| Cook looking forward to full week's work ahead of trip Tolka |
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| Wednesday, 02 May 2007 | |
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Paul Cook faced his first post match interview after just 24 hours as Sligo Rovers manager; he gave his thoughts on the disappointing draw with Waterford United to sligorovers.com. Despite the failure to attain a first victory, Cook was vibrant and eager as he gave his opening assessment. He discussed the game itself while giving an insight on what he expects from his players in the coming weeks.  “Of course we are disappointed. Fair play to Waterford, they really had a go. We've missed chances and we've still got a lot of work ahead but I think we know that anyway. “I am certainly not going to criticize our lads today. You would expect to see the game out going down to ten men and winning 1-0, there is certainly a lot things we have to work on. Games like that should be won. At the end of the day we're not going to quibble about it. I think you show them a lot of gratitude because they've come here and they didn't half work hard." For Cook it was only the second time he has seen his players in action, as a spectator for the defeat to St Pats and as manager in the draw last Saturday. He spoke of why he feels the team's form has dipped recently and what he expects in the long term future from his players. “In some ways we play with a bit of fear and we just don't move the ball as quickly as we should to open teams up. But the lads are learning. We’re going to try and build a team here over the next couple of years. Hopefully a lot of these lads will be here, maybe there will be some new faces but certainly we are going to put a lot of hard work into getting where we want to be." He expanded on what he feels the side needs to turn the recent slump in form around and move up the table. “I think we have got a lot of good players at the minute that I think lack a little bit of shape and a little bit of direction but we're going to work hard and see where it takes us." Cook said the previous day in the press conference to announce his appointment that he hoped to bring in a couple of new faces in the transfer window and he repeated this statement, adding that any of the current squad who do not wish to improve will not be staying. “Obviously we're looking towards July when we are certainly looking to bring in a couple of players. It is too early to say now but we are looking to bring a couple in and the onus is on the lads to prove they want to play here. “As I've just said to them now 'nobody wants to finish mid-table', its pointless starting the season if you feel like that. Little games like today, throwing away two points, it hurts me and it should hurt them. I have just said it to them in there that 'the majority of you who want it can stay but do not want to stay and improve they can move on." This week Cook takes his first training sessions with his players as they build up to the first competitive meeting of Sligo and Shamrock Rovers since the cup clash in Tolka Park in 2002. The game is a big one for all concerned at the club and Cook is already aware of that fact. “It will be a difficult game up there but again we looking forward to it. We will have a good weeks training. I like to think we can get a little bit more organised and get a little more nouse about us, especially at the back because that's important." The early team news for Rovers is that Cook hopes Conor O' Grady could return to action for the game, although he still remains a doubt. More team news will appear on sligorovers.com in the coming days. Shamrock Rovers vs Sligo Rovers takes place at Tolka Park this Friday, kick off 8pm By Rory Houston |
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