Waterford FC boss Kevin Sheedy has not had a glittering start to his time at the RSC.
Five games and one win will never tell the tale that any manager wants to write - especially a first time senior head coach.
Previous stints with Tranmere Rovers, Everton U18's and Al-Shabab youths are a very different experience to being the head coach at Waterford FC.
The Italia 90 goal scorer is now front and centre, albeit at a social distance with empty stands at the Kilbarry venue and no Block E to provide the soundtrack.
Photo Credit Noel Browne
The early going for Sheedy and assistant manager Mike Newell has seen them on the road for three games while playing in Waterford twice, but maybe home advantage is something that can be discounted for the moment.
The stats tell a story of a team that just short of the mark, in each game. They are yet to be played out of a game, but also, haven't dominated for 90 minutes either.
Each defeat, and indeed the lone win have been thanks to 1 goal differentials. (Drogheda 1 - 0 Waterford, Waterford 0 - 2 Sligo, Derry 1 - 2 Waterford, Finn Harps 2 - 1 Waterford, Waterford 0 - 1 Bohemians).
Photo Credit Noel Browne
Sheedy has called for patience and a willingness to let the team adjust to playing with each other.
"That's the next stage in in the development - we're still in all the games and we've got to learn how to deal with being in front, we've got to learn how to, you know, go and win games, and it takes a period of time for this mentality. We can't ask for more from the players than what they give on the training ground and the commitment in the games."
"So you know, we're confident that the results will turn sooner rather than later."
Photo Credit Noel Browne
Patience is one thing few managers are afforded. It's a results industry and performances count for nought when points aren't being put on the board. With this new management team inn place on Suirside, how much time should be afforded before judgement is made? Many will have already made their mind up - but the manager is confident that he is still firmly in the early stages of developing his squad.
"When we first came over, we had eight players that had signed - three of those were goalkeepers. So we've basically, you know, built a squad up from from that base. It's always going to take time, you know, the individuals; they've improved since we've started working with them."
"Disappointed in the games, in that every game we've played, we've been been in the game all the time, you know, we've never not been in a position to either win or draw a game."
"It takes time, but we working hard on the training ground, we've seen the improvement in the individuals, and collectively, and it's just it takes time for young players to gel and to get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. So certainly, you know, we're looking to get more points on the board, and just keep improving, and we'll see where that gets us."
Photo Credit Noel Browne
The biggest talking point of the Sheedy/Newell era thus far came last Friday night and the Boh's game at the RSC.
The veteran goalkeeper Brian Murphy was dropped with debutant Paul Martin putting on his gloves instead. Speculation and rumour was rife, with the manager not answering questions on the subject post-game. Speaking to WLR Sport, Sheedy has clarified his position on Murphy.
"We've been fair to all the squad, we've said, you know, we're big believers, if you're good enough, you're old enough. We've seen Paul Martin in training and he's been training really really well, and at some stage, he needs the opportunity to play. We just felt it was the right time to give him his debut. I have to say he was outstanding on the night. A cruel goal to to concede, but certainly everything he did, he showed us what he could do, and he stayed in the game. So you know, he deserved the opportunity."
"You’re putting them in that situation because you've got to find out if they can deal with the mental side of the game. I've seen a lot of plays in in my career that were really talented on the training ground, but when it comes to you know match situations they're unable to do in games what they do on the training ground - so it is a big part of the game, the mental side of it and you know, Paul coped with that excellently."
Photo Credit Noel Browne
While the issue with Oscar Brennan was cleared up by the club this past weekend.
This evening, a greater challenge faces the team than they will have faced yet this season. St Pats are second from top and until last weekend, had sat in first 0- winning three of their five games and drawing twice.
No one has put more than 1 goal past Pats yet and with the Blues yet to score a goal from open play, tonight's match will prove a huge challenge to claim a point.
Sheedy is well aware of what they are up against
"We know their strengths and what they're good at, you know, we're a young side improving. So we're looking to go there to put in a real good performance. We've been fortunate in recent games, we've conceded late goals, but you can't fault the effort and commitment to players are showing, and obviously, were improving on the training ground."
"We're just looking to see a much improved performance, and hopefully we can get some points on the board."
"As long as we're seeing improvements- we know what the players are capable of, we won't ask them to do anything they’re not capable or what they show us in training, we just want to see more consistency in the games and I'm sure once that comes, then performances will improve."
"Results will improve and you know - we will be moving forward."
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