Russell looking for UCD improvement
Credit:
Martin Russell’s UCD side scored four goals
en route to the victory against Galway United last weekend, but three goals conceded points to a poor defensive display that saw the manager relieved to have come away with the victory.
Two goals from Graham Rusk were sandwiched between strikes from Dean Marshall, from the penalty spot, and Cillian Morrison. Galway made for a tense finish however with two goals from Alan Murphy and a header from Bobby Ryan pushing the Students to the final minutes.
Martin Russell was conscious of the responsibility himself and his players have in performing to the best of their ability in the Airtricity League, he explained following the lacklustre performance, "No it's not (a good performance), we've always said that to the lads as well, we're trying to encourage them to be Premier players and with that comes responsibility of a performance. Usually if the performance is right you'll get good rewards."
Galway have released statements in the past weeks detailing the release of all the players from their contracts as they seek financial stability. Russell is aware of effect that can have on a club and referenced the exodus of player from UCD at the beginning of the season. "On the other side of things we're trying fast track some of these lads that were playing 'A Championship' football a few months ago. At the start of the season because of the exodus of players they had to come up to the mantle and they're learning as they go."
Despite the poor defensive play Russell was keen to point the obvious positives of scoring four goals. "We scored four goals away from home, and we won't do that many times this season but overall performances will need to be better."
Paul Corry made what happened to be a winning challenge on Gary Curran in the second half as Galway looked to be on the comeback trail. The midfielder injured himself in the process but Russell was optimistic as to the severity of the injury, "We're hoping it's not too serious, he went over on his ankle the other night and I thought when he didn't come up too quickly it was a sign that he'd done it again, power for the cause and power to him that we withdrew him."
UCD are now in eight position, 13 points ahead of Galway United at the bottom of the table, the Students manager is looking for further improvement in clawing back Bray Wanderers a further 13 points ahead of them. "We'll always look to improve our performance and move up the table. We'll go to our next game against Bray and get them closer to us, that's what we're aiming for and that's what we're looking forward to now."
UCD go out against Bray Wanderers at home next Friday (KO 19.45).
Two goals from Graham Rusk were sandwiched between strikes from Dean Marshall, from the penalty spot, and Cillian Morrison. Galway made for a tense finish however with two goals from Alan Murphy and a header from Bobby Ryan pushing the Students to the final minutes.
Martin Russell was conscious of the responsibility himself and his players have in performing to the best of their ability in the Airtricity League, he explained following the lacklustre performance, "No it's not (a good performance), we've always said that to the lads as well, we're trying to encourage them to be Premier players and with that comes responsibility of a performance. Usually if the performance is right you'll get good rewards."
Galway have released statements in the past weeks detailing the release of all the players from their contracts as they seek financial stability. Russell is aware of effect that can have on a club and referenced the exodus of player from UCD at the beginning of the season. "On the other side of things we're trying fast track some of these lads that were playing 'A Championship' football a few months ago. At the start of the season because of the exodus of players they had to come up to the mantle and they're learning as they go."
Despite the poor defensive play Russell was keen to point the obvious positives of scoring four goals. "We scored four goals away from home, and we won't do that many times this season but overall performances will need to be better."
Paul Corry made what happened to be a winning challenge on Gary Curran in the second half as Galway looked to be on the comeback trail. The midfielder injured himself in the process but Russell was optimistic as to the severity of the injury, "We're hoping it's not too serious, he went over on his ankle the other night and I thought when he didn't come up too quickly it was a sign that he'd done it again, power for the cause and power to him that we withdrew him."
UCD are now in eight position, 13 points ahead of Galway United at the bottom of the table, the Students manager is looking for further improvement in clawing back Bray Wanderers a further 13 points ahead of them. "We'll always look to improve our performance and move up the table. We'll go to our next game against Bray and get them closer to us, that's what we're aiming for and that's what we're looking forward to now."
UCD go out against Bray Wanderers at home next Friday (KO 19.45).
