Challenge games

[bula bula]

Does anyone know of anymore challenge games coming up before the Westmeath game?

[Hyper]

I can't see them playing any more games before Saturday fortnight. All they need now is sharpening work and plenty of shooting practice in O Connor Park. They need to take full advantage of the home venue. They should be fully accustomed to the new sized pitch before this game.

[corner back]

new sized pitch

is it longer or wider

[Hyper]

It is something like 10 yards longer and 5 yards wider, not sure of the exact measurements

[Bogman]

Those are significant changes if you're spot on with the measurements.

The increased dimensions should suit Offaly. We'll be looking for space on the pitch and Westmeath will be looking to close the space down using their 13 men behind the ball Space-Eating tactics.

I think a bigger and wider pitch will be good for Offaly football going forward, and also for getting attractive outside fixtures. It should make the pitch more suitable for Hurling, particularly.

[MF35]

Where did they get the extra 10 yards in the length? Did they eat into the terrace space at either end?

[Bord na Mona man]

The increased dimensions should suit Offaly. We'll be looking for space on the pitch and Westmeath will be looking to close the space down using their 13 men behind the ball Space-Eating tactics.

Good point.
Westmeath rely on being ultra defensive and getting players behind the ball.
They tend to pull back a couple of extra players into their half back line to crowd.
Something like an 8 points to 7 win would have been their aim given the lack of quality forwards.

If Offaly use the space well and play a kicking game supplying Deehan and McNamee, then it should yield scores.
If Offaly play the cumbersome handpassing game of earlier in the year, it will spell big trouble.
Luckily in recent weeks there has been a switch back towards the more successful direct game.

[Hyper]

The terrace is gone behind the goals at the Arden Road end

[Muck Savage]

The increased dimensions should suit Offaly. We'll be looking for space on the pitch and Westmeath will be looking to close the space down using their 13 men behind the ball Space-Eating tactics.

Good point.
Westmeath rely on being ultra defensive and getting players behind the ball.
They tend to pull back a couple of extra players into their half back line to crowd.
Something like an 8 points to 7 win would have been their aim given the lack of quality forwards.

If Offaly use the space well and play a kicking game supplying Deehan and McNamee, then it should yield scores.
If Offaly play the cumbersome handpassing game of earlier in the year, it will spell big trouble.
Luckily in recent weeks there has been a switch back towards the more successful direct game.

Don't think the extra lenght of the pitch will make a bit of difference, they'll still put 12 lads in that 40 yard space from their own goal. If the pitch was 500 yards long they'd still crowd that 40 yard space and carry the ball out the field. It will mean that there will be a lot more space in front to Glennon and Dolan to run into when the ball is played forward. We'll need to stick one lad in front of that space to try cut the supply out and get fast ball back down the field, almost counter attacking football. The width may make a difference to us as we can try streach them out to create a little bit more space. 5 yards is not a lot however.

[Bord na Mona man]

Length could make a difference if Westmeath are trying to funnel back after an attack.
They have a few extra metres to travel to set up their defensive wall.
It is a small matter, but over 70 minutes it might make a difference.

The bigger difference is that it gives Offaly middle 8 players slightly more room to play an accurate ball into the danger zone. On a short pitch, you have less time to look up and play the ball you want, if there are opponents compacted on top of you.
The wider pitch also means that kick passes won't go out over the touchline as easily.

This won't benefit Westmeath as much as they don't kick as often. Their game plan is usually to carry the ball to Dessie at centre forward and allow him to distribute.
This is all providing Offaly don't revert back to the short passing game of earlier in the year. Otherwise it'll be an afternoon of Offaly players passing from sideline to sideline until eventually being dispossessed.

[Barracuda]

Jeepers I hope the Westmeath lads dont read this site- they will know our game plan..............

[DD]

From what I've heard, following a players meeting with Roe about a month ago there was a decision made to change completely from the tactics used during the league.
Basically the players at 10 & 12 (likely to be McManus & Slattery) will be asked to drop behind their own midfield with the objective of denying Westmeath any space in our half so Glennon, Dolan et al won't be able to expose the lack of pace in our backline.
I suppose it's also a recognition that to have any hope of breaking even at midfield we will be be looking to spoil any clean fielding and mop up the breaks. We'll only have 4 out and out forwards with Niall and Deehan on the inside line and Paschal and one other (Reynolds?) as half forwards and the aim is to get the ball in long and direct as opposed to the ridiculous handpassing we seen during the league.
The quality and quick delivery of the ball is obviously going to be vital but Wesmeath are bound to counteract any effort to isolate 2 of their full back line so we'll be relying on Niall and Paschal in particular to win plenty of 50/50 ball.
Now how all this going to pan out if Wesmeath drop as many players back as we plan to do I have no idea but it isn't going to be a pretty I'd imagine..