Galway United manager John Caulfield is looking forward to tomorrow’s crucial SSE Airtricity League first division encounter against Treaty United at Eamonn Deacy Park (7.45pm ).
With four of United’s next five league fixtures on home turf, Caulfield wants his team to deliver at the Corribside venue.
“Due to the Covid scenario the fact that there are no crowds makes it a bit surreal,” Caulfield says. “I don't think home advantage has the same impact as it would if you had a couple of thousand people in Eamonn Deacy Park.
“Certainly it helps you aren't travelling and you're based with the games on your doorstep, but at the same time I don't think the advantage of being at home is as big now as it is with crowds. You still need to put points on the board, I think it is a league where all of the teams have improved.
“As you can see with all of the results even after three games no team has taken full points which shows every team is taking points off each other. Probably that is the type of league it is going to be this year.”
Last Friday United’s clash with Cabinteely was postponed just over two hours before kick off due to Covid issues in the Dublin club.
“On Thursday evening it was widely rumoured so the disappointing thing from our point of view is that we travelled, we had in our heads to play the match and then at 5.30pm the game was called off,” Caulfield states.
“It was strange that it took so long for the game to be called off, that is frustrating. It happened, we got back into training on Saturday and now all of our focus is on Treaty.”
Challenges, though, continue to arrive thick and fast in a hugely competitive campaign. “That is the brilliant thing about it - the game was called off last Friday and it was frustrating - but straight away you are back into training the following day,” Caulfield responds.
“Your eyes are on the next match, you are playing every Friday night and that is brilliant. Straightaway the focus changes.”
Former United players Tadhg Ryan, Marc Ludden, Jack Lynch, Joe Collins, and Conor Melody are in the Treaty squad which provides another dimension to the upcoming tussle according to Caulfield.
“We have watched them in the three games and we know a lot about them,” Caulfield says. “Marc Ludden and Jack Lynch were part of our squad last year that had such a great run in the play-offs.
“They have Tadhg Ryan in goal, a former Galway United 'keeper too. So we know a lot about them, they are playing well, they aren't conceding goals. They have only conceded one in the first three matches, they are physically strong, they are very good at set pieces.
“It is a local game with a lot of ex Galway United players in their camp, we have a few Limerick lads in Shane Duggan and Killian Brouder.”
Following the Athlone Town defeat and Cabinteely match being called off, Caulfield remains confident that United can enjoy a productive stint.
“It was frustrating not to play last Friday,” Caulfield adds. “After the week before the lads were bursting to get back out on to the pitch. We know what Treaty's strengths are so we need to play with a high energy and a high tempo. Ultimately we need to score goals.
“We have been giving reasonably good performances, obviously the Athlone one was disappointing. At the same time they are a great bunch of lads, they are a new team. They are working hard and I'm optimistic this team will still be a very good team for the club.”
