Pendulum swings to Tyrone

I think the pendulum has swung back Tyrone's way for their replayed Ulster football quarter final tie with Tyrone with the news that midfielder Dan Gordon will miss the game with a broken thumb.
Tyrone have injury worries of their own in Davy Harte, Colm Cavanagh and Enda McGinley but they lost the midfield battle against the Mournemen and Gordon will be a big loss to Down.
I think the draw will help Tyrone's bid to retain their Ulster title.
The only way for key men like Brian McGuigan and Brian Dooher to regain match fitness after their long lay-offs is by playing competitive games.
Both men showed well in patches on Sunday but they have a long way to go to reach the peaks they experienced in 2003 and 2005.
Another competitive game albeit a replay will be a step forward for both of them and a win would put Tyrone's season back on track.
That would guarantee them at least two more championship games and sometimes a team can rebuild its confidence and morale through a run of games.
The Red Hands have still not sorted out their problems in midfield, the loss of McGinley is a big blow, and the full back line still looks dodgy under the high ball.
The forward line is not firing on all cylinders either but there is still room to improve.
I think Tyrone will come through Saturday night's test but Down remain unpredictable and their ability to score goals always makes them a threat.
However, their full back line is poor and I think Tyrone will be more ruthless than they were last weekend.