O'Brien laments 'sluggish' Waterford
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Waterford United manager Paul O'Brien was disappointed by his team's performance in defeat on Friday night as they went down 1-0 to local rivals Wexford Youths.
Speaking after the game, the Blues boss was evidently frustrated by the home side's inability to pierce a resolute Wexford rear-guard, but defended his tactics for the game.
"Some nights it's ugly out there you know, you try to do the right thing but [sometimes] it doesn't work out on the night. In the first-half I thought our gameplan went out of the window a bit - our decision making, our passing, it was sluggish to say the least."
"They came down, they had nothing to lose, and they just put people behind the ball. They got a chance, a free-kick, and they scored, it's just one of those things. In the second-half I thought we forced them right back [but] we just didn't seem to get the break."
The only goal of the night came courtesy of a stunning free-kick by former Waterford Under-20s player Ben Ryan. As the youth team's former coach, O'Brien was not surprised by Ryan's talents. "We knew about Ben beforehand, he takes all their set-pieces; he's a good player. He's probably the most decent player they have, you know, and he took a great free-kick."
Waterford's league struggles will be put briefly on hold following Friday's defeat, with Premier League giants Liverpool arriving on Suirside for a glamour friendly tomorrow night. O'Brien is grateful for the experience and the boost to the club's coffers but admits he will be maintaining a firm grip on his main priority, guiding his team back up the First Division table.
"Well I'll just be looking at it as a training session. I mean to say, it's good for the club that Liverpool has come along but from my point of view I'll be thinking further on, I'll be thinking about the next game."
Waterford United will face a Liverpool XI on Wednesday night at the RSC, with a sold-out crowd of over 4000 fans expected to be in attendance.
Speaking after the game, the Blues boss was evidently frustrated by the home side's inability to pierce a resolute Wexford rear-guard, but defended his tactics for the game.
"Some nights it's ugly out there you know, you try to do the right thing but [sometimes] it doesn't work out on the night. In the first-half I thought our gameplan went out of the window a bit - our decision making, our passing, it was sluggish to say the least."
"They came down, they had nothing to lose, and they just put people behind the ball. They got a chance, a free-kick, and they scored, it's just one of those things. In the second-half I thought we forced them right back [but] we just didn't seem to get the break."
The only goal of the night came courtesy of a stunning free-kick by former Waterford Under-20s player Ben Ryan. As the youth team's former coach, O'Brien was not surprised by Ryan's talents. "We knew about Ben beforehand, he takes all their set-pieces; he's a good player. He's probably the most decent player they have, you know, and he took a great free-kick."
Waterford's league struggles will be put briefly on hold following Friday's defeat, with Premier League giants Liverpool arriving on Suirside for a glamour friendly tomorrow night. O'Brien is grateful for the experience and the boost to the club's coffers but admits he will be maintaining a firm grip on his main priority, guiding his team back up the First Division table.
"Well I'll just be looking at it as a training session. I mean to say, it's good for the club that Liverpool has come along but from my point of view I'll be thinking further on, I'll be thinking about the next game."
Waterford United will face a Liverpool XI on Wednesday night at the RSC, with a sold-out crowd of over 4000 fans expected to be in attendance.
About Dean Hayes
Dean covers Waterford United and, due to a challenge from Gareth, writes in an increasingly Gonzo style. Having found himself with a considerable surplus of a culinary herb, Dean founded sister 'site extrathyme.ie some years … View Full Profile