Conor Meade - Room for improvement in Cobh

Since their re-emergence as a League of Ireland club, Cobh Ramblers have caught the eye of fans around the League as they have found themselves involved in a number of enthralling goal fests in the First Division.

They currently sit in 7th place on 11 points following two wins, five draws and three losses, but with the table being very wide open, six points is all that divides them from moving into second place.

Leading goalscorer Conor Meade feels there is a lot of room for improvement, but insists that fans must remember they are a largely inexperienced side facing teams with squads containing a number of established players.

"We have done ok. We are playing against experienced sides every week and we have a really inexperienced side so you have to be realistic in what you can demand from young lads when it is their first season in the League of Ireland. We are doing ok but there is a lot of room for improvement."

Despite being joint top scorer in the Division with ten goals, Meade admits he would rather be top of the table rather than the goal scoring charts.

"I would much rather be top of the League than top goalscorer, but it's great to be getting goals. I am hungry to prove myself in the League of Ireland and I want to play at the highest level. I will keep trying to improve and see where it takes me."

Much of the Cobh squad are products of their U19 set-up, but Conor feels a number of these players have coped well with the step up. He also feels the experience of himself, Davin O'Neill and John Meade is vital as they aim to set a good example for the rising stars of the club.

"Some of the younger lads have done really well, such as Brendan Frahill, Bobby Donoghue and Sean O'Mahoney who have been outstanding. Some of these lads are fifth year students so you have to be patient and make the realise what is needed to be successful.

"Myself, Davin and John Meade are probably the more experienced lads so we try to set a good example for them. Davin is quality and could play with anyone in the League of Ireland in my opinion. He has a knock at the moment and is playing through the pain, but hopefully after the break we get the best out of him and keep pushing on."

Feeling they have hit a blip, the striker is hopeful they can add new players to the ranks in the summer in order to push in on what he feels is a wide open First Division table.

"Anyone can beat anyone in this league.  We have struggled of late but hopefully in the transfer window we can strengthen with five or six players and make a real go of it. It is wide open so hopefully come June we can still be in touch to make a push in the second half of the season."

St. Colman's Park has played host to some of the most entertaining games of the season so far, but the 28-year-old does not care about the scoreline so long as they are picking up the points.

"I think we are averaging 500 a week which is very good and shows that Cobh have a good following. Some teams are just about getting 100 which is pretty poor to be fair so hopefully if the FAI want a one league set up then Cobh will be included in that. As for the goals it could be 10-9, once we win I don't care."

Next up for Cobh Ramblers is a trip to the midlands on Saturday evening as they take on League leaders Longford Town in City Calling Stadium.