Exactly.
He didnāt suggest Flanagan be dropped for the game. Itās entirely reasonable to question whether any player should start or what position they start in, itās called discussion. Also, expressing doubts about how a player will go is not the same as wanting to see them fail. For example, Iām a huge fan of Hickey, he starts every time for me, but I donāt think he is a good full back and I would not play him there. I sincerely hope he proves me wrong.
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Itās more glaringly obvious to say that Flanagan canāt do what Dowling can
Which is?
Ffs sake
Ate seven snack boxes
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See I think thatās the problem again; youāre talking about what they can do as individuals, whereas heās talking about the role that we have been asking our full-forward to do to further the team.
Itās not the same thing.
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Flanagan allows us switch seamlessly from a two man full forward line if needed. His ability to win long diagonal balls and pace to turn and run at defenders are what makes him so key to the system.
Sorry mate, my tongue was halfway into my cheek in fairness
No idea how to pull a latte to be honest.
I never said he said he wanted Flanagan dropped. Read my post and the earlier original one properly.
You were saying something about wanting Flanagan to fail to get Dowling back in. I donāt think anyone wants that.
Itās more a belief that Dowling should be in there instead of him as opposed to hoping heād fail. Talking to lads around the county thatās the feeling. I disagree with it as it ignores what Flanagan adds to the team and concentrates on the players individual strengths
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But sure thatās what half of sports discussion is about. Ronaldo or Messi? Theyāre different. Both brilliant. You can take either view. Itās not wrong.
Oh everyone is entitled to their view. But not one person advocating for Dowling to eventually be placed at 14 has acknowledged it fundamentally changes the style of play. Dowling canāt play the role. So you can have Dowling at 14 alright but donāt be surprised if the forward line doesnāt look as threatening or turns over the same amount of ball, creates space for each other, has the same work ethic, etc
When will the team be announced? Thursday or Friday I assume?
Of course they are different players. Dowling is an excellent provider for players around him but he isnāt one for turning and running at defences which is a massive strength of Flanagan. Dowling played wing forward all last year so to say he canāt move out to leave a two man full forward line for a period is silly. Sure weāll see how they get on. In fairness, Flanagan couldnāt get a handier introduction than having Barry marking him 
I think the build up to the goal we scored in the Dublin league game showed what Flanagan brings to the party. Heās out in front, turns the defender, burns him, creates havoc for the other backs and then lays off the pass (think he laid it off to Murphy who was fouled for the penalty which was subsequently buried by Gillane).
The one thing defenders hate is pure pace. Flanagan starts on merit for me. Still only a young lad so Iām not going to slaughter him if it doesnāt happen for him against Tipp. I think heād fare up better against Barry and pose more problems due to his athleticism.
Against a side like Waterford with all their extra defenders I think Dowling could be a better option when thereās no option but to bypass De Burca and fuck it in long.
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FWIW I can see Dowling coming on when the dust has settled and the game is there to be won and having a huge impact, I just think Flanagan is a better option for the first 50 minutes or so when harassing, work rate, making the diagonal runs he was all league etc are needed more
You neglected to mention the biggest difference between them, which is Flanaganās savage work rate in putting Defenders under pressure and constant movement off the ball, which Dowling simply canāt do. Anyway, hoping Flanagan has a super 50 minutes or so and Shane can come in to see us home then with the impact he can make