Kenna: "I have to feel under pressure"
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Jeff Kenna admitted he is feeling the strain placed on him by his side’s awful recent run of results while also reiterating his belief that he is to blame but by the same token he is the also man who will turn things around.
When questioned about the pressure he is now under, the former Republic of Ireland international said: “I have to feel under pressure, it’s a results business and we’re not getting them.”
Of tonight’s result and performance he stated: “Two mistakes, individual mistakes, give them the first two goals, Kudozovic scores a good goal, you can accept that, Then Stuart Byrne gets sent off, we’re down to ten men and it’s game over.”
Kenna however, wasn’t willing to publicly critisice Byrne following the defeat: “I’ve seen them given, it was a rash tackle. I don’t think he was ever going to get the ball. Sometimes you might get away with it, a little bit of luck there, but it was a red card.”
When asked if his side are now facing a relegation battle Kenna conceded: “On current form it is yeah. I don’t believe that will be the case but the table doesn’t lie. At the moment our form is deplorable, the longer that goes on it will end up being a relegation battle.”
However he did counter that by saying: “I believe that the players are good enough that it’s not gonna happen, I think we’re gonna be up the other end of the table.”
He also admitted that confidence is now beginning to suffer: “The players are only human, they know things aren’t going well .I have to try and keep them bubbly, keep them lively but they have to play their part in that also. They’ve gotta believe that it’s gonna turn.”
Kenna did also reveal that he will be looking to strengthen during the July transfer window and will be given funds to do so: “I have been given indication of what we’ll be able to do yes. So we do have irons in the fire if you like but that’s a while away yet.”
When asked will current players have to make way to facilitate this he said unequivocally: “Yes, is the short answer to that.”
So there is light at the end of the tunnel for the deflated supporters at The Stadium of Light but that light may still be as far away as July or as close as next Friday night when Sligo Rovers make the journey to Richmond Park.
When questioned about the pressure he is now under, the former Republic of Ireland international said: “I have to feel under pressure, it’s a results business and we’re not getting them.”
Of tonight’s result and performance he stated: “Two mistakes, individual mistakes, give them the first two goals, Kudozovic scores a good goal, you can accept that, Then Stuart Byrne gets sent off, we’re down to ten men and it’s game over.”
Kenna however, wasn’t willing to publicly critisice Byrne following the defeat: “I’ve seen them given, it was a rash tackle. I don’t think he was ever going to get the ball. Sometimes you might get away with it, a little bit of luck there, but it was a red card.”
When asked if his side are now facing a relegation battle Kenna conceded: “On current form it is yeah. I don’t believe that will be the case but the table doesn’t lie. At the moment our form is deplorable, the longer that goes on it will end up being a relegation battle.”
However he did counter that by saying: “I believe that the players are good enough that it’s not gonna happen, I think we’re gonna be up the other end of the table.”
He also admitted that confidence is now beginning to suffer: “The players are only human, they know things aren’t going well .I have to try and keep them bubbly, keep them lively but they have to play their part in that also. They’ve gotta believe that it’s gonna turn.”
Kenna did also reveal that he will be looking to strengthen during the July transfer window and will be given funds to do so: “I have been given indication of what we’ll be able to do yes. So we do have irons in the fire if you like but that’s a while away yet.”
When asked will current players have to make way to facilitate this he said unequivocally: “Yes, is the short answer to that.”
So there is light at the end of the tunnel for the deflated supporters at The Stadium of Light but that light may still be as far away as July or as close as next Friday night when Sligo Rovers make the journey to Richmond Park.
About Eoin Manning
Eoin Manning has been a part of the extratime.ie reporting team since 2009 and covers the Dublin clubs. Eoin also writes for many of the countries national newspapers and can be contacted at eoinpmanning@gmail.com View Full Profile