| Manager urges fans to come out in numbers on Friday |
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| Wednesday, 19 March 2008 | |
 Sligo Rovers won their first point of the 2008 season last Saturday against champions Drogheda United. Paul Cook was a happy man after witnessing a sterling defensive performance in front of a large crowd in the Showgrounds.Surrounded by the several journalists from the local and national media Cook confidently took any questions that were put his way. His spirits were raised by an improved performance and with Rovers not off the bottom of the league it is obviously an improvement from the opening game. The question was put to him that it may have been two points dropped but he quickly shot down that idea. Cook said: 'You can't play Drogheda and say you have dropped two points! After getting beaten by St Pats we said we needed to learn lesson quickly about keeping clean sheets. Clean sheets help you win games and tonight we were very good. We were sound all night and we caused Drogheda a few problems. The Liverpudlian was perhaps being a bit modest. Rovers were on top in the second half and apart from the occasional slip up in defence they could count themselves unlucky not to come out on top. But a clean sheet was secured and it is certainly encouraging as he tries to find out his best eleven. Rain made the already questionable Showgrounds pitch even trickier, he was pleased with his side's endeavour 'It was a difficult night to play football and we stuck at it really well. I was delighted with the boys. We are a new team and we have to learn, football is about learning.' It is not a secret that it is imperative that we see a large crowd for home games and the attendance topped 2000, hopefully a sign of things to come. Cook was delighted to see it, coming on the back of his praise of the Rovers away support in Richmond Park on the opening week. 'We had a good crowd in the Showgrounds which was pleasing. No one likes to be bottom [of the league], what we suggested tonight is that we be heard to beat and we want to play good attractive football. We will do our best in every game and certainly try to put a smile on the faces of our fans' The most impressive aspect of the performance last week was the effort and desire that was shown by the players to right the wrongs of St Pats'. Cook warned of further tribulations in the season, the young side he has built are still learning according to the manager who is only now in his first full season at The Showgrounds 'We had a very committed 11 and the subs that came on were very committed to the cause. When you have that you have to be very happy as a manager. We are a young side, we have brought seven or eight new players in. we are going to learn, there are going to be ups and downs.' The Bit O'Red's face another daunting test this week as Pat Fenlon brings his Bohemains side to The Showgrounds. Fenlon famously once branded our playing surface as a 'farmer's field' so no doubt his opinion on the pitch will change after next Friday. It will be a very difficult game against a side that could include players such as Chris Turner, Darren Manseram and Liam Burns. They are players who will get different reception by supporters but everyone is aware of their quality. Cook is hoping for another big crowd to boost his team. 'We have got a smashing squad but you certainly can't expect us to turn up and be brilliant. But if people come out and support us we will be a match for most teams in the premier division,' he concluded. Sligo Rovers play Bohemians on Good Friday. Kick off 8.00pm. by Rory Houston |
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