The loss of Tommy Conroy and Ryan O'Donoghue from the Mayo inside forward line means it is hard to see James Horan’s men seriously challenge for Sam Maguire this year, according to Ciarán Whelan.
Last year’s beaten finalists embarked on their latest qualifier journey last weekend when they got past a dogged Monaghan side in Castlebar without ever really making their superiority tell on the scoreboard. Indeed poor decision-making, inaccurate shooting and a lack of thrust up front meant the Farney men were always within striking distance, with manager Seamus 'Banty' McEnaney very upset his side were denied two penalty claims late on in a four-point defeat.
Next up is a date with Kildare in Croke Park on Saturday, the Lilywhites of course coming off their bruising Leinster final defeat to Dublin.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, two-time All-Star Whelan was asked whether Mayo have what it takes to regroup from their own provincial set-back and reach another All-Ireland decider.
"It’s possible. On any given day, as we have seen over the years, they can take anybody when they are performing," he said before outlining his reasons for pessimism as far as the green and red are concerned.
Similar to Pat Spillane earlier this week, Whelan feels a lack of real firepower will ultimately be their undoing.
"My concern for them this year would be the final third. Having a reliance of Matty Ruane kicking scores or Lee Keegan forward to kick a score after 20 minutes (without a score), without Tommy Conroy, without Ryan O’Donoghue, they have no inside forward that can really cause a lot of difficulty.
"I think that is where they are too light.
"They have introduced the likes of Aidan Orme and Darren McHale, James Horan is trying to find something, hoping something will click, but I just think they are a little light inside and probably a little predictable as well, struggling to break down defensive systems they are likely to come up against on that side of the draw."
Whelan is expecting a good tussle on Saturday between the two sides, arguing that the Kildare performance against Dublin, where the Lilywhites conceded five first-half goals in a 5-17 to 1-16 defeat, wasn’t a true reflection on their ability.
"I think they are better than what we saw against Dublin," he said, adding that the poor shot selection came about from panic with the concession of so many goals.
"They have the ability to cause Mayo a bit of difficulty in the inside line.
"Kildare have to play to their strengths. I don’t think they can do enough defensively to change because they have been set up like that all year, I can’t see any radical change.
"They are going to play on the front foot and hope their forward line can fire."
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