O'Brien: Kildare are clueless and out of touch

Turlough O'Brien. ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Former Carlow manager Turlough O'Brien says Kildare are "not in tune with the modern game" after the Lilywhites slumped to third defeat in Division 2 - a 14-point trouncing by Armagh.

A turbulent period for Kildare boss Glenn Ryan got worse with a tense exchange with local journalists following the defeat.

Stories about the perceived lukewarm support for Ryan and his backroom team from county chairman Mick Gorman have dominated headlines this week.

Sticking to the on-field disappointments, O'Brien told Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 that Kildare looked 'clueless' during the loss at Netwatch Cullen Park. 

"I just don't think they are in tune with the modern game. It is killing them. They are so naive. They were 12 points down and still leaving three or four Armagh men unmarked and playing the ball across their own '65.

"Kildare were very, very disappointing. The second-half performance was the worst I've seen from Kildare in a long time.

"They were not being outfought but they were being out-thought. Armagh were much smarter, much more organised, know exactly what they are about.

"From dead balls and open play, Kildare were at sixes and sevens. They couldn’t handle it. Armagh were much more physical in the contact, turning them over quite a lot. Kildare were naive. Naivety is what is killing them.

"They are a little bit clueless on the pitch. Kildare huffed and puffed and took the ball into traffic. They tried to go around outside and were not penetrating at all. They are a very one-dimensional team. They have to change it up because it seems they only have a 'Plan A'."

However, O’Brien still feels the county must stick by Ryan and removing him from the job now would be rash. 

"It would be a bit drastic. Kildare are not relegated yet. There are four more games to go. They have got to suck it up and get it right.  

"I think the county board chairman would be better to be supporting the team management and see what they could do to help. There is obviously something missing in the set-up that other teams have because Kildare definitely have the players."