2/3 bursts to 4th/5th when needed. Reality is they are 8-10 points better than us. Worried about next wknd as our away record for the last decade or so has been very poor. We need Dublin to beat Tyrone and hope we get a point minimum.
charlie14 wrote: » Beat Roscommon and even if Tyrone beat Dublin, if we beat Tyrone afaik we would go through on the head to head rule. Beat Roscommon and it is in our own hands at home to qualify if I am correct
jjdonegal wrote: » My bad. Was told it was different for Super 8s and it was points difference for all scenarios. Good to know we have full control of it ourselves.
charlie14 wrote: » Sorry to say JJ it doesn`t appear we have. League rules so only applicable with two teams on the same points. Tyrone beat Dublin and there would be three on the same if we beat Roscommon and Tyrone. It would then go to points difference.
jjdonegal wrote: » Yep. We need to win our two and hope Dublin beat Tyrone and Roscommom.
Donegalroyal wrote: » Ultimately the kick outs decided the game, Dublin won 33, Donegal 17 of the 50 kickouts. A hard learning curve for the whole team not just Patton. Sunday game analysis was very good, where they showed Dublin not going man to man, but marking zones almost daring Patton to kick it to a spare man, but, in the time ball was in air, Dublin player was attacking it against our man standing waiting for it. Hope to see Murphy stationed at full forward on Saturday evening after seeing the demolition job Richie Donnelly did on Roscommon full back line. He was the focal point of most attacks. Need runners from half forward as well so maybe cian Mulligan and Ryan McHugh both in half forward line. Is Nathan Mullins fit? Could be a good attacking midfield option instead of Murphy for Saturday.
Donegalroyal wrote: Is Nathan Mullins fit? Could be a good attacking midfield option instead of Murphy for Saturday.
Redsoxfan wrote: » When I give out about kick outs, it's as much about our outfield players as the keeper. He needs to execute, they need to work. Patton made some mistakes on Saturday, complete miscues, but otherwise he made some decent kicks thst Dublin players worked hard to win. That's on the outfielders. Cluxton gets plenty of plaudits, and he deserves it, but anytime I have really watched Dublin, ie when they are not playing us, I have been amazed at the movement and workrate of the outfield players. I'm generally really happy with Patton. He has had a very good first season and has shown plenty to build on for next year. Saturday was always going to be tough and I'm very hopeful he shows up well in the next few games. If, and it's a massive if, we end up playing Dublin again this year, we will have to think of something to secure more possession. Pace of getting the ball away is probably a good place to start. I doubt Roscommon will offer anything like the kind of challenge we faced on Saturday, but I think we need to improve. Not sure how much we can given we lack even one top class midfielder. Will rely on smart and fast movement to get in space and then a good kick. Aidan O'Rourke has a good piece analysing Throne on RTE website. Spells out their tactic on opposition kick outs. Worth a read ahead of the August Bank Holiday.
Redsoxfan wrote: » Considering he wasn't even in the squad on Saturday, I very much doubt we will see him again this year. If McElhinney was fit, would nearly throw him in. But I also think the idea that we will see Michael in around the square for any extended period of time on Saturday is delusional, no matter how much more it now makes sense given the injury to Paddy, and yes, the way Richard Donnelly had his way with Roscommon last weekend. For whatever reason, for some time now, he has a free role, one where he spends most of his time outside the opposition 45. Sometimes, this works well. Others, you really wonder what is going on.
