| Connor not happy with two week world cup break |
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| Friday, 02 June 2006 | |
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With world cup fever just around the corner, Michael Moran of the Sligo Champion speaks to Sean Connor about the upcoming fortnight break in the season and the challenge ahead tomorrow nights against Lonford Town at The Showgrounds. by Michael Moran, Courtesy, The Sligo Champion SLIGO Rovers manager, Sean Connor, believes the upcoming two-week World Cup break is more of a hindrance than a help to eircom league clubs. “I was never a big supporter of this decision and I see no reason to change that opinion at this stage. From our own point of view, the players will have a week off and then return to training. As a professional outfit they know what is expected of them and they won’t abuse the situation,” said Connor. Speaking ahead of next Saturday night’s visit by Longford Town to the Showgrounds, the Rovers boss maintained that the interruption to the league could have an impact. “We obviously won’t know that until about four weeks. It can be difficult when you find yourself out of action for a period of time. Plans “I am not sure how the other clubs intend to cope. We have made our plans and we will stick with them. As to the effect of all this, ask me in a month and I will be better placed to comment,” he added. Saturday night’s encounter with Longford represents the first in the second series of fixtures and the Rovers manager says he is reasonably pleased with his team’s performance on their return to the Premier Division. “We set ourselves a target of twelve points from the opening round. Prior to the postponement of the Bray Wanderers fixture in the Carlisle Grounds we were on eleven and that is not a bad return. “Of course, there were games we would have looked at winning and didn’t, but that is football. We have done well against the top teams and our aim is build on what we have done so far and progress from there,” he went on. Connor is expecting a tough game from Longford, especially following the Midlanders dramatic F.A.I. Cup second round victory over Cork City at Flancare Park. False position “I feel Longford are in a false position in the league. They are a decent footballing side, with some excellent players. It should be an interesting match to say the least. “They picked up a good cup win and in many respects that saved their season. It is, however, a game I honestly think we can win,” said Connor. Rovers held Longford scoreless when the sides met back in March, after the scheduled opening fixture had been postponed due to a water logged pitch. “We did okay up there, as it is always a difficult venue as Cork found out to their cost. It might be another close tie, but we are confident,” the manager went on. Rovers will be without the suspended Gavin Peers, who is serving a one match ban, though midfielder Conor O’Grady returns having missed the win against Munster Senior League side, Carrigaline United, in the F.A.I. Cup at Turners Cross on Saturday due to suspension. Gary Curran is also available after a recent back injury. Central defender Liam Burns, withdrawn at half-time in the cup tie due to illness, has also recovered. Commenting on the four-nil win over Carrigaline, Connor described it as “a job well done.” System “It was one of those situations in which were were ‘damned if we did and damned if we didn’t’. Everyone expected us to win, therefore we were never going to get any great plaudits. “In the main, I was very pleased. We stuck to our system and passed the ball well. Once the quality of our deliveries improved, we created good chances. “These sort of ties can be tricky and in many respects, you only play as hard as you have to. We might have added a few more goals, but the main objective was to get through and I am delighted we did that,” said Connor-who was forced to sit out the game as a result of his one match ban. He did admit to some disappointing aspects of the performance, nevertheless. “We made some silly errors and against a better team we might have been punished. There again, though, we might not have made the mistakes against better quality opposition. “We must be totally professional at all times and that is something I always demand from my players. It is great to make it to the last sixteen and all we can wish for now is a home draw,” he stated. *Rovers postponed game against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds has been refixed for Tuesday, July 18th with a kick-off time of 7.45pm. |
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