Brendan Devenney has lauded Donegal's new look attacking game plan ahead of their National Football League clash with Tyrone this weekend.
Despite the side having lost three of their four games in Division 1 so far this season, Devenney told Off The Ball's Nathan Murphy that the way the side have been playing recently has been a breath of fresh air compared to how they set up in recent years, a system he says too many sides are still trying to employ today.
"Part of the credit they're getting is because they're trying to play football the proper way, after seasons of it going down the swannie in terms of it being any kind of entertainment".
"Donegal have ripped up the counter attack blanket and they're going for it. It's a work in progress, not only are they changing the style of play but they have a lot of inexperienced players so there's a lot of things working against them in games, but they're trying to play the game properly".
The former Donegal full forward claimed to have lost touch with the game somewhat due to the negative nature of how teams set up, but is now excited to see the talent on display now that players are being let off the leash and have been encouraged to attack.
"I'm very positive about the sport now, after years and years of it getting worse. I love all the fun and craic around the sport, but I'd be coming home to the woman saying 'come on, we'll head in the North and watch a game cricket or something, or some other muck like that".
"I was despairing with what we were seeing with our game, and the tactics were ruining football. Not only was it tactics, but we were conditioning our players to be robots and fall into system and work hard".
"You go to see county players to see their class, to see them open up and show you their ability. That's why they're county players, that's what they're supposed to do".
Devenney went on to criticise his county's opponents this week, as he feels Tyrone are stuck in an outdated, defensive system that he believes needs to change if they want to have a chance of competing with the top sides.
"I just can't understand that they don't realise for this Tyrone team to take the next step they have to become an attacking force. I saw them against Monaghan, playing that same old system which as we know when they get to Croke Park isn't going to work against the big teams.
"I can't see where they're going with these tactics, and the quicker they change and start to become an attacking first the better for them as players I think, and the better for the people watching the game, Tyrone fans included".
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