Credit:
Galway United -v- Bray Wanderers
- Grace Uhr
- Thu, May 14 2009
Whether he was trying to convince himself or speaking with total confidence, Galway United manager Ian Foster’s adamancy that last week was just a blip on the radar was clear cut. Foster was the first to chastise his squad for an uncharacteristically lacklustre and sloppy performance as they went down to Dundalk 1-0 at Oriel Park last Friday. Tomorrow they will attempt to rectify that display when they host eighth-placed Bray Wanderers at Terryland Park.
“Work rate was the main thing, we just didn't work hard enough, but hopefully we'll bounce back. I'm sure it (last week) was a one off because it was related to work rate and that won't happen again,” Foster said.
However, Bray will also be baying for blood after affording last-placed Drogheda its first win of the season last week in a 1-0 result. Early points are crucial for these two teams who could both find themselves in relegation trouble at the other end of the season, giving both squads plenty to play for tomorrow night.
Last time
Galway found plenty of fortune each time they ventured to the Carlisle Grounds last season and had been heavily favoured to continue this streak when they travelled down there earlier this season for their first round meeting. After 90 minutes though the points were split as a the sides fought out a tireless 2-2 draw, a result Foster admitted was probably fair. “They've got some good players and they probably deserved their point when we played down there,” We had the better of the first half and they probably had the better of the second half.”
Model performance
Arguably United’s strongest performances this season have come in their wins against former manager Jeff Kenna and his St Patrick’s Athletic squad and Foster said they had to look to those games for how they must approach Bray tomorrow.
“We need to kick off the way we did against Pats,” he said. “For whatever reason we didn't do that last week, but we know where we went wrong. We've set ourselves high standards now and when we don't reach them (it's harder). I didn't really have to say anything because they all knew they hadn't performed. We had a bit of a chat in training on Monday.”
Team news
There are both suspension and injury concerns in the Galway camp this week, the main one of these seeing Derek O’Brien missing the game after receiving his fifth yellow card against Dundalk last week. And it would seem ankles are the injury of choice in the west with Shane Fitzgerald, Alan Murphy and Paul Sinnott all missing due to the same complaint. Cian McBrien and Mark O’Toole are expected to feature in their spots, although Foster would not reveal who was taking Derek’s spot on the left wing.
The Seagulls are probably suffering worse their hefty share of suspensions and injuries as well with Chris Deans out following his sending off last week. Stephen Brennan’s hamstring will keep him sidelined with Colm Tesson also troubled by a hamstring problem. Dave Mulcahy broke his nose last week and will be absent as will long term ankle injury victim Derek Pender. Gary Mc Cabe and Derek Foran are also doubtful due to chest infections
