Russell - We're capable of beating St. Pats
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Having seen his side lose out on a scoreline of 3-1 after a gallant effort in Dalymount Park against reigning Champions Bohemians last Friday evening, UCD boss Martin Russell is now looking forward to tonight's league encounter against Pete Mahon's St. Pat's at the UCD Bowl (with a kick-off of 7.45pm). Russell feels his side are capable of winning this encounter, even though they are currently on a run of seven league games without a win.
"We just keep on asking them (the players) the question 'Do they want to play at this level?'. You know, I think the performance in the second half (against UCD) showed that they do", Russell remarked after the game on Friday.
"We know it's not going to be easy, we know any time we go to play Pat's, that's the one we have to concentrate on. But we're looking forward to it. We know that we managed to beat Pat's earlier in the season. It's a game that, if we play to our potential, we're capable of winning".
St. Pat's had started the weekend with a fighting chance of winning the league but, having held an early lead against Shamrock Rovers in Inchicore on Friday, they were eventually beaten 3-1 courtesy of Rovers goals from Gary Twigg, Thomas Stewart and Billy Dennehy. With their title challenge now seeming quite slim, there may be some suggestions that Pat's may take their foot off the gas for this one, but Russell expects his predecessor to send out his side with the intention of getting three points.
"Knowing Pete (Mahon), the way he wants to play, he won't want to give up, and he'll come with his team looking to win. So again, hopefully we'll be involved in a very entertaining game, and this time come out right on the result end of things".
Looking back at the game against Bohs, Russell feels that the greater experience of Pat Fenlon's side proved to be the big difference on the night, but he did take positives out of the way that they tried to play football against the Phisboro-outfit, and is clearly in favour of continuing in this mould in the future.
"They've lads who are established players, and you expect a level of quality from those type of players. For our boys it's still a bit of an experience, especially when you play against Bohs on a good night. We still enjoy nights like this though. We try to entertain and try to play. We didn't sit back and we weren't afraid to have a go".
"We take that and we work with that. You know, the spirit in the second half, even (Chris) Mulhall coming on in the second half, he made an impression. So, there are positives, we have to go with them and push on again".
Recent speculation has seen Russell connected with the Under-19 Ireland managers' job, which is currently up for grabs following the decision not to renew Sean McCaffrey's contract. However, Russell is currently dismissing this as mere rumours, and stated that he hasn't been contacted about the position as of yet.
"That's paper speculation, that's all that is. Again, I'm in a very good club, so I can't say anything more than that. I haven't been offered the job, so I can't really answer", added Russell.
"We just keep on asking them (the players) the question 'Do they want to play at this level?'. You know, I think the performance in the second half (against UCD) showed that they do", Russell remarked after the game on Friday.
"We know it's not going to be easy, we know any time we go to play Pat's, that's the one we have to concentrate on. But we're looking forward to it. We know that we managed to beat Pat's earlier in the season. It's a game that, if we play to our potential, we're capable of winning".
St. Pat's had started the weekend with a fighting chance of winning the league but, having held an early lead against Shamrock Rovers in Inchicore on Friday, they were eventually beaten 3-1 courtesy of Rovers goals from Gary Twigg, Thomas Stewart and Billy Dennehy. With their title challenge now seeming quite slim, there may be some suggestions that Pat's may take their foot off the gas for this one, but Russell expects his predecessor to send out his side with the intention of getting three points.
"Knowing Pete (Mahon), the way he wants to play, he won't want to give up, and he'll come with his team looking to win. So again, hopefully we'll be involved in a very entertaining game, and this time come out right on the result end of things".
Looking back at the game against Bohs, Russell feels that the greater experience of Pat Fenlon's side proved to be the big difference on the night, but he did take positives out of the way that they tried to play football against the Phisboro-outfit, and is clearly in favour of continuing in this mould in the future.
"They've lads who are established players, and you expect a level of quality from those type of players. For our boys it's still a bit of an experience, especially when you play against Bohs on a good night. We still enjoy nights like this though. We try to entertain and try to play. We didn't sit back and we weren't afraid to have a go".
"We take that and we work with that. You know, the spirit in the second half, even (Chris) Mulhall coming on in the second half, he made an impression. So, there are positives, we have to go with them and push on again".
Recent speculation has seen Russell connected with the Under-19 Ireland managers' job, which is currently up for grabs following the decision not to renew Sean McCaffrey's contract. However, Russell is currently dismissing this as mere rumours, and stated that he hasn't been contacted about the position as of yet.
"That's paper speculation, that's all that is. Again, I'm in a very good club, so I can't say anything more than that. I haven't been offered the job, so I can't really answer", added Russell.
About Daire Walsh
Daire Walsh began reporting for Extratime in 2009, when he covered Kildare County's games in the League Of Ireland First Division. He currently reports on games involving the league's Dublin sides and also Bray Wanderers. … View Full Profile