Lethargic performance riles Galway boss

Galway United's last two away games have produced identical results but starkly contrasting emotions from the club's manager Ian Foster.

Following the defeat in Turner's Cross, the Liverpudlian concentrated on the work ethic of his side and said at the time - "We nullified them and got in their faces, played at a high tempo, and we’re really pleased with how we did. We kept pushing, we kept fighting, and I’m delighted."

Compare this to a deflated, frank assessment of Friday night's loss, a game in which his side, as at Turner's Cross, failed to create any decent goalscoring opportunities.

"We just weren’t at it tonight, for whatever reason, I really can’t put my finger on it at the moment. We didn’t start the game well," Foster admitted. "We didn’t press high enough up the pitch. We didn’t close down well. We didn’t have a tackle and when we were in possession we didn’t keep it well enough. I’ll take responsibility for some of it but we just had 11 individuals out there tonight, unfortunately, and that’s the first time that’s happened this season.

"We didn’t start well. The minimum requirement in this game is hard work and if you don’t work hard you don’t deserve to get anything out of the game," Foster said.

The man who took over from Jeff Kenna when the Dubliner eloped to Richmond Park had up until this point consistently defended his players and tactics when any suggestion of criticism was aimed at them, but on Friday it was clear from his demeanour that this loss had hurt more than any his side had suffered so far.

"That’s as inept a performance as we’ve had all season. We just didn’t start. That’s why I’m so disappointed. I don’t mind getting beat – well I do – but I don’t mind in the right manner.

"I think that’s the first time we’ve not really had a go. Even at times when we’ve had sloppy periods in games we’ve reacted well. In Cork, even though we lost the game, we reacted well. Derry, first half we were poor but reacted very well. I’m not going to go over the top and moan too much. The players have been excellent this season but tonight they were just way off where they can play. There was just nothing tonight and I’ll work that out and I’ll make sure we’re better next Friday."

A double substitution before the hour mark didn't produce the desired result -"I tried to get players on the pitch to make a difference, but if you don’t run about you don’t make a difference" - but Foster was keen to reject any suggestion that one of the withdrawn, Michael McGrath, had shown him dissent in the dugout but that the former Kidderminster Harriers player was instead reacting to an incident that had occurred moments before on the pitch.

An added sour note to Friday's loss was another booking for Derek O'Brien which will see him serve a suspension in the near future. Both the winger and defender Garry Breen picked up yellow cards for dissent. As annoyed as the manager was by this, ultimately the players will be the ones hit hardest.

"They’ll both be fined heavily," Foster explained. "That’s the second time they’ve been booked for dissent. I won’t have it. They know the fines. And their’s will be doubled."

A feature of Galway's early season displays have been how they have emerged from the dressing room for the second half with enthusiasm and a purpose. Even this was sorely missing on Friday.

"I had a go at them at half time. I didn’t see any reaction. That we didn’t get out of our half for the first three minutes of the second half epitomised what we were about, and we kicked off. We just didn’t do things right all over the pitch. We need to get back on the training ground and work hard at what we’re good at and concentrate on those things."