It’s the ‘dirty dozen’ for hapless United as bad results continue

Date Published: {J}

Galway United 0

Bray Wanderers 3

Keith Kelly

GALWAY United racked up a ‘dirty dozen’ on Friday night as Sean Connor’s side equalled a club record 12 consecutive defeats, and with a trip to defending champions and current league leaders Shamrock Rovers next on the agenda, if there is a light at the tunnel, it is that of a fast-approaching train.

United started fairly well on Friday, but it was false hope as once the visitors got into the game midway through the first half, they completely dominated proceedings and the feeling is Bray boss Pat Devlin was being kind when he said the scoreline was harsh on the hosts, for Greg Fleming had to produce a couple of fine stops to keep some semblance of respectability to the outcome.

United’s wretched current run began the week after Connor gave his side a public lashing for their performance in the 1-1 draw with Drogheda United back in early April, in which he threatened to show players the door in the July transfer window if performances didn’t improve. If he carries out that threat, he’ll be left with just two or three players in a couple of weeks.

There is an understandable lack of confidence in the squad, given the run of results, but that doesn’t excuse a failure in the basics of the game. It is one thing to be outclassed in the skills department, but the least you should expect of your sides is that they can pass, cross, mark and tackle.

Sadly, there has been consistent evidence this season that those basics are beyond this current crop of United players, especially when it comes to marking opponents at set-pieces – two of the three Bray goals came from set-pieces on Friday night as once again defenders failed to stay with their man, or were guilty of ball-watching.

A crowd of 695 on Friday night was a disappointment, but on the other hand, those who continue to turn up every second week deserve enormous credit as United lurch from one shocking collective performance to another.

The lack of communication on the pitch is also unforgiveable – either Connor has failed to address this on the training ground, or else the players are ignoring his instructions, but if he is able to bring in players during the transfer window, he needs to bring in some real leaders and forsake the temptation to bring in more of the players who he has worked with before, as they are clearly not doing the business for United.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.