Not only do Dublin have plenty to work on ahead of their trip to Kerry this weekend, but Blues legend Diarmuid Connolly 'can't see' them overcoming the Kingdom.
Dessie Farrell's men succumbed to Armagh at Croke Park last Saturday night, with the defeat making it two losses in a row at Croke Park after their All-Ireland semi-final fall to Mayo.
The Orchard men led from early on at HQ, and the Dubs found themselves out-worked in many departments in the 2-15 to 1-13 defeat.
And ex-forward Connolly reckons that work rate played a huge part in their league opener failure - adding that the Kingdom may be a step ahead of the Boys in Blue.
“I don’t think anyone envisaged Dublin losing by such a margin, but Armagh were full value for it,” he told BoyleSports.
“They out-tackled Dublin by more than two to one and when you win the tackle count you tend to win the game.
“Dublin may need to find a couple of guys to step into the fray because another loss in the league will put them in bother, but for me it’s not about the personnel on the pitch, it’s about the work rate.
"I’m sure Dessie Farrell and his management team will be going over it because 47 tackles wouldn’t win you a junior game, never mind a National League game against an up-and-coming side. Armagh outworked Dublin, they were slicker on the ball and Dublin looked lethargic in a lot of their play.
“Kieran McGeeney had these guys primed, they were all bursting out of their jerseys and it’s crazy the condition they were in at this time of the year.
“Another big factor for me though was Cormac Costello going off injured so early on. He could have a huge year for Dublin with the likes of Paul Mannion not there and it made it a difficult start for Dublin, but they got away with it thanks to the other matches ending in draws.
“I can’t see them turning it round against Kerry. They are probably a step ahead of Dublin at this stage even though they didn’t have the best of results either.
"They had a really good start to the game and I thought they were going to blow Kildare out of the water, but their second half performance didn’t meet their standards I’d imagine. They are at home though and Dublin need to pick it up.”
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