Body language of Donegal players not good in Monaghan defeat - Joyce McMullin

Donegal go to Croke Park on Sunday looking to bridge a gap of 28 years - the last (and only) time they defeated the Dubs in the league at the venue.

It is a tall order for a team that are struggling to find a bit of form and cohesion at the moment.

On Sunday last they lost their 12-year unbeaten record in MacCumhaill Park to Monaghan and former Donegal star, Joyce McMullin, is fearful for them in the upcoming games.

"It was frustrating from no matter way you want to look at it. There was just a lot of negativity in the display.

"The frustration really was, and it happened in the previous matches as well, where we had the wind at our back and we were kicking short and playing across the back. And that's what really drives supporters mad," says McMullin.
However, he also feels they are suffering because of the absence of their bigger players.

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Donegal, despite being All-Ireland champions just two years beforehand, were rank outsiders ahead of the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin. It was to prove Jim McGuinness’s final masterstroke as Donegal manager, as Alan Foley recalls, ahead of Declan Bonner's side's trip to Croke Park on Sunday

"The fact that we don't have ball winners in the half-forward line with Langan, Murphy, McGonagle and big Hugh (McFadden) all out, we don't have the height in that ball-winning area and that's where they are coming from. They don't want to kick it away, but it just seems very, very negative.

"But in saying all that, you don't want to be overly critical, but you would worry for them going forward. They don't look that sharp and Monaghan had it really handy. Until Murphy came on, we were missing some huge playes. (Michael) Langan is a huge loss to us, he is so mobile and gets scores and catches."

McMullin feels that Donegal gave up their great record in Ballybofey very tamely and it is worrying the form they are showing just five weeks out from championship. "Looking at them at the moment, the other Ulster teams would not be too worried."
As for next Sunday, he feels that it will be difficult against Dublin. "They won't have had that one pencilled in for points so the pressure will then come on to beat Armagh in the final game. Can they survive on five points? It probably means help from other results.

"There is a big improvement. I don't like the look of what is going on the pitch. Some of the body language is not good. The younger lads are trying and the O'Donnell lad (Conor) didn't get the space that he had against Tyrone. I felt Brendan McCole did well.

"Five weeks isn't a lot of time but we can get ready for championship. (Michael) Murphy needs to be fit, you would need him at full tilt. They need to get a bit of positivity about the team.

Gallen, Thompson ruled out until Championship

Oisin Gallen and Ciaran Thompson joined Donegal's injury list last Sunday

"I feel the crux of the matter is that when they turn the ball over, they are not able to get forward quick enough, probably because of a mixture of lack of fitness and the heavy ground. And when you don't get it done quick enough, you end up going over and back," who feels that in championship mode they may be able to do that better.

"There's a touch of winter and league football in them. And if we had them in championship mode, we do have decent talent in the forward line," he says.