Promotion the goal for Mathews
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
New Shelbourne manager Alan Mathews was clear about the objective for
his team in the rest of this season- “to try and get out of this
league.”
Mathews, speaking to extratime.ie after his side’s 2-1 home defeat to Derry City, outlined how promotion is (understandably) highly sought- after “everyone’s chasing the Holy Grail- to try and get out. Derry look as if they’re probably going to win it and fair play to them.”
“There’s play-off spots to be played for and there’s a lot of matches still to be played. We just need to make sure we take each game as it comes, and the game next week becomes the most important. We have to try our best every week, and if we can’t get up then get into a play- off. That’s where our objectives lie- to try and get into a position where we can give ourselves a chance of promotion.”
Shelbourne took the lead after just two minutes against Derry and at times played with more fluency and flair than have been seen in Tolka Park in recent times.
Asked if he had implemented any major changes to have his side play in a different style, Mathews was characteristically frank:
“We’ve worked on a few things during the week, but they’re not rocket science. The attitude of the players has been excellent- they are a good bunch.”
Mathews also stated how his side owe a debt to caretaker manager Collie O’Neill and his staff. “They (the team) have worked very very hard to get themselves into a position where they can challenge. And we give great credit to Collie and the people who have been working hard over the last few weeks to get those results.”
Reacting to his side’s giving away of a one-goal lead against Derry, Mathews said: “it’s just disappointing because I didn’t feel we deserved to lose that game. The players have responded really well. A good side now will bounce back properly and will go for it next week. You give credit to Derry, they’re a good side. But on another night a draw, I feel, would have been a fair result.”
Mathews, speaking to extratime.ie after his side’s 2-1 home defeat to Derry City, outlined how promotion is (understandably) highly sought- after “everyone’s chasing the Holy Grail- to try and get out. Derry look as if they’re probably going to win it and fair play to them.”
“There’s play-off spots to be played for and there’s a lot of matches still to be played. We just need to make sure we take each game as it comes, and the game next week becomes the most important. We have to try our best every week, and if we can’t get up then get into a play- off. That’s where our objectives lie- to try and get into a position where we can give ourselves a chance of promotion.”
Shelbourne took the lead after just two minutes against Derry and at times played with more fluency and flair than have been seen in Tolka Park in recent times.
Asked if he had implemented any major changes to have his side play in a different style, Mathews was characteristically frank:
“We’ve worked on a few things during the week, but they’re not rocket science. The attitude of the players has been excellent- they are a good bunch.”
Mathews also stated how his side owe a debt to caretaker manager Collie O’Neill and his staff. “They (the team) have worked very very hard to get themselves into a position where they can challenge. And we give great credit to Collie and the people who have been working hard over the last few weeks to get those results.”
Reacting to his side’s giving away of a one-goal lead against Derry, Mathews said: “it’s just disappointing because I didn’t feel we deserved to lose that game. The players have responded really well. A good side now will bounce back properly and will go for it next week. You give credit to Derry, they’re a good side. But on another night a draw, I feel, would have been a fair result.”
About Niall Farrell
Niall Farrell is our correspondent at Tolka Park, covering the goings-on at Shelbourne. You can visit Niall's website for further information and contact details- niallf.net. View Full Profile