Response to SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division – Keith Long

Waterford FC head coach Keith Long offered no excuses for Friday’s defeat to Drogheda United in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division, after a disappointing performance he felt had been “coming for a while” at Weavers Park.

After the game, Long said: “I don’t think we deserved anything from the game. It was a bad goal to concede. It was a mistake and late in the game you might as well lose the game 2-0 by chasing it. We gave the ball away and they decided the game with the second goal.

“It’s a poor performance but I think it’s been coming for a while if I’m honest with you. The lads have done really well in adapting to the Premier Division but we’ve been a bit lucky in some games.

“Tonight we were unlucky and we didn’t do enough in the space between the two boxes, didn’t defend our own 18-yard box, or enough in the opposition’s 18-yard box. We’ve got a big month ahead of us and we’ve got five really, really big games against top teams. We’re going to have to perform a lot better than we did tonight.”

FIGHTING AND SCRAP

Long added: “Drogheda are an experienced Premier Division team. They know how to fight and battle. That’s probably something we need to do better. I think in those moments we need to win those duels, we need to pick up second balls and play the game in an ugly way, not in a beautiful, sophisticated way.

“There are no panic buttons here at all. We lost a football match. We won 11 matches and lost 10 matches. You don’t go into battle to lose matches, but to lose them the way we did the last two matches, through set pieces, a mistake, not defending, not doing the basics well enough, is disappointing.

“We’ve bounced back after the break. We’ve had some good results, we’ve progressed in the cup and now we’ve had a few setbacks. One thing we’ll try to do is try and bounce back against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night at the RSC.” Long isn’t worried, despite the first successive league defeats since April. “We’re third in the table so there’s no need to worry, but having said that, we can’t get complacent. We’re not good enough and none of us are good enough. That’s the crux of the matter.

“I’m not a good enough manager and players can’t take things for granted. They can’t become complacent. We have to get better and we have to try to maximise every chance in every game. We have to work harder than the opposition. I didn’t see that from us tonight, which is disappointing.

“But there are some bright spots, if you can call it that, with Barry Baggley coming in and Sam Glenfield making his debut. Shane Flynn and Sam Bellis coming off the bench. These guys will fully integrate over the next few weeks.

“It was very difficult for Louis Jones to come in tonight. He was a bit cold. He trained yesterday but I’m sure he will improve as his loan at the club and the season progresses. We’ve lost players like Sarge, Barry, Rowan and Maleace. When you take those players out, it’s going to hurt at any time.”

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS

Commenting on the transfer window, Long added: “I think we have to manage expectations now because this is a team that has just been promoted from the First Division. We are probably punching a little bit above our weight. Look at the signings that other clubs have made and look at the squads that other clubs have.

“We haven’t. We need to bring in players that people may not have heard of, like Sam Bellis, Shane Flynn and Sam Glenfield. For some of these guys, it’s pre-season. It’s going to take time for them to settle in and get up to speed. People may need to be patient and give them time.

“We brought in Louis Jones and it was a tough decision to make tonight with Matt Connor. These are decisions I have to make. Sometimes you do well and sometimes you don’t. We will try to work with the group. The players are working hard, training hard, but we have to improve and try to get better.

“It’s up to us to get them ready for Rovers on Friday. It’s an important game and I’m sure there will be a big crowd. The dynamic in the dressing room is changing a little bit and we have to be patient with the players coming in. But there’s no need to panic or worry.”