Dundalk midfielder Connor Malley says it’s time to get “back to basics” against Sligo Rovers tonight.
The Lilywhites’ impressive form came screeching to a halt last weekend when they were hit for four by Shamrock Rovers.
Prior to that they had chalked up impressive wins against St Patrick’s Athletic, Shelbourne and Drogheda United, and they held Derry City to a scoreless draw.
“Last week’s result was disappointing,” said former Middlesbrough midfielder Malley, “but highs and lows are a part of the game and I’ve had them both throughout my career.
“We just need to focus on putting it right and the only thing we can do is affect the next game, starting with Sligo on Friday night.
“Some of the goals we gave away against Shamrock Rovers were unacceptable so that's something we're going to have to put right.
“We kept two clean sheets in the games before that which shows we are capable of doing it so it’s about getting back to basics and hopefully, people like myself and the other attacking players who are on the pitch can make a difference at the other end.
“It’s all about a reaction now and I think that will happen. The mood has been good this week.
“I know, and see, how we train every day and what we've got talent-wise and ability wise so I’d always back this group of players to go out and put on performances and win games.”
Dundalk boss Stephen O’Donnell reckons any early-season inconsistency can be put down to players finding their feet in a new environment.
“Sligo Rovers are a bit like ourselves in that they have a few players that are probably a little bit unfamiliar with the League of Ireland,” said O’Donnell.
“But they have also brought in a few from within the league itself.
“They’re a good team with attacking threats and they were unlucky to lose against Bohemians last Saturday in a game that was very much fifty-fifty and that could have gone either way.
“The last time we played them here, it was a 3-3 thriller towards the back end of last season so they'll carry a threat - but so will we.
“If you go through our team, last week’s game was our seventh league fixture and there are a lot of players in our squad who are new to the league and still getting used to it.
“The more games we play, the more familiar we will get with it and the more comfortable the lads will be in their surroundings.
“As I keep saying, I’m happy with the quality we have and the application is good so it’s about getting into a little bit of a rhythm, obviously keeping 11 players on the pitch and getting personnel back from injury so we have a fuller squad to choose from.
“When that happens, we’ll have a better connection between everyone in training and we'll be able to get players up to match fitness and into a pattern of playing 90 minutes.”
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