United's tactical approach comes unstuck against Drogheda

Drogheda United 1

On a day when the people of Ireland gave an emphatic response at the ballot box, Galway United answered a question of their own on Friday night - unlike the outcome of the referendum, the reply in Eamonn Deacy Park was an emphatic ‘No’.

It was a ‘No’ as to whether or not United’s players can consistently deliver against the top sides in the bottom tier of the domestic league; it was a ‘No’ to the tactic of playing a 3-5-2 formation; it was a ‘No’ as to whether the players are being played in their best position; it was a ‘No’ to attractive football; and it was a ‘No’ to the hopes of promotion.

United played with great urgency, moving the ball quickly and getting bodies forward - but only after they had gone behind in the 77th minute. Where was that attitude earlier in the game?

Some people said it was a harsh assessment, but United got exactly what they deserved on Friday night. They are still just five points behind league-leaders UCD, and have a game in hand, but that kind of performance last Friday suggests United wouldn’t have a Retainers chance in a referendum of winning a promotion play-off, and having taken just six points form a possible 21 in games against the other top six sides, wining the actual title is, on current form, beyond them.

Shane Keegan will argue that his 3-5-2 formation does work, as it delivered a 2-0 win at home to UCD just a fortnight earlier, but if it was understandable to try that same system again from the start on Friday, it was absolutely baffling to stick with that game plan when it became obvious it clearly wasn’t working.

What’s the point in bringing wingers like Carlton Ubaezuonu and Stephen Kenny into the club if you are going to play two wing-backs? What’s the point in bringing Ryan Connolly back to the club if you are going to play him deep in midfield, and not in the hole just off the front man, which is where he is at his most potent?

Full report in this week's Connacht Tribune