NFL Build up:A look at Down

Down are sitting pretty with 3 points after 2 games. We, on the other hand only have 1. how do we get more? Easy! we take them off Down.


Down Traits 

Its the first of the relegated teams from last season we face and they still posses those Division 1 traits.

They finished strong. In both their games so far they gained their points with late surges....
First point gained was a comeback at home to Monaghan when they were 7 points down in the second half and they did what we couldn't beat Armagh, but it was only after a late goal and point in injury time.

This tell me that their division 1 conditioning and experience over the years is standing to them and Like all other games we've played this year it will go the 70th plus minute.

They also posses a strong bench to make an impact late in games as well as that they have a strong panel considering none of these players have featured for them so far...

Missing in Action
Dan Gordon, 
Ambrose Rogers, 
Brendan McVeigh,Peter Fitzpatrick,

Conor Laverty,
Kalum King,
and
Benny Coulter (who only played a few minutes as a late sub v Armagh.)

  
However, These lads are beatable

here's how...  

Curb their Danger Men

 

Mark Poland left is their play maker and instrumental to the Down forward line. Stop him and they stop functioning. Paddy Reilly at centre back for us is too green for him, thats not a slight on Paddy as majority of experienced defenders are too green for Poland!!
A fit JOB should do the trick and if not, then Gerry Hoey just goes on the tour of Newry with Poland for the evening.
Donal O'Hare right is their top scorer he is deadly accurate from free's and a real handful from open play. Pop is our number 1 inside man marker proved it so far this season already.

Area's to Exploit 

1. Muddled Midfield
Down have used 3 midfielders so far.
Kevin McKernan Ryan Mallon neither natural midfielders and recalled Gary McArdle who was subbed off in the opening game and hasn't featured since.
while 
Dan Gordon, Kalum King and Ambrose Rogers are still unavailable
and 
Peter Fitzpatrick since his return from Oz has made minimal impact. 

We need to dominate this area of weakness Down possess. 

They will more than likely start with McKernan and Mallon in the middle on Saturday night and what they lack in the air they make up for in mobility. They get through a serious amount of work and can pop up with a point or two.
Our extra defender (Crilly) will be earmarked with this duty of picking up their forward runs and allow PK and Donnelly the sole responsibility of winning clean possession, which they should do on height advantage alone.

This advantage will give us possession and then a foothold in the game.


2. Paceless Defence 





















I'm pretty certain any one of the 6 louth forwards isolated with Dan McCartan(above) will do him for pace. I think I would even do him for pace! We need to be aware of his match up at all times going forward. Dream scenario would be Derek Maguire. 

Down have never been known for their Defence and Saturday night will be no different by default they seem to have resorted back in to time to the selection of their halfback line and the overall look of their backs it seems a disjointed unit in general. Hopefully we can make hay in there.

Summary

So, there you have it, plenty of food for thought there.

Hopefully I've given the most pessimistic Louth fan reasons for hope and, when you are staring down the barrel of a relegation gun, Hope is a powerful thing!



Thanks for reading 

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more to come tomorrow when i name my team!