Tyrone Should Win At Home On Saturday Night.

Friday 11.03.2011

Club

Tyrone come into Saturday night’s game needing to get a positive result. The two points on offer are vital if The Red Hands are not to become embroiled in a relegation dogfight. The signs in the last two games have been very positive with an excellent second half showing against Derry last weekend and a fine display and win over Sligo last time out in the league.

Individually and collectively Tyrone are playing better than the wretched performance against Donegal in Omagh a few weeks ago. Sean Cavanagh, Brian Mc Guigan and Kevin Hughes are all playing well on the front foot but defensively Tyrone still look vulnerable. They lack a real quality man marker with pace and aggression capable of dealing with a player of Paddy Bradley’s vision and movement. Should Tyrone unearth a defender of that quality during the league then many of the defensive shortcomings thus far evident in the campaign could be overcome.

As it stands they face an Antrim side brimming with confidence following their very convincing win over Meath last time out who will come to Omagh thinking that the home side look vulnerable. Baker Bradley will be reminding his players that Tyrone have not done well under lights on the past few Saturday nights and if they can get in among them and compete with aggression and commitment they might spring a surprise.

It would be the biggest result of their league campaign so far if Antrim do beat Tyrone but it is not beyond the bounds of possibility. Tyrone do have far more talent and much greater options on the bench but football matches at this time of the year, in the cold and miserable weather, often come down to hunger and passion and Bradley’s men certainly won’t lack in those departments. However I expect Tyrone to come away with the win they need to alleviate any worries about becoming involved in a struggle to avoid relegation but it won’t be easy.