Pats prepare for Elfsborg

Speaking before St Pats return leg against Elfsborg tomorrow night, manager John McDonnell emphasised the need to attack, despite the 2-2 scoreline they have brought back to Inchicore.

“The most important thing is that we try not to concede a goal. Whether it’s defending deep or playing counter attack, we have to try score first. We definitely need to score.

“I think Elfsborg are a very good team. They’re going to come here and they obviously need to score goals. They’ll probably come at us very early in the game. They’re a very offensive team they will attack.”

When asked directly about playing for a draw, McDonnell was quick to quell any fears of sitting back on the away goal.

“Absolutely not. There’s too much at stake. We have got to try and go and score. If we got through this round, the next game will probably be the most important game in the history of St Pats. We have to try to score first.”

Last Sunday’s victory over Sligo Rovers papered over the cracks of dodgy home form this season and the Pat’s boss admitted as such, but commented on the win as a perfect build up.

“[Our home form] hasn’t been great, even last Sunday. Hopefully it changes around. It’s always nice to go into a game off a victory but [the players] know the task ahead is difficult and they’re going in on high spirits.

“It’s good profile for the players, for me, for my team and for the league. If we can go through it would be fantastic.”

Joe O'Cearuill and captain Jamie Harris are suspended for this tie, however McDonnell admits it’s hard to tell his players to be careful of bookings.

“It’s a difficult one. Players are experienced; you can’t put that into their head. If a tackle needs to be made, you know. They’ve got to see the dangers themselves. They’ve got to make decisions on the pitch themselves; sometimes it can’t always come from the sideline, especially late on.”

Stephen Paisley is regarded as a ‘good deputy’ as captain for Jamie Harris, and McDonnell is welcoming further players back into the side.

“Derek O’Brien might make the bench. He hasn’t been involved but his ankle seems to have healed up. Gary O’Neill played a full game at the weekend so he’ll definitely be in and around the squad. John Murphy didn’t play at the weekend so we’ll have a look at him today. He had a small problem with his back. We’re going to train later on so we’ll have a look but he should be ok. Glen Fitzpatrick trained well this week so we’ll see how he is today.”

Barry Ryan too spoke of the task ahead for the Saints, commenting on the difference between a European tie and an eircom League tie.

“They’re a good side. The first 45 minutes over there they dominated us. But we showed in the second half if you get into them and put pressure on them you can get something. There’s a lot of confidence from [the game] two weeks ago so everyone is looking forward to it.

“You get a lot more time on the ball in Europe than in the eircom League. In the eircom League its in your face all the time but in European games you get time to take a touch or two before you pick out your pass. We’re well equipped for picking out those passes.”

The game kicks off at Richmond Park on Thursday at 19:45