Premier the only place for Cockney Rebel
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Although Cork City currently find themselves behind Shelbourne in the First Division ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, left-back Danny Murphy not only believes the Leesiders should be automatically promoted this season but the current squad would also have enough potential to compete near the top of the Premier Division.
“We’ve got a squad at the minute that would even be capable of fighting for a top four place in the Premier Division but we’re not there at the moment and we have to concentrate on where we are and that’s in the First Division,” the Cockney Rebel says. “We now have to concentrate on getting out of that. We’re building the right squad, we’re doing the right things and once we keep playing the way we are then I can’t see why we won’t be there next year.”
City are still unbeaten after six games played but find themselves a point behind Shels with a game extra played. The Tolka Park outfit play Monaghan at home tonight however, so a win for Cork at home to Finn Harps could see them move to the summit of the second tier once again.
On the season so far, Murphy says it has been satisfactory but feels their defensive performances, which have seen them concede just four times, is the biggest positive to date. Once they start taking their chances in front of goal then, surely the Leesiders will sail back into the Premier Division?
“It has gone OK so far. We had a very good pre-season but as a team I think we’re still learning and still gelling together. We’re improving though and playing some decent stuff, but haven’t been taking our chances at the right times so far. The two away draws were disappointing. Against Mervue we just didn’t take our chances, but then again against Monaghan in our last home game we played really well and were unlucky.”
“We’ve hardly conceded any goals so far, which isn’t bad to be honest. We conceded sloppy goals against Monaghan at difficult times but if we can get that out of our system early on in the season, that’s a good thing. I don’t think we’ll have a problem once we keep working as hard as we’re doing.”
The current top two before Series 7 gets underway this evening sees the bookmakers’ pre-season favourites for promotion already in the places they want to be. Murphy, however, knows it won’t be easy with Limerick, Waterford and tonight’s opposition Harps all capable of pulling results out of the hat when necessary.
“I think there are four teams there with a good chance of being promoted. Waterford and Limerick will come good, Shels are obviously decent. Even the likes of Finn Harps have some good players. People are saying it’s between us and Shels, but I’m quite happy to see Shels at the top of the table at the minute, because it’s not as important as being at the top of the league heading into the final few games of the season. That’s when it really matters.
“I know how hard it is to win a league, but I think as a squad we’ve got the basis there to go and do it. This club is a Premier Division club, unlike the other clubs that are there in this division. All the players that have signed here have come with the same aim and that’s to get Cork back in the Premier.
“Let’s be honest, nobody wants to play in this league. Let’s not beat around the bush, I don’t want to be down in the First Division next season. The only reason I’m down here is to get back up there with Cork.”
“We’ve got a squad at the minute that would even be capable of fighting for a top four place in the Premier Division but we’re not there at the moment and we have to concentrate on where we are and that’s in the First Division,” the Cockney Rebel says. “We now have to concentrate on getting out of that. We’re building the right squad, we’re doing the right things and once we keep playing the way we are then I can’t see why we won’t be there next year.”
City are still unbeaten after six games played but find themselves a point behind Shels with a game extra played. The Tolka Park outfit play Monaghan at home tonight however, so a win for Cork at home to Finn Harps could see them move to the summit of the second tier once again.
On the season so far, Murphy says it has been satisfactory but feels their defensive performances, which have seen them concede just four times, is the biggest positive to date. Once they start taking their chances in front of goal then, surely the Leesiders will sail back into the Premier Division?
“It has gone OK so far. We had a very good pre-season but as a team I think we’re still learning and still gelling together. We’re improving though and playing some decent stuff, but haven’t been taking our chances at the right times so far. The two away draws were disappointing. Against Mervue we just didn’t take our chances, but then again against Monaghan in our last home game we played really well and were unlucky.”
“We’ve hardly conceded any goals so far, which isn’t bad to be honest. We conceded sloppy goals against Monaghan at difficult times but if we can get that out of our system early on in the season, that’s a good thing. I don’t think we’ll have a problem once we keep working as hard as we’re doing.”
The current top two before Series 7 gets underway this evening sees the bookmakers’ pre-season favourites for promotion already in the places they want to be. Murphy, however, knows it won’t be easy with Limerick, Waterford and tonight’s opposition Harps all capable of pulling results out of the hat when necessary.
“I think there are four teams there with a good chance of being promoted. Waterford and Limerick will come good, Shels are obviously decent. Even the likes of Finn Harps have some good players. People are saying it’s between us and Shels, but I’m quite happy to see Shels at the top of the table at the minute, because it’s not as important as being at the top of the league heading into the final few games of the season. That’s when it really matters.
“I know how hard it is to win a league, but I think as a squad we’ve got the basis there to go and do it. This club is a Premier Division club, unlike the other clubs that are there in this division. All the players that have signed here have come with the same aim and that’s to get Cork back in the Premier.
“Let’s be honest, nobody wants to play in this league. Let’s not beat around the bush, I don’t want to be down in the First Division next season. The only reason I’m down here is to get back up there with Cork.”
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