| Connor needs to lift his troops for Drogheda |
|
|
|
| Tuesday, 08 August 2006 | |
 Over a year had passed since Sligo Rovers last lost a league game at home,it was a record Sean Connor was very proud of and following the 1-0 defeat to UCD last Friday night it was clear it was a record he was disappointed to lose.
He gave a frank assessment of the game. “We dominated the game and I think it is the first time this season where our finishing has been poor. We had enough chances to win the game," he reflected. The best of those chances fell to set piece specialist Keith Foy but his poor penalty was easily saved by the UCD goalkeeper. It was very unlike Foy to be so hesitant when striking the ball. Connor explained the reason for this. "The referee has forced Foyzer to place the ball in a dip and has stood over him for a long period of time but you expect Foyzer to score those penalties. He does that and we get a point. I wouldn’t necessarily have been happy with a point but I didn’t want to lose our home record. They are a big strong side but I think they had once chance all game and took it. "It was just one of those nights where nothing was going to happen, The ball wasn't sticking at the front two. In the 1st half we were over-elaborate. We tried to walk it in and played too many one-two's around the edge of the box. We made a couple of adjustments at half time and I thought we were bright. I don't think Brush had a save to make,they until that one at the death. They had one or two half chances and breakaways towards the end but you expect that.” It was obvious UCD came with the intention of frustrating Rovers and their plan worked, Connor was the first to acknowledge this. "They came here for a point, No doubt about it. You have got to hand it to them, they did the job very well. But too many of our crosses were in front of the centre-half which it made it very easy for them. We didn't get enough balls in the box. Everything was in front of them or directly across them. We didn’t take the chances we created.” The Belfast native did not think it was his side's worst performance of the season, though he had this to say on where it ranked "We've played better against Shels and we have played better against St. Pats but I also think we have played worse and won games. We were not as good as this in Waterford and we won. In Bray I thought we were a bit sticky at times and apart from a 15 minute period in the 1st half we dominated the game." Rovers gave home debuts to the 3 transfer window signings,Harpel Singh,Choice Aisien and Brian Cash.Their manager had this to say on their displays. " All three showed flashes of what they can do. I think Cash worked hard but never really got at his full back and put crosses in and that is what I want from him. Harpel came on and at that stage the game was a bit frantic and we probably should have been a bit more composed. I'm quite pleased with Choice. It was a tough call not to start him tonight but with all the travelling he has done and the move we just thought it was a bit too much. We always planned to bring him on as early as we could in the second half. Connor also could not fault the displays of Richard Brush and Jamie Mc Kenzie who were standing in for the injured John O' Hara and the suspended Liam Burns. He admitted they did miss the experience and leadership of Burns. Both men will be available the game against Drogheda next Sunday. Thoughts now turn to that match and the task ahead of Sean is lifting the players to get a result from the Setanta Cup holders. "Right now they are feeling sorry for themselves and are feeling low. I feel......gutted. I haven't got the Shelbourne defeat out of my system all week and now I'll go about with this one. But that’s football. We have just got to go pick ourselves up. That’s how tough this league is. We were doing fantastic. Best of the rest, and suddenly now we are hauled back into the pack. The good news for Connor is the possibility of having an almost fully fit squad apart from long term injury victim Sean Flannery. Competition for places will be fierce with the possible return of Paul Mc Tiernan and John O Hara from injury and the return of Liam Burns from suspension. Drogheda United vs Sligo Rovers,United Park Sunday 13th August kick off 5.30 There is a supporters bus being organised for the game next Sunday.The bus is leaving from the Showgrounds at around 2 o clock and the cost of a place is €20euro.Contact 0861535500 for more information. by Rory Houston |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
