Galway United turn to Frantz Pierrot for goals
GALWAY United's new striker, Frantz Pierrot, is believed to have trained with his new team-mates this week and is expected to be part of the match-day squad when the Tribesmen take on Dundalk in Eamonn Deacy Park this Friday night (7.45pm).
The Haitian striker, who turns 27 next month, joins United after being released by Israeli side, Bnei Yehuda, and speaking after the 1-0 defeat to St Patrick's Athletic on Monday night, United manager John Caulfield said Pierrot is in Galway and was due to train on Tuesday.
“Yeah, he's in,” Caulfield said when asked if Pierrot had made it to Ireland, “he's training tomorrow [Tuesday], Wednesday and Thursday, he'll definitely be involved [on Friday].
“I think everyone can see that, you know, if we can get him fit, he'll definitely add to the squad, because of his hold-up play and bringing people into the game.
“We need that, you know, we've been crying out for that since Moses [Dyer] left, and in fairness to other lads, they are good lads but that's not their strength,” he said.
The squad will need some kind of lift after suffering the heartbreak of conceding a late winner on Monday night, the second time in four games that United have been sucker-punched at the death already this season. Caulfield says the home crowd will play a big part in that.
“It's always difficult with the three games in the week, but the only thing about it is our crowd came in last Friday in the massive numbers and we had a lovely win, and we need them again this Friday.
“You know, I think they know the importance of it, I think they understand, there's a new team, and they have been great in getting behind them.
“We need everyone Friday night, we need a massive turnout, and need them right behind the team, because Dundalk have had some exceptional results, you know, drawn away to Rovers and away to Derry.
“They are a very dangerous side, and we need to get our best, so the next few days is about us recovering as good as we can and see if we get our energy levels back up,” he said.
Dundalk have been widely tipped for an immediate return to the First Divison, having come up as champions, but they made a solid start to the season, opening with a trio of draws before a heavy 4-0 defeat to St Pat's last Friday night. They feature former United players like Conor Kearns, Conor O'Keeffe, Bobby Burns, and Aodh Dervin, as well as Galway native, Daryl Horgan