Paul Cook

A narrow victory saw Rovers return to winning ways but Cook was far from happy after what he believed was another below par performance  from his side

”It is nice to win . I keep saying this and I don’t want to sound like a broken record but you keep finding out about us. I told the lads at half time that it was the worst performance I have ever seen from a Sligo side. We were abysmal. We looked like a tall and one straight ball and a team gets in against us. We couldn’t hold it up front and we couldn’t get a second ball. We spoke at length at half time on how we can make it right. To be fair second half we did a bit better. Football is a funny game because you win. It over rides so many things.”

For the second week running Cook was openly honest in his opinion on what a fair result would be and he believed Gareth Cronin’s side deserved to come away from the game with something

”I thought tonight again Waterford were full value for a point weren’t they. You only try to be fair in this game and sometime luck goes your way. Tonight we rode our luck at times “

Cook was asked about the excellent play that saw Rovers conjure an equalizer in the first half after Karl Bermingham had given Waterford the lead. Truthfully it was one of the rare occasions Rovers showed their passing ability and the former Southport manager was critical of the decision making his players made.

”Yes but we speak so much about passing the ball and opening teams up and one of the things we have to learn is that in certain areas of the pitch we continuously give it away by making the wrong decision and decision making in football is so important. And when we make better decisions on the pitch, ie when to get the tight, when to drop off and when to take one touch or two we will be a better side.”

He did offer some praise to his players that work so hard every week and spoke of his desire to add to his squad to take the pressure of those player.

“We are a young side that is learning. The likes of Faz and Judge play 90 minutess for me nearly every week. They don’t whine, they travel, and they work hard and have a go. We do need two or three more squad players to come in and give some a break. But as we keep maintaining they have to be good players because we want to be able to say ‘well if we bring in better players into what we have got now then we are doing ok’. “


With just over a week to go to the close of the transfer window time is running out for the manager to add to the squad. He remains defiant in his stance that it is the right player or nothing. So will there be new players coming in??

”You would like to think so , I can’t keep talking about it! We want to, of course you do. And the problem you have with the transfer window is as there is a deadline on you it feels like it is a countdown. Unfortunately what I have decided is as I am not going to be sort of railroaded into giving players a contract to say “oh we have signed someone”. I’m working hard to bring in one, two or three players for sure, in position that people know. Hopefully we will have some news on that soon.
Results like tonight obviously make things easier for everyone because the first and foremost priority is to be safe in this league and tonight’s result goes a long way to maintaining that . “


Adam Hughes was forced off with a bad cut above his eye in the second half of the game and is a doubt for the upcoming game against Shamrock Rovers. Cook was of course disappointed to see his captain go off but praised the bravery of the Australian to fight for the ball in such a way.

”He is a bit concussed. Adam is a very brave lad and we will go to the hospital to pick him up now. It’s the type of spirit you need to see. We suggested at half time that in the first half Waterford wanted to win the game more than Sligo and we need to sort of raise our spirit. Forget passing, forget skill and forget everything. Waterford wanted it a lot more than us. We got back into the game with a little bit of luck and that gives you a leg up. Second half I thought it was a lot more even and both teams went from end to end but we competed well.”

Now attention turns to the Shamrock Rovers game this Friday which is being shown live on TG4. It is one of the biggest games Cook had faced so far in his short career as manager of Sligo Rovers. He was quick to praise the work of his fellow manager Pat Scully and is looking forward to doing battle with him for the third time.

“You can’t say how good a job Pat Scully is doing and to be in there challenging for the league as they are is amazing. It’s difficult because obviously they are a bit of a part time side even though they have a few full time players. But they are still challenging the likes of Drogheda and Pat has done a fantastic job there. Hopefully next week we can put one over on him, all we can do is prepare right and do our best.”

Click on the links below to hear the views of Conor and Faz on the game

Conor O'Grady

Faz Kudozovic

Courtesy of Rory Houston