Its understandable that the 'reserve' players didnt look up to it last Sunday. But I think it exposed issues with training as much too. Match sharpness aside, they looked disjointed and in some cases not up to scratch fitness wise. The fitness issue wouldnt have happened in the past but we were shown up similarly in I think as LSC final or semi-final v St Pats under Stephen Kenny and it was felt even then that the squad wasnt being utilised enough to keep players ready to step up if there was injury.
A good few in the team, like Dummigan wouldnt weaken a starting 11 and if had been fit may have been in instead of Hoare at right back. Patching can play but needs a lot of work by the looks of him. Weakness with Oduwa has been identified and can be sorted. I've never really been convinced by the quality of our youths.U19s coming through but its a big part of FGs plans and tbh where he could be very good with his background and could even be a part of the reasoning for his appointment by the owners. If he can cut it in the managerial position (Keegan has to be a help there early on) along with developing the youth structures then bonus as its needed. I wouldnt be surprised to see a DoF appointed in the off season depending on league and cup performnces and EL to a lesser extent. Fans are fickle creatures but its hard not to like FG and his relaxed and honest demeanour. But then us Dundalk fans talked up VPs honest, no fluff, take on things.
Bit early for transfer talk maybe but the old nugget of getting a pacey front man in. Maybe a keeper but Rogers isnt showing his age really. Hope to hold on to the likes of Duffy. A creative type central mid if others are not showing the can do that but Murray is coming in to being able to pick a pass, run from deep, can shoot from distance and has an engine (1st full 90mins last Thursday). If Flores gets some consistancy, full fitness and drops the inflated opinion of himself after one top goal, he is superb at set pieces and can get himself about - just needs to stop drifiting out of games. Leahy shows his inexperience at times but bags of potential, he had a facinating battle against the FI right winger who was physically bigger. Dan Kelly is still somone to bring on against a tired defence but as a young lads is yards ahead of most at his age. Ganno if he stays will find his form again. Sloggett deputised nicely for Shields, occasionally sloppy and especially for the KI goal but tbh Shields can have the odd moment too. Cleary's development has stalled a bit, he was more assured when he had that feisty streak, wreckless in the challange at times. All in all plenty to work with and no need for a clearout.
Things get stale with little change to a squad or more that the same players of a squad always get a starting nod. This might come back to haunt me but if Dundalk didnt change a single player I still think we'd be closer to Rovers than we have been since the league resumption.