We went down 2-0 in our last league game away to St Patrick’s Athletic. Like many games recently, it was small but key moments that decided the result.
“I felt on the night that alot of what we did was very good and when we reviewed it, we did feel that. We gave away two really poor goals, which ultimately cost us. But there was alot of what we wanted to do which was good and if we take one or two of our own chances, it’s a different game. We’re disappointed to lose considering the goals we gave up.”
When a team is in a bad run of results, as we are currently, it’s essential to not panic. Is it just a case of working on it on the training pitch and getting that defensive solidity back?
“It’s just a matter of trust in it. Last Friday against Pat’s, it was basic errors. We knew what was coming, we’d spoken about it and went through it. It was really basic and that was the frustrating bit. There wasn’t anything major wrong in the game, but we need to be better in those moments, and we were punished last Friday.”
We have four of our final six games at home, starting tomorrow against Waterford FC. How is the mood in the group this week?
“The players have been good. They were obviously disappointed last Friday but as I’ve always said, one of our strengths is moving on quickly from results and games. Come Monday morning, full focus was on Waterford and getting ready for what will be a difficult game. But the players have been really good.”
Waterford have been probably the form team recently. We know the danger of Podge Amond and Tommy Lonergan up front. Where else do you notice what Graham Coughlan has improved his charges since he came in to manage the team?
“If you look at the league form since Graham has come in, they’d be top of the league. So that shows you the job he has done and that’s a brilliant job. From the outside, it looks like they’ve simplified the game. We know they have very good players, who’ve been very good so we’re under no illusions that tomorrow will be a difficult game.”
What’s our injury situation this weekend?
“Enda Stevens will miss out after coming out just before the Pat’s game. Naj Razi has trained all week (following a fractured cheekbone some weeks back) so he got the all-clear, which is great. Other than that, everything remains the same.”
