NFL Build UP: Down Match Preview

 DOWN Vs LOUTH  7pm Pairc Esler
 
The Break 

The team who used the break the wisest will win and for us the break came at the perfect time.

On the back of two poor performances against armagh and Laois at home we needed it badly. we all did, especially AOR who was actually experiencing a backlash from the fans.

Hopefully the break has allowed AOR to regroup and refocus his troops. Get amongst the panel and draw a line in the sand and where better to start afresh than away from home against a team he formerly worked with.

We know AOR prepares his teams ultra well,the extra time and extra information he'll have on Down will help him make decision during the game and that gives me great confidence for tonight.


The game
Is it just me or does this game feel like final? The fact we are desperate for points let alone a win, makes it feel like at worst, a knockout game.Hopefully that bit of fear will give us an edge on the night. 

The shackles are off, we are away from home and not expected to get anything from tonight, no pressure. Hopefully we can hone that freedom to fuel intensity into our performance.

Along with the hunger we need to be well set up, AOR has reflected on our first two games and has taken action. 

Written all over his team selection.
 
The Bevan Duffy call is a brave one, Whether Donnelly is injured or not AOR obviously feels that Keenan needs a more shared workload around the park, Bevan a rugby player up until recently is not shy in that department. What we lose in the air we gain on the ground and that will make us harder to beat. That is not a bad thing considering how easily we've rolled over at crucial times in the past two games.

Down's forward line is packed with flair and industry, they are a Division 1 team going forward any slip ups will be punished. Look out for newcomer Jerome Johnstone's wizard of a Left foot. So our defence needs to be really needs to be on the ball.

To win, we need to at least create goal chances I’ll be surprised if we haven’t worked on this in the break. Alos, no changes in our forward personnel shows AOR trusts them to do damage against Down's defence and that vote of confidence will give our forwards eh, confidence!

Our half forward line specifically has the potential to make serious inroads against their halfback line.

Verdict 
I've been to Newry recently not for some cheap groceries but for the All-Ireland club semi final between Ballinderry and the Vincents in Pairc Esler.
I was so impressed with the set up, the main stand, facilities and the pitch itself second to none. The place itself seemed to inspire players that night and why wouldn't the players want to perform in a top class venue.
Tonight will be no different, big crowd, local derby, under lights it's gonna be special. I can't wait.
I expect us to be inspired tonight, majority of our performances away from Drogheda are really good. (Draw in Portlaoise and win in Armagh last year for example)

We need the points more and I think it will simply come down to that. 

Louth win, by hook or by crook.



Interesting Fact
Former Down Legend Mickey Linden was once offered the Louth managers job in 2005, but alas he turned it down and we got Val Andrews as manager instead!



Things to Expect
-A wave of County ground envy as soon as you reach Pairc Esler.
-Our White Jerseys, surely make their first appearance of the year.
-Decie Byrne not to be taken off, hopefully. 
-Nepotism (Wee James is the manager, his brother Dan is corner back expect the other brother Eoin to come on aswell!)
-AOR not on the touchline but in the stand getting a better viewpoint on his troops.