Wexford (A)

[culloty82]

It's now approaching seven months since Kerry's last league win, and while scoring hasn't been an issue so far this campaign, pressing home that advantage further certainly has, with the inclination to park the bus only heaping pressure on the defence. Colin Healy stated in his most recent interview that post-match verbals with the Treaty bench distracted him/left him unable to salute the travelling support last week, so will be interesting to see how that dynamic develops, but in any event, he's banned from the Ferrycarrig sideline tomorrow after picking up a red card. The Model County outfit have had a mixed start to the campaign so far, with that resounding win away to Cobh followed by a hefty defeat to Cork and two draws, but Jake Doyle has been in sparkling form, and while Mikey Rowe has yet to open his 2026 account, he remains a clear and present danger. Six points from thirty-six against tomorrow's opposition tells its own story, and while a draw wouldn't do much for our league position, we'd probably take it away from home.

[legendz]

Healy shared his version of events on two topics:
1. “I'm not that kind of person, to not support the supporters”
2. “Sometimes that just happens. You know, you're just trying to see it out and you can get more defensive. It happens. The system that we play is 3-5-2, it drops back into a five very quickly, do you get me? When you are defending the box.
"You look at top teams as well in the Premiership, a lot of teams defend maybe 10 yards outside the box sometimes, they're compact. What we need to be better is that when we do win the ball back we need to keep the ball a lot better.
“Sometimes when we do win it back, we try to look the player forward, but sometimes forward isn't the right pass and we give it away and then we're back in, then back into the back five.”

There are going to be disagreements and fallings out, and differences of opinion. The concession of sloppy goals is frustrating but also the overly defensive shape that either by plan or not has been a feature of the opening games. The management ans senior players have to sort it out. Teahan is definitely a big loss and that is being felt.
Wexford away a tough place to go to look at kick starting the season. They have a good manager in Stephen Elliott who is a former international as well.
If Kerry can turn a corner, they could come out the better after a difficult start. That's the hope anyway.

[listowelceltic]

First time heading to Ferrycarrig Park so looking forward to it. Not sure we'll have many travelling with Cheltenham on.
Anyhow I'm going for a 2 1 win to us to kick-start our season.

[Zico]

The performances are improving - we live in hope!! Thought we looked comfortable for most of the game against a decent side away from home. Other than 15 mins spell at start of 2nd half I think we largely controlled the game or at least played it on our terms. Disappointing to conceded the lead again, but to be fair we got caught out in transition this time rather than sitting back drawing them on to us. Thought our response to conceding was very positive - we kept pressing high, maybe needed more composure on the ball but intent to go forward was clearly there. A win next week could do this team wonders with more attacking options to come in next 2-3 weeks!!

[listowelceltic]

Yea big improvement on recent outings. We restricted Wexford mainly to long range shots.
Still issues with midfield though. Not sure is it the set up or lack of numbers or Bordens fitness but it's a problem area for me.
A point is decent in fairness up there.
3 points badly needed against Harps now.
About 30 travelled last night. Wexford have similar enough home crowds to us. Looked between 5 to 8 hundred.

[legendz]

I thought it was a poor performance. Halwax kept us in it. We were very poor going forward again. I think it was McGrath at one stage trying to hold up the ball in the corner, noone came forward to help him out. He was completely isolated.
For a side that are playing defensively, they fail when they have a lead to hold on to. We need RK back as soon as possible.

[listowelceltic]

Halwax did well but I wouldn't say he kept us in it. Most of his saves were routine.
Agree we were poor going forward. Not creating a whole lot in any game this season. Even Kelliher will struggle for goals till this is addressed.
Thought Cooney was good last night. Hopefully the injury was minor.

[legendz]

Issues in midfield, being poor going forward and not creating a whole lot is frustrating to watch. Thought we badly missed Okwute's pace last night. The positive bit of composure by Palmer was enough to help create the goal. Hopefully it is just growing pains and the current group will gel. Want to be positive. Last night was frustrating. How experienced players can just let a player isolated in the corner without someone making themselves available to help the attack is either poor attitude or a group who are being told to be conservative.

[dansultheman]

After the start we have had, I would have taken a point on the road to a really good wexford side. Another lead let slip, got caught on a counter attack with a good finish. We looked much better and assured for 60 Minutes of that game. Il hold my judgement until the end of the first round. On the plus side, Cooney did well, offered something going forward and popped up late with a great cross from Finn. I make that 3 assists in two games for Finn, great to see. Palmer is more league ready than Koufie and I would be going with him next week vs Finn Harps, he made a big impact when introduced and he compliments Murphy up top with the pressing workrate. When we went 1-0 up we didn't sit deep, we pressed after conceding which is quite the contrast to last week. 5 games in, disappointing results without a doubt. A huge game next week at home to Finn Harps in a game, where if we win, we will go 6th-7th, go unbeaten in 4 and with Kelliher and Cian Bargary to return sooner than later, squad gelling, we are moving in the right direction and not the opposite which many will argue.