Waterford FC begin their competitive campaign for 2022 when they travel to Markets Field tonight to face Treaty United in the Munster Cup.
The Blues have had a positive pre-season under new manager Ian Morris, as he has a 100% record to date - notching a 5-0 win at Cobh Ramblers before an impressive display in their 2-1 victory over Dundalk at the weekend.
The Munster Cup provides an opportunity to lift some silverware, and Morris is happy with the levels that his players have performed to so far. He says everyone has been working tirelessly to date.
“We keep on saying, can we transfer what we’ve done onto the training ground on the pitch? We’ve seen glimpses of it and real quality in our play, both with and without the ball. That’s really pleasing for us to see. The staff are working tirelessly behind the scenes, it’s coming out in our play. We just need to keep pushing the standards, keep the hunger and desire going - once the boys keep performing on the pitch, everyone’s happy.”
Whether it’s pre-season or a competitive fixture, the former Shelbourne boss wants to see high standards in his squad and their play. He says the current fixture schedule provides his players an opportunity to stake their claim for starting places when they open their league season away to Athlone in two weeks.
“The messages and demands are still the same. It’ll be no different going down to Market’s Field. We’re going down looking for a performance and we’re going to try and win the game. Whatever team we put out, it’s minutes in legs. I keep telling the players, there is nothing set in stone. There’s no team that we have ready to go on the 18th of February against Athlone. It’s get out there, perform to the best of your ability and put yourself in a position to start the first game of the season.”
Morris believes that pre-season has changed in the past few years, but it has given him the opportunity to emphasise what way he wants his team to play.
“Every time you step on the pitch, you want to perform. The game has changed, it used to be that you’re coming into pre-season to get fit. Now, you’re fitter and just honing in your skills and craft and working on what way you want to play. Them demands haven’t changed from the in-house games in week two and three into the last couple of games that we’ve played against other opposition.”
While these games are far from life and death issues, the new Blues boss has stressed the importance of getting minutes into legs. He noted that it’s important that the entire squad is utilised, as they need to be at the peak of their powers when called upon at crunch time.
“There’s two factors - one, you want to win every single game. Two - you need to make sure that everyone is going to play minutes and that the squad are all coming up. When it does come to the first game of the season, we want everyone firing and everyone in a position where they can come in and play. If you don’t start the game, you’re going to need to be at a level where if you come onto the pitch, you have to impact the game.”
Reflecting on Saturday’s victory against Dundalk, Morris was delighted with most of what he saw against the Lilywhites. He wasn’t particularly happy with the manner in which the Blues conceded, but hopes that’s something that will iron itself out in time.
“There was a lot of good things. We had a five minute spell where we switched off slightly and they got a goal which was really poor from our point of view. That’s what we’re here to work on. We’ve got the time to rectify those mistakes. It’s based upon better communication and positioning. That’s all it is. We’ve touched upon it, worked on it, watched the video. Hopefully, it’s reared it’s head in January - and we won’t see it as we go on.”
Kick off at Markets Field is at 7.30 this evening and we’ll have updates on WLR courtesy of Ray Scott.
