Russell - We've gained a lot of belief in ourselves

Limerick manager Martin Russell says his side have “gained a lot of belief in themselves” with recent performances and he is relishing the challenge of facing reigning League Champions and current leaders Dundalk at Jackman Park on Saturday evening (kick-off 6.30pm).
 

The Shannonsiders have picked up just two points in the opening weeks of the season but their recent displays against Longford Town (2-2), Drogheda United (1-1) and Saint Patrick’s Athletic (1-2) have provided plenty of encouragement.
 

Last weekend, they went down narrowly at home to the Saints despite a brave effort, and now they face Stephen Kenny’s high-flyers who have a 100 percent record after five games without conceding a goal.

But Russell is looking forward to the test as they continue their search for their first win of the campaign, ahead of crucial trips to Bray Wanderers and Galway United over the next fortnight.

“I’m sure St. Pat’s came off the field feeling glad to get out with the win. We put a lot of effort into the game,” Russell told LimerickFC.ie. “There are no easy matches, particularly against the top teams like Dundalk and St. Pat’s.

“With the quality of players that they can put out on the pitch it was always going to be a big ask for where we’re at. But we gave them a lot of questions and probably on another night we could have got a draw out of the game.

“This weekend is another great game. You want to test yourself against the ones that are leading the way and Dundalk are definitely doing that – nobody has scored against them yet in the league and they have got maximum points from the first five games.

“They will come here full of confidence, but we have gained a lot of belief in ourselves in the last few weeks. I think if we can continue to put the effort in that we have been then we’ll do well against them.

“I would like to compete against Dundalk and see how far we are off them and what we need to do to get better.

“Dundalk are a good passing side, strong in a lot of areas and definitely will have the utmost respect from us. But we will give it everything and hopefully come out with a positive result.”

Last season, Dundalk won all three meetings between the teams and all by a single goal, with Limerick having taken seven of the nine points available in 2013.