McCaffrey insists he needs time.

Dundalk slumped to their fourth league defeat in a row last night following a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Monaghan United. Despite going in front after just 23 seconds, the home side missed a hat full of chances in the first half and were duly punished as Jordan Keegan hit a second half double to give Monaghan all three points. Speaking to *ExtraTime.ie* after the match, Dundalk manager Sean McCaffrey was understandably disappointed with the result and rues the missed chances in the first half.

"Disappointed, disillusioned but that's it. In fairness to them (Dundalk players), they played well. I thought they did play well. I thought we could have come in at half-time three up. Second half, like we always do, no matter how much you get onto them about concentration, they lose it. So many matches we’ve conceded goals in the first ten minutes of the second half.

"It was a stupid goal. We lost possession and then we didn't close the ball. It was a good finish from the young fella, but you know it's too easy to give away goals like that."

McCaffrey was frustrated with the goals that the Lilywhites gave away and was annoyed with the lack of concentration shown in the second half.

"We gave them the two chances. They didn't create anything. They were handed to them and even with that we had two or three chances we should have put away and we didn't. It's as simple as that. Defensively we were poor again.

"We've conceded more goals than any team in the league so our problems are defensive. Today it was concentration because we defended well in the first half but those two goals were shocking goals to give away."

The Lilywhites boss then admitted that the result isn't good enough but was happy that the performance was better.

"No it's not (good enough) but the performance was better. I know people are getting frustrated, but how would you like to be us? Training four, five days a week, preparing for every match putting so much effort in and then to give away two goals like that, it's just so frustrating."

Overall, though, McCaffrey was happy with the performance and proclaimed that his were the better side on the night.

"Yes I wanted to win tonight, I want to win every night but it was a decent performance tonight regardless of who we were playing. Physical disadvantage all over the park. We still knocked the ball around well, created loads of chances and should have won the game. We were the better side."

McCaffrey once again pleaded for time and said that the players are just as frustrated as the fans.

"I can understand the fans frustration, but we said to the supporters at the start that it's about time and being patient. Frustrated and all as the supporters are, I can assure you they aren't half as frustrated as we are."

The Monaghan native was adamant though that he isn't going to abandon ship but isn't sure if he will get time.

"We have to keep working. I can't decide if I'm going to get time or not. I'm certainly not going to quit, I'm not going to walk away from it. I'm not going to let the verbal abuse I'm getting annoy me. I know what I'm doing.

When questioned on the personal abuse he was getting, McCaffrey responded with "Are you deaf?" before going on to say "I don't want to talk about it. There's three or four constantly shouting abuse, maybe they'll do us a favour some week and cross the wall!"

Once again the topic of the budget came up and the 52 year-old was quick to dismiss suggestions that other clubs have smaller budgets. He also spoke that he wants to build a structure within the club which needs time.

"We have a bigger budget (than Bray Wanderers, Drogheda, Monaghan United) for definite? I'm sure nobody is getting paid cash. The other thing is that when we have a young team we need time. It's about building a structure in the club, that we've got a good side and a good system of young players. Through that we push players on and other players taking their place. If you want short term success take out

the cheque book."

McCaffrey went on to compare situations from last season and claimed the budget was 2.5k bigger last season. When asked why he didn't make more of an effort to sign some of the experienced players from last year’s squad his responded with "Offer a contract to Jason Byrne? I'm not sure what he's on with Bray Wanderers. Keith Ward wanted to go to Bohs. Simon Madden isn't good enough so I'm happy he's gone."