Disappointment in defeats
Credit:
My column is coming to you a day late due to our match versus UCD last night.
Looking back at the fixtures since April 13th, we seem to have played two games a week. Luckily for us, when we have had two games in a week we have never suffered two defeats on the bounce. After two losses in a week, the general feelings around Richmond Park are anger and disappointment. All we can do now is look forward to the next match to put things right.
Friday night, Rovers were the visitors to Inchicore and they brought with them a large contingent of fans for the derby. With the good run of results we have put together recently, there was a large turn out from the home supporters as well. Unfortunately on the night, the only ones who didn’t seem to turn up were the “Pat’s 11”.
Over the 90 minutes, Rovers seemed to be first to everything and throughout the game they were quicker and sharper than us. On the night they were well worth the 2-1 win and in the dressing room afterwards, there was a sense that we had let down the large number of Pats fans that turned up.
Looking at the Rovers' squad, who have come in for some criticism this season, being able to bring Gary Twigg and Dessie Baker off the bench really showed the strength of their squad. Thomas Stewart started as a lone striker and he showed his quality with his two clinical finishes, one in each half.
As I have said on numerous occasions, Rovers are a club who will challenge for the title this season and Friday night just reinforced my opinion. Regarding ourselves, even though there was huge disappointment in the dressing room, Pete told us not to feel sorry for ourselves and move on to Monday.
As most people in Ireland were enjoying the bank holiday weekend, we were up earlier Saturday morning for a recovery session in One Escape gym. Part of our recovery session involves doing training in the swimming pool. We drop spinning bikes in the pool and spend 40 minute doing various exercises on the bikes whilst submerged in the water. It sounds a little bit strange, but is brilliant for the aching body.
Moving on to Monday, the Bowl in UCD is always a tough place for visiting teams and it was no different for us. UCD were coming into the game on the back of a great result in Dalymount and that was evident with the confidence they showed in the opening half.
We started the game with a new formation of 4-3-3 and the new system seemed to be working well, as we had a few decent chances in the opening 20 minutes. As the half went on, UCD started to get a bit of momentum and their goal on 33 minutes was one of the best team goals I have seen all season. The excellent passing and movement leading up to the goal is typical of the style of football Martin Russell has his lads playing this week.
The second half we couldn’t be faulted with effort, and we had a real go at breaking down the UCD defence. In the end they held out and it was more disappointment for us.
Two successive defeats, is a new experience for us this season. In football, you learn a lot about people when things aren’t going well and from my experience the collective disappointment in the dressing room last night it won’t be long till we are back to winning ways.
Friday night, Dundalk will be making the quick trip up the M1 to Dublin. As league leaders they deserve great credit for the way they are playing this season. Not only are they winning games, but they seem to be doing it in style, through good football. I can’t wait for Friday; hopefully we will get back to winning ways.
Looking back at the fixtures since April 13th, we seem to have played two games a week. Luckily for us, when we have had two games in a week we have never suffered two defeats on the bounce. After two losses in a week, the general feelings around Richmond Park are anger and disappointment. All we can do now is look forward to the next match to put things right.
Friday night, Rovers were the visitors to Inchicore and they brought with them a large contingent of fans for the derby. With the good run of results we have put together recently, there was a large turn out from the home supporters as well. Unfortunately on the night, the only ones who didn’t seem to turn up were the “Pat’s 11”.
Over the 90 minutes, Rovers seemed to be first to everything and throughout the game they were quicker and sharper than us. On the night they were well worth the 2-1 win and in the dressing room afterwards, there was a sense that we had let down the large number of Pats fans that turned up.
Looking at the Rovers' squad, who have come in for some criticism this season, being able to bring Gary Twigg and Dessie Baker off the bench really showed the strength of their squad. Thomas Stewart started as a lone striker and he showed his quality with his two clinical finishes, one in each half.
As I have said on numerous occasions, Rovers are a club who will challenge for the title this season and Friday night just reinforced my opinion. Regarding ourselves, even though there was huge disappointment in the dressing room, Pete told us not to feel sorry for ourselves and move on to Monday.
As most people in Ireland were enjoying the bank holiday weekend, we were up earlier Saturday morning for a recovery session in One Escape gym. Part of our recovery session involves doing training in the swimming pool. We drop spinning bikes in the pool and spend 40 minute doing various exercises on the bikes whilst submerged in the water. It sounds a little bit strange, but is brilliant for the aching body.
Moving on to Monday, the Bowl in UCD is always a tough place for visiting teams and it was no different for us. UCD were coming into the game on the back of a great result in Dalymount and that was evident with the confidence they showed in the opening half.
We started the game with a new formation of 4-3-3 and the new system seemed to be working well, as we had a few decent chances in the opening 20 minutes. As the half went on, UCD started to get a bit of momentum and their goal on 33 minutes was one of the best team goals I have seen all season. The excellent passing and movement leading up to the goal is typical of the style of football Martin Russell has his lads playing this week.
The second half we couldn’t be faulted with effort, and we had a real go at breaking down the UCD defence. In the end they held out and it was more disappointment for us.
Two successive defeats, is a new experience for us this season. In football, you learn a lot about people when things aren’t going well and from my experience the collective disappointment in the dressing room last night it won’t be long till we are back to winning ways.
Friday night, Dundalk will be making the quick trip up the M1 to Dublin. As league leaders they deserve great credit for the way they are playing this season. Not only are they winning games, but they seem to be doing it in style, through good football. I can’t wait for Friday; hopefully we will get back to winning ways.
About Damian Lynch
Premier Perspective: Damian Lynch is an extratime.ie columnist giving his views on the current state of the league as well as his own personal performance with St. Patricks Athletic. The Saints' skipper will give his … View Full Profile