Originally Posted by
clubman
This is a game we have to approach with optimism rather than fear.
By packing mid-field etc we are treating Derry with too much respect and basically going into the game a defeated outfit. Derry are in no way a better team than we are. Derry have struggled for most of this season and only due to a couple of moments of madness and individual errors we conceded four goals but no way are they four goals better than us. We have a very good team and we have to believe this and the players and management most believe this. Look the results in recent weeks hinged on bad decisions and bad luck it’s as simple as that. Last Monday week we were a kick of a ball away from qualifying for the league cup final, that’s not the characteristic of a bad team.
We didn’t qualify and sadly that has had a damning effect on the confidence levels of the players. We were coasting against Dundalk, we were proving how good a side we really are. They hit us with a sucker punch and the confidence levels once again took a hammering. At half-time against Derry no one, not even Stephen Kenny, would have envisaged the end result. Our confidence is shattered at the moment. To regain it will need a terrific push from everyone. It starts with Carry and Cookie. The players individually are certainly good enough of that there’s no doubt, getting them to believe that as a team they are good enough to take on any team and whip their asses is the point that has to be driven home. As supporters we have to be patient, we want this to happen as much as Cookie so we have to encourage the lads. What’s not needed now is to change formations and panic
Swamping mid-field will kill the game and the only winner then will be Derry as we’ll find ourselves heading to the Brandywell for a replay and that certainly won’t do any of our confidence any good. We are the home team, we have the advantage, let’s take the game to Derry. Play the ball to feet, no panic we have the players that can play good attractive football. Lobbing the ball into the heart of the Derry defence will only be capably dealt with by Clive Delaney so that’s a waste of time and effort.
Get the ball down and run at them and then we’ll see you does the panicing. From old we know wants the Sligo public see the effort being put in they’ll give their backing so a good start is vital and by that I only mean in terms of effort. We can do it, we have the players, we have the management team, we have a wonderful playing surface and we have a supporters base that’s well capable of giving our team the support they rightly deserve.
Just one word of advice to the powers that be. The Derry support will be huge for this one. Derry supporters are deafening at the best of times, put a roof over them akin to the blue seated stand and they’ll be at least twice as loud. I suggest stick them down behind the Railway end goal.
Good luck to Paul, Gerry and the lads I know we can do it!
