Nidgeweasel wrote: » Dublin, the greatest side to ever play football to win by 40 points after they unleash the bench (tm) Who by themselves would probably win the all Ireland.
realies wrote: » Nidgeweasel, I'm feeling good about Sunday boys. At the very least I really think our lads are going to give us one hell of a performance. They may not win, but it won't be for want of trying and I believe they will put every single thing they have into this one given the opposition. If it is to be the end, it will be a fitting one. We haven't been given a prayer, JMG will be delighted. Just for those that don't read the Donegal thread :-)
Tombo2001 wrote: » Thats true of every team Dublin have played this year. Average winning margin has been 16 points.
Nidgeweasel wrote: » There is a big difference between playing this Donegal side under McGuinness than playing Laois.
DoctaDee wrote: » It would be nice to see an expansive game from Donegal
DoctaDee wrote: » Laois were the closest to Dublin all year, only 11 points in it and gave them plenty to think about early on. McGuinness' dogma of restricting the other team from scoring in a purely defensive formation will not suffice on Sunday. Under his current system this will be a damage limitation exercise. It would be nice to see an expansive game from Donegal
Nidgeweasel wrote: » That's why I used them as my example. They done quite well against Dublin and we're better. There's an awful amount of guff being bandied about at the minute. There will be no annihilation on Sunday and I fully expect Donegal to equip themselves very we against this Dublin team. Listening to some of the clowns around and in the papers we'd be as not turn up such is the hiding we are in for. A nonsense. On the balance of probabilities Dublin are the more likely victors, it would be churlish to suggest otherwise. That being said, Donegal won't be a stroll in the park for the dubs and should be approached with caution.
Ralphdejones wrote: » Donegal have not met a decent team yet, and McFadden is not capable of scoring many points anymore, even when they get the ball to him, and they can't. Donegal rely on the blanket defence and three/four key players. The rest of their football is exceedingly mediocre. <snip>
Redsoxfan wrote: » Why?
DoctaDee wrote: » Because if they don't commit numbers forward they'll invite Dublin onto them, there's only so long that you can play a game chasing players down. I wouldn't discount a Donegal win, but the balance of probabilities with the respective playing styles of each team would suggest to me that they will struggle to put the scores up. Saying you're better than Laois is not quite understanding the full concept of Laois' strategy. I've no doubt Donegal would put a good few points on Laois, but Laois in fairness set up to attack Dublin, which isn't something that's likely Sunday. They contested all Cluxton kick outs 1st half, left a forward line of Munnelly & Conway with Donie Kingston playing out between the 21 and 45. Weight of numbers eventually told and in hindsight the 11 point deficit and decent performance on the day was to be applauded.
DoctaDee wrote: » Because if they don't commit numbers forward they'll invite Dublin onto them, there's only so long that you can play a game chasing players down. I wouldn't discount a Donegal win, but the balance of probabilities with the respective playing styles of each team would suggest to me that they will struggle to put the scores up.
Redsoxfan wrote: » An expansive game from Donegal might well suit Dublin Equally, if you say that if we will struggle to put scores playing defensively, well then why wouldn't a Dublin supporter want that?
DoctaDee wrote: » If they have to push the panic button and commit big numbers forward they will ship a big score, but if they set out early to place 2-3 players in advanced positions it will still give defensive solidity but with enough manpower to occupy the Dublin back 6 ?
Grudaire wrote: » Donegal will need to improve their attack to have a hope in this game*, their shooting has not been upto scratch, and keeping Dublin to low scores only will work if they can sneak a few in at the other end. It may be horrific to watch, but I'm guessing it'll be close and exciting. * I wouldn't discount the possibility of a mighty ducks style V attacking formation as the new JMcG strategy
RoscommonTom wrote: » Look at what happened last year against the mayos, Donegal can 've totally opened up by a top team