I wrote yesterday that I expected to see changes for Saturday's game against Mayo, and also intimated that Damian Cassidy must start doing more to get Derry's forward division working as a unit when Paddy and Eoin Bradley are on the field.
Nothing new there really, but the team selection for the Mayo game seems to indicate that Cassidy is indeed actively seeking ways to shake things up in the forward line.
First things first. Paddy Bradley at centre-half forward? I seem to remember a few games in the past - in the Paddy Crozier era - when Bradley was utilised on the '40. The Monaghan qualifier in 2008 springs to mind. It didn't really work that day because of Derry's failure in possession further out the field. But Cassidy clearly seems to think that an inside line of Eoin Bradley and Lee Moore (fresh from U21 duty and in for his first start) will benefit from the extra space provided by the deeper utilisation of Paddy. Bradley is an out-and-out scorer so how he fares in this role remains to be seen, but it's worth a try. He can win his own ball, and will run at the defence. I just hope that Cassidy persists with this idea for the whole of the game - despite how well it's working - as game practice is required to see if this type of tactic has legs.
Next. Fergal Doherty at wing half-forward? Now this is new one (although we have seen him deployed at full-forward before!). In Cassidy's regime, the wing forwards have often been the most important men within his system of play. They provide the outlet from defence as well as creating overlaps higher up the pitch. Cassidy has tried a host of players in these positions; some have done well, others haven't. Last year's Ulster Semi against Tyrone was probably the day Cassidy realised that you just can't play anyone at wing forward. Enda Lynn and Eoin Brown struggled throughout. So, we can assume that Fergal Doherty will be tried at wing-forward as opposed to being a third midfielder wearing number 10. Doherty is strong on the ball and is a direct runner, but it will be odd to see him out of midfield (if he manages to stay out of it!). I'm not convinced he is suited to this position, but now is the time to find out.
James Kielt will start at midfield, and will have more responsibility here with Doherty tried on the wing. Lee Moore cam on as a sub against Dublin, but Saturday night is his first real chance to impress in a senior jersey. Aidy McLaughlin, who has already impressed in the league thus far, retains his left-half-forward berth.
It's good to see Derry are trying out a few new things in this game. It's proper experimentation really with experienced players playing new roles, rather than throwing in a new guy at half-forward and hoping for the best. Perhaps there is a confidence in the ranks stemming from the U21 game, and that may have relaxed Cassidy into picking a new-look side.
The only negative is that Derry appear to be weakened on the bench - in the forwards at least. With Eoghan Brown the only recognised scoring forward in the substitutes.
Defensively, Derry will remain the same, with Kevin McCloy starting at full-back. He will likely be tasked with marking Mayo's Aidan O'Shea, while McGoldrick and McBride will hope to pick up from their decent showing in Kerry at corner-back.
Mayo already have four points on the board in Division 1, so most of the pressure will be on Derry on Saturday night. The westerners will be without the striking option of Mark Ronaldson - who helped put Tyrone to the sword a month ago - so they may be light up-front. This was certainly a problem that blighted their defeat to Dublin last weekend.
It all points to a Derry victory. The Oakleafers give little away on home soil, and it's arguably the strongest team Cassidy has picked this year. I expect Derry to win this with a few points to spare (and would be dissapointed with anything less), whilst picking up a couple of much-needed NFL points.
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