Connor raises the stakes for players
Date Published: 24-Jun-2010
Keith Kelly
GALWAY United manager Sean Connor is expecting his side to climb up the table in the second half of the season, which resumes tonight with a trip to Drogheda United (kick-off 7.45pm) after a two-week mid-season break.
The United squad returned to training this week after being granted 10 days off, and Connor says the break has re-energised the players, who are targeting a major push up the table and away from the relegation play-off spots which they currently occupy.“
The lads have been great in training, there is a great atmosphere in the squad at the moment and they are really looking forward to getting back to competitive action. The squad is starting to gel very well now, you can see the belief system getting in place, and I really feel we can mount a big push up the table in the second half of the season.“I think it did take us the first half of the season to gel, but I think things are going in the right direction.
Last year, United got off to a great start but then struggled in the second half of the season. This time, we have been building slowly, and I am looking for a big improvement now, especially with some key games coming up,” Connor told Tribune Sport yesterday.
Two of United’s next three games are against the sides below them in the table – as well as tonight’s game against Drogheda, United host bottom of the table Bray Wanderers on Monday week, with a game away to table toppers St Patrick’s Athletic sandwiched in between next Friday, July 2.
Connor says wins over Drogheda and Bray will push United clear of the foot of the table, and with just seven points separating first and seventh, he still firmly believes the squad can achieve European football next season.
Those chances were given a boost this week with the news that Anto Flood’s proposed move to a Cypriot club had fallen through, and while there is some disappointment for the player, Connor is obviously delighted that his front pairing of Flood and Karl Sheppard – who between them have scored 10 of United’s 16 goals in the league – will not be split up, at least for now.
“While it is disappointing for Anto, I am obviously delighted to be able to say he will be staying with us for the rest of the season. I think we have a good squad here, and I will do everything in my power to hold onto my players, but revenue needs to improve in order to do that.
“I don’t want to sell any players, and am not under any pressure yet to do so, but if I do have to release players it will be because it is in the best interests of the club and for no other reason. If people want a top flight club and want us to push for Europe, we need to improve our gates.
“There has been firm interest in three of my players, but I don’t want them to go and they are enjoying their time here and what we are trying to achieve. If we want to keep them, we need to increase revenue,” he said.