Waterford FC head coach Danny Searle is concerned that last weekend's result over St Pats in the FAI Cup could be a flash in the pan if his team doesn't build on it this weekend.
The Blues fought their way to a 3-2 win at Richmond Park, knocking out the cup holders in the process but Searle knows that one win counts for naught if they don't start putting results together in the league.
His team are now 11 points off Galway in second place. They have lost three of their last four and this evening they make the trip to Shannonside to face Treaty who have been surging in recent weeks.
A sticking point for Searle since he took charge has been the softness in defence. The Blues have conceded in 7 of their last 10 with the manager noting that none of the goals have been hard-earned.
"It was very mixed emotions" said Searle of his post-game thoughts after St Pats. "When we conceded the second it was a massive test of character for the team because I genuinely believe 4 or 5 weeks ago we could have folded and ended up conceding four or five. From a positive perspective, if conceding two goals meant we got to see that side of our team, then I'm pleased it happened. From a lover of clean sheets perspective, it was criminal. They both came from our play where we've turned it over cheaply. You look back on it and it's playground stuff. That has to be eradicated because since I've been at the club no one has scored a good goal against us."
If that trend is to be bucked tonight in Limerick, the Blues are going to have to do it the hard way. Eddie Nolan continues his absence while goalkeeper Brian Murphy is highly doubtful to start.
On the other end of the park, Wassim Aouachria is suspended while Yassine En-Neyah remains a doubt for selection. Those absences would have been more easily dealt with a month ago, but with the departure of Louis Britton and Cian Kavanagh in recent weeks Searle will need to lean on others for goals.
The action on Shannonside kicks off this evening at 7.45 and we will have updates throughout the evening on WLR.
