With a crucial SSE Airtricity League first division clash against UCD looming tomorrow at Eamonn Deacy Park (7.45pm ), Galway United manager John Caulfield remains adamant that his players can enjoy a productive campaign.
Last Friday Wilson Waweru’s late equaliser ensured the Tribesmen divided the spoils with a rugged Treaty United outfit on the banks of the Corrib.
A tussle with UCD, armed with plenty of impressive talent including former United midfielder Donal Higgins, is next on the agenda for Caulfield’s charges.
“I believe in these lads, I see them every day in training,” Caulfield says. “They work so hard and they really want to improve and be successful.
“Treaty, I had been saying all week that I had watched them a number of times. They are a very strong and competitive team with a fair bit of skill.
“We were one down, but we kept battling and in the end Wilson was in the right place at the right time. While it was a great point to get all things considered, we had dominated the game. In some regards you could nearly say the lads are trying too hard, that can happen.
“It is very early days, the most important thing for us is that over the next period of time is to get a bit more consistency in our game. Obviously on Friday we are against UCD, who have been heavy scorers. We know it will be difficult, but it is a game we are really looking forward to also.”
Caulfield believes patience will be required, but wants United to be more clinical converting chances.
“It is a bit of a cliche, but you earn the right on the pitch, if you have any flaw in your game or you don't start well, and then concede you put yourself under pressure,” Caulfield adds.
“A couple of times already this year we have done that. However, on the pitch we have played three matches - drawing two.
“Despite the fact that some people think we should be doing better the way I look at it is we have a new group, who have gone to full time training which takes a bit of adapting to. We have a very good structure in place, I would be very happy with most aspects of our game.
“We are creating chances, maybe not putting them away as we should be, but there is no doubt in my mind that will come.”
Ronan Manning’s return following injury in the Treaty encounter was a significant boost according to Caulfield.
“I think we all know Ronan Manning's potential,” Caulfield replies. “He is an exceptionally creative player, he missed most of pre-season so it was brilliant for him to get 60 minutes under his belt.
“Over the next three or four weeks he will get up to full speed, I'm quite confident Ronan will show what a great player he is. We have given him his first bit of game time and we are very happy with that. In certain stages of the match he was really, really good, and he will get better.”
Caulfield was also encouraged by the contributions of Colin Kelly and Waweru in the closing stages of the Treaty draw.
“Colin has come in, he has worked really, really hard,” Caulfield says. “He has got physically stronger, he has got tuned in with the high intensity of the matches. He is learning really quickly, he is a really intelligent player, a really good lad. He has the head down, he is learning quickly, and we have high hopes for him. I think he will feature a lot more as the season goes on.
“Wilson came in he made a great impact too getting his second goal of the season. Mikey Place did well when he came in, Mikie Rowe too, you need impact, you need guys coming off the pitch to make an impact. They all did, I'm happy with the attitude of the lads.”
