Dundalk head coach Vinny Perth was left to bemoan a couple of defensive errors following the 2-1 loss to Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds on Tuesday night.
Patrick Hoban put Dundalk ahead but goals either side of the break from Andre Wright and Lewis Banks secured Liam Buckley’s side their second victory over the Lilywhites this season.
A return of four points from the last eight league games has left Dundalk in ninth position but, speaking to dundalkfc.com after the game, Perth said there were positive signs, particularly in his side’s first-half display. Here’s what he had to say.
On the result…
“I know some people will be jumping up and down and complaining but there were some strong performances and it’s a game we shouldn’t have lost. We made two errors from set-pieces and a goalkeeping error has, unfortunately, cost us. We just have to accept it and move on.”
On missing chances in the early stages…
“We’ve let ourselves down in front of goal a little bit and if we had put those chances away, it would have taken the pressure off the errors.”
On conceding just two minutes after going in front…
“It was a poor goal. The lads just never got set up and that’s so unlike some of our players. It’s really poor but we have to learn from it.”
Garry Buckley and John Mahon, left, of Sligo Rovers in action against Sonni Nattestad of Dundalk during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match at The Showgrounds. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
On Cameron Yates’ absence…
“Cameron landed awkwardly on his knee on Monday. It was his last save of the day. He was really hurt and we won’t know the damage for another 24 hours or so. When things aren’t going your way, they aren’t going your way.“
On the club’s injury list…
“There were signs of things that gave me hope but you need a bench and if you don’t have a bench, you won’t win games of football in this league.
“I accept commentary about the team, the club, and where we’re at but it has to be balanced and if there is no balance we won’t accept where we are. This team was outstanding five or six weeks ago but it’s not the same team. We have been decimated.”
On Friday night’s FAI Cup tie with Finn Harps…
“Michael Duffy needed that game in his legs before Friday and he has got it. Sean Murray needed to prove a bit of fitness and he did it. He wasn’t fit to start but that will help him for the cup game against Finn Harps.”
On the remainder of the league season…
“I thought Andy Boyle was outstanding at times and young Mayowa Animasahun came on and was really good again. There are positives. I see them. I understand other people don’t but they just have to trust us.
“We have 10 league games left and I’d like to think that four, maybe five, players might return on Friday week for the home game with Sligo Rovers. That has to be the start of a run of picking up points. We’re capable of doing that.”
