United boss bemoans lack of continuity
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
HOW do you solve a problem like Galway United?
The western-most club slumped to its fifth defeat in six League of Ireland showings at the hands of Cork City on Friday night, a result that keeps them precariously positioned above the bottom three. It has been like watching a plummeting rollercoaster from the side that started the season with so much promise, but has struggled to recapture that firepower in the second quarter of the season.
But change is hopefully afoot according to manager Ian Foster, who has been lampooned by injuries and suspensions for several weeks and brandishes that as the epicentre of their plight.
‘I think we’ve gone the whole second round of nine games without Sean Kelly, without Alan Murphy, we’ve had suspensions to Garry Breen, John Russell, David Cooke, Derek O’Brien. Derek O’Brien’s been missing through injury, so has John Russell,” he said.
“The chopping and changing that we didn’t have in the first round of nine games cost us in the second round of nine games. Our squad’s not massive and it’s been stretched right to its capabilities as you see with Liam McKenna having to come in. Liam did excellent in that game, but he doesn’t train with us, doesn’t play with us, and that’s how stretched we were.
“But hopefully we’ll get players back now this week and maybe almost be at full strength going down to St Pat's.”
Foster confirmed that the opening of the transfer window meant little to the financially strapped club, with additions to the squad a non-existent prospect.
“My transfer window’s been bricked up,” he said.
Outgoing-wise the most likely departure will be that of Jay O’Shea who put in a sprightly performance for an alleged number of English scouts on Friday and Foster believed they would have been happy with what they saw.
“I think he played really well. When he gets in the hole there he uses the ball really well, his first touch is excellent, he’s got fantastic technique, he always plays forward, he always plays with a purpose,” Foster said.
“You can just lend him the ball and trust him with it.
“I don’t personally know who was here tonight, but I’m sure they would have been impressed with Jay tonight and certainly last time against Shamrock Rovers as well.”
The western-most club slumped to its fifth defeat in six League of Ireland showings at the hands of Cork City on Friday night, a result that keeps them precariously positioned above the bottom three. It has been like watching a plummeting rollercoaster from the side that started the season with so much promise, but has struggled to recapture that firepower in the second quarter of the season.
But change is hopefully afoot according to manager Ian Foster, who has been lampooned by injuries and suspensions for several weeks and brandishes that as the epicentre of their plight.
‘I think we’ve gone the whole second round of nine games without Sean Kelly, without Alan Murphy, we’ve had suspensions to Garry Breen, John Russell, David Cooke, Derek O’Brien. Derek O’Brien’s been missing through injury, so has John Russell,” he said.
“The chopping and changing that we didn’t have in the first round of nine games cost us in the second round of nine games. Our squad’s not massive and it’s been stretched right to its capabilities as you see with Liam McKenna having to come in. Liam did excellent in that game, but he doesn’t train with us, doesn’t play with us, and that’s how stretched we were.
“But hopefully we’ll get players back now this week and maybe almost be at full strength going down to St Pat's.”
Foster confirmed that the opening of the transfer window meant little to the financially strapped club, with additions to the squad a non-existent prospect.
“My transfer window’s been bricked up,” he said.
Outgoing-wise the most likely departure will be that of Jay O’Shea who put in a sprightly performance for an alleged number of English scouts on Friday and Foster believed they would have been happy with what they saw.
“I think he played really well. When he gets in the hole there he uses the ball really well, his first touch is excellent, he’s got fantastic technique, he always plays forward, he always plays with a purpose,” Foster said.
“You can just lend him the ball and trust him with it.
“I don’t personally know who was here tonight, but I’m sure they would have been impressed with Jay tonight and certainly last time against Shamrock Rovers as well.”
