Éamonn Fitzmaurice on football: How much of the outside noise should the manager listen to?

Constantly reacting to outside ideas results in chaos and confusion, the opposite of what you are trying to achieve in a high performance setup. However, football analysis has really moved on

Dublin manager Ger Brennan arrives before the NFL clash with Mayo in Castlebar. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

AFTER Round 3 of the National Football League, things generally start to take shape, at both ends of the four tables. This weekend we have a couple of matches where both teams sit on 100% records, with a pressing Donegal hosting a kicking Mayo, and Down playing Westmeath in Division 3. 

Something has to give in both but the need will be greater for the winless teams where Dublin take on Monaghan, Fermanagh play Clare in Division 3 and Antrim host Longford in Division 4.