Dublin legend Diarmuid Connolly admits the Blues’ poor start to the new season is a real cause for concern.
Dessie Farrell’s side, who relinquished their All-Ireland crown at the semi-final stage to Mayo last year after the historic six-in-a-row, have lost both Allianz League games to date.
Armagh were too strong on the opening night for a transitional Dublin team and, after a bright start in Kerry, they fell apart and shipped a heavy defeat.
Mayo travel to Croke Park on Saturday night with Farrell and Dublin currently in the relegation places.
“Dublin are in an awkward position because they have a lot of injuries and they don’t have the full personnel to pick from,” Connolly told Boylesports.
“Armagh hit the ground running in their first game and Dublin were a bit slow out of the blocks. Kerry were a different animal. Going down to Tralelee is always difficult.
“I know Dublin haven’t got a result in their first two games and they have now lost their last three competitive games and it’s a little bit of a worry for me.
“Dessie Farrell is building a squad there and he knows what he has in the senior guys but he doesn’t know what he has in the guys coming in on the panel maybe this year or last year. He is going to be feeling those guys out I’d imagine.
“Dublin aren’t going to win any games by leaving pretty much a debutant in Lee Gannon against one of the best forwards in the league David Clifford.
“I think they need to find a partner for Brian Fenton in midfield just to solidify that because that is Dublin’s strengths, and they need to be more direct with the football. Maybe then they could something off.
“We might see some of the Kilmacud Crokes lads come back into the team and maybe see Rory O’Carroll. Dara Mullin will probably come back into the panel, but can you play those guys after such a long season. Dessie Farrell will probably give them a little bit of a break.
“I fancy the draw and don’t see Dublin as favourites at all to be honest.”
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
