Room for improvement still at Cork
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Tommy Dunne was satisified with Cork City’s 1-1 draw at Lissywoolen on Saturday night, but remained disappointed that they only brought a point back to Leeside after Athlone were reduced to nine-men.
“I think the general reaction inside is that we’re disappointed because of them going down to nine men. I’ve played in games where it can be difficult against nine-men, when they get players behind the ball, it can be difficult to break them down and get the winner.
Although, there is certainly improvements since the teams first game at the Brandywell three weeks ago, Dunne believes there is still room for improvement.
“We finished strongly, but Athlone had chances, so, all in all I think we’re happy with the point. We’re still not where we’d like to be and we’ve got to be able to play a little bit more. At times during the second half I thought we stopped playing but we look quite decent at different times.”
Questions over Dunne’s system are still to be answered, though nobody can argue that at times on Saturday night the away side were leading the line with just one up front.
“It’s not really a 451, it’s more a 433 when you’re attacking. When we’re defending they can drop in but generally from our side of things it gave us that extra man in midfield. It gives us a different option, we’re young and in certain areas of the pitch we need to be a little bit dominant.”
Dunne also gave debuts to two new players – Cathal Lordan and Uros Hojan – and he thought they gave solid performances.
“They did OK. I thought Cathal did quite well in the first half but got tired in the second half; he can play and see a few things. Uros is not a natural left-back but he’s a strong lad. He has played in Sweden and I know from there that they play differently to the way we do.
“I think the general reaction inside is that we’re disappointed because of them going down to nine men. I’ve played in games where it can be difficult against nine-men, when they get players behind the ball, it can be difficult to break them down and get the winner.
Although, there is certainly improvements since the teams first game at the Brandywell three weeks ago, Dunne believes there is still room for improvement.
“We finished strongly, but Athlone had chances, so, all in all I think we’re happy with the point. We’re still not where we’d like to be and we’ve got to be able to play a little bit more. At times during the second half I thought we stopped playing but we look quite decent at different times.”
Questions over Dunne’s system are still to be answered, though nobody can argue that at times on Saturday night the away side were leading the line with just one up front.
“It’s not really a 451, it’s more a 433 when you’re attacking. When we’re defending they can drop in but generally from our side of things it gave us that extra man in midfield. It gives us a different option, we’re young and in certain areas of the pitch we need to be a little bit dominant.”
Dunne also gave debuts to two new players – Cathal Lordan and Uros Hojan – and he thought they gave solid performances.
“They did OK. I thought Cathal did quite well in the first half but got tired in the second half; he can play and see a few things. Uros is not a natural left-back but he’s a strong lad. He has played in Sweden and I know from there that they play differently to the way we do.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile