Former Monaghan star Nudie Hughes warns Malachy O'Rourke's side could be just as defensive as Derry as they bid to avoid another heavy defeat to Dublin.

Following last year's 17-point All-Ireland quarter-final defeat, Monaghan fell to Dublin again by 11 points last Sunday. Last month, Derry managed to stifle Dublin almost as much as Dublin thwarted them, the score-line finishing 0-8 to 0-4.

Hughes believes Monaghan will return from their training camp in Portugal this week determined not to suffer another double-digit defeat to Jim Gavin's men.

"I think they will have seen what Derry did and will copy it. With 66 minutes gone in that game, Derry were still in the game. Monaghan will say to themselves 'we can do that' and they might even do it better.

"The Derry defence and midfield performed well against Dublin that day and Monaghan will know they'll have to do the same. They just can't afford to be humiliated. Even though whatever happens we're one of the last out of the league, it will play on the boys' minds that they can't afford another episode like last Sunday.

"Some of them didn't play up to scratch last weekend. They were up against a complete unit with 11 or 12 of their championship team. Players will want to rectify themselves and Malachy O'Rourke will want a performance."

Hughes feels Monaghan don't have the pace to go toe-to-toe with Dublin and must cut their cloth accordingly. Dessie Mone is also skating on thin ice as he picked up a second black card in this league campaign last Sunday. A third automatic substitution or a double yellow card and he will miss the next game.

"Dessie's walking a tightrope but Dublin will be able to go into this gung-ho. If any of the starting players aren't performing Gavin can whisk them off in no time. You saw that when Eoin Culligan picked up a yellow card (last Sunday). Philly McMahon came in. We can't compete at that level with the resources that we have.

"We don't have the pace to be able to go with them so we have to think of something different. I believe Monaghan will go out and give a good account of themselves but it mightn't be pretty to watch."

The three-time All Star heard the groans among Monaghan supporters in Clones last weekend when it was confirmed their team would once again be meeting Dublin this Sunday.

"There was a big Monaghan following at that game and they were sickened. There was deflation when Dublin were confirmed as the semi-finals opponents."