Would you start a half fit player?

I think it's fair to say that Ross Carr's decision to start Benny Coulter yesterday backfired in a big way. Obviosuly it wasnt the only factor that contributed to their defeat but it was a strange tactic to continually lump high balls into a guy who wasnt anywhere near fit - granted he did score probably the best point in the match - but his contribution to the game was undoutedly restricted by his reluctance and perhaps inability to run at full tilt for balls.

It begs the question do you take a risk with a half fit player - do you start them or do you hold them back and only use them in an emergency - i know one thing Mickey Harte wouldnt have taken the risk.

I agree Bocerty but Micky H has a lot more options than Ross Carr. Coulter is just so important to Down - both from a playing and morale point of view. He probably had to chance it - and it didn't work. If he didn't play him or gave him a half and they lost he'd have been hammered for it too.

I found it strange near the end when they won a free to drop into the square and they needed a goal - who was taking it ?? Dan Gordon!!

Didn't wexford start forde last year half fit? No?

Against armagh and he cleaned francie on one leg?
Similar situation

Granted Tyrone perhaps have a few more options than Down but their tactics didnt seem to take into consideration the fact he had a hamstring injury - it required quite a bit of sprinting on Benny's behalf to even attempt to get out in front of the man which is not what you want with a hamstring injury - i would have thought a few low balls into the speedy full forward from time to time would have kept the Fermanagh boys on their toes.

Johnno again your right about Wexford and Forde - i suppose a lot depends on the nature of the injury and how much it can restrict a player.

Regarding Ross Carr seen the story about him on the back of the Irish News today refusing to shave Mc Graths hand because he made it look like Aidan Carr hit him opposed to pushing him, in my opinion pushing someone hard in the back of the head is just as bad and also warrants a red car. Carr needs to catch himself on and stop throwing the dummy out.

NiamhDerry wrote:Regarding Ross Carr seen the story about him on the back of the Irish News today refusing to shave Mc Graths hand

He was in enough of a lather ...........

Seen that alright Niamh - that it was a bit of a childish resposne i don't think Mc grath made any great effort to get Carr sent off - granted he went 'Down' but he got straight back up again.

Ross has really gone down in my estimation over the last number of months...

Carr deserved the red card. you can't push someone with a closed fist in the back of the head just because your frustrated and expect to get away with it. we all get frustrated when our team is losing but that is no reason to attempt to take out another player. McGrath got straight back up again and never even attempted to get Carr sent off so for his father to refuse to shake his hand on those grounds just stinks of bad sportsmanship!

I had to work so was listening to it on the radio I though I head alot of booing, can anyone conform deny this?

watching it on TV there seemed to be a lot of booing towards the referee from the Down supporters but if you see the highlights of the game then you will see that he deserved the red card. it was a completely unprovoked attack on McGrath.

Down fans never are happy when a player of theirs gets sent off and can never admit that it was the right decision. i know many of us find it hard to admit when a player from our own county gets sent off but surely we can all admit when a player deserves to be red carded

bocerty wrote:I think it's fair to say that Ross Carr's decision to start Benny Coulter yesterday backfired in a big way. Obviosuly it wasnt the only factor that contributed to their defeat but it was a strange tactic to continually lump high balls into a guy who wasnt anywhere near fit - granted he did score probably the best point in the match - but his contribution to the game was undoutedly restricted by his reluctance and perhaps inability to run at full tilt for balls.

It begs the question do you take a risk with a half fit player - do you start them or do you hold them back and only use them in an emergency - i know one thing Mickey Harte wouldnt have taken the risk.

Most definitly the wrong decision. Its not saying a whole lot for Downs other forwards if they have to start with a half banjaxed player. Hardly good for their morale. Does Carr really think that you can throw players who are not fully fit into the heat of championship battle??
Fermanagh arguably unlucky not to be the reining Ulster champions! A serious mis-judgement on Carrs part I thought, and not his only one yesterday going on reports.

NiamhDerry wrote:I had to work so was listening to it on the radio I though I head alot of booing, can anyone conform deny this?

Maybe the booing was coming from your workplace ...... were you serving dodgy drink again?

I expected alot more from Down especially since Paddy Tally has been working with them this year, even in terms of fitness Fermanagh were streets ahead of them. Makes you wonder if there were problems in the Down camp in the lead up to the match................

bocerty wrote:I expected alot more from Down especially since Paddy Tally has been working with them this year, even in terms of fitness Fermanagh were streets ahead of them. Makes you wonder if there were problems in the Down camp in the lead up to the match................

I dunno but I'm sure there was tension in the Carr household last night!

Yeah their fitness wasn't great - it just doesn't Tally!

And I wouldn't be buying a new motor anywhere in Down - they seem to have nothing but Carr trouble ...

They should break the bank and bring back Marty!!

Aw christ JC get your coat and get of here for that Carr joke!!

Looking back on the game there, have to say was very disappointed in Downs performance. Expected Fermanagh to be gritty and tough and indeed they were but thought the progress (seemingly) made by Down would see them through.The game resembled the living embodiment of the old chestnut ''typically dour Ulster championship fare".
Difficult to see Down making much impact at all now this year. Time to ditch Carr and bring back the only man for the job up there in Down, the great Pete McGrath. With him back calling the shots Down would be back at their rightful place at the summit of Ulster football and would be contesting all-Ireland finals again in no time-Guaranteed.

mossbags interesting comment about bringing back Mc Grath -

do you really think Mc Grath would make much of a difference?
do you think the raw materials are there to make a decent team?


Carr has made little or no impact at all there but i wonder is it management style or is a lack of commitment on the players behalf. Certainly yesterday they didnt look like a 'team'.

Wouldn't be too certain of the talent or lack of it up there in Down Bo( thinking there must be a bit considering they beat Tyrone last year) but would be most certain that McGrath would get the best out of whatever was there which is something I think Carr is patently failing to do. Wasn't Pete in charge of their U-21s who were so unlucky??Clearly theres a good bit of raw materials to be building from.
He'd also get them playing a much better brand of football I believe Bo, the schlop served up by Down yesterday was an insult to their tradition

I think the loss to Tipperary in the division 3 final was a sign of things to come for Down this year. I really thought they were going to do well this year and maybe make the quarter finals. I think its unlikely thats going to happen now. They went from beating Tyrone last year to losing their first match of the Ulster championship.