While we are still quite a bit away from the start of the inter-county season, managers around the country will already be plotting out their path to success in 2024.
For some counties, that will mean securing promotion in the league. Others will be hoping to reach the knockout stages in the championship, while a select few will be aiming to lift the Sam Maguire next summer.
Kerry are certainly among that final group. Jack O'Connor's men came up short in this year's All-Ireland final, failing to perform to their best in the decider against Dublin.
With O'Connor being given another two-year term in charge of the team earlier this week, he will be looking to ensure that they are firmly in the mix to reach that stage once again next season.
Pat Spillane says Kerry need to make big change for 2024
Kerry boast the most talented forward in the game in the form of David Clifford, although it could be said that their reliance on the Fossa man has become a bit of an issue. Dublin marshalled him well in the All-Ireland final, with the other forwards from the Munster side failing to step up in response.
This is something Pat Spillane feels needs to change if the county are to have any chance of regaining the Sam Maguire in 2024.
Writing in the Sunday World, the Kerry legend said that Jack O'Connor needs to make an addition to his coaching team in order to rejuvenate the team's attack.
They are still missing a vital piece of the management jigsaw. Kerry need to appoint a designated forwards coach.
Their lack of an attacking plan is camouflaged because of the quality of the Clifford brothers and O’Shea. The serious deficiencies they have up front reared their head again in the All-Ireland final.
Their forward weaknesses include too much emphasis on retaining possession, a reluctance to deploy their kicking game, even though it is probably their trump card, and a poor goalscoring record against the better teams...
Over the last two years, their attack has become too predictable. Basically, it involves getting David Clifford on the end of most moves and expecting him to do the rest.
Dublin knew what to expect from the Kerry attack and had a plan to snuff it out. This is where a forwards coach would help. He needs to think outside the box.
Kerry could certainly do with reorganising their attack in some manner, with teams quickly realising that limiting David Clifford's impact goes a long way towards completely nullifying the rest of their forward line.
That is something Jack O'Connor needs to address in 2024.
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