Another busy and important SSE Airtricity League first division weekend beckons for Galway United, who face two crucial fixtures.
Tomorrow United travel to the City Calling Stadium to face Longford Town (7.45pm ), and on Monday Shane Keegan's charges make the long trek to St Colman's Park for a clash against Cobh Ramblers.
Keegan is demanding a response following last Friday's bitterly disappointing 1-0 defeat to Drogheda United at Eamonn Deacy Park.
"Obviously we were very disappointed with last week. We were just getting into a really good groove, a good run, and getting close to where we want to be," say Keegan. "It was tough to take another knock back, but the only positive from this group so far is that every time they have been beaten, they have responded with a couple of wins straight away. That is testament to their attitude and we are certainly going to need to come away with a fair few points from the weekend.
"If it is not two wins, you would be looking to get four points out of the weekend, that is for sure. It isn't easily done with two tough away games."
Earlier in the campaign Longford produced a fine footballing display when dividing the spoils with United in the west and Keegan is an admirer of their approach under manager Neale Fenn.
"In fairness to them they are a fine footballing side. They have been playing some of the best football in the division and showed that against ourselves. We will have to be better than we were the last time we played against them.
"They have some lovely technical players, and I'm a major fan of young Aodh Dervin, who has come into their team in the middle of the field. Sam Verdon has been fantastic for them, we have a little bit of a boost with Chris Mulhall being ruled out through suspension. He has been doing very well for them as well, but having said that, they will have Dean Byrne probably coming in and he has been doing well in that position with any opportunities he has got.
"One other thing they have is serious strength in depth. Look at their bench on any given week and you are looking at names such as Darren Meenan and Dean Zambra, guys like that, who have regularly been on the pitch. That is serious strength in depth to have."
With games against Longford, Cobh, Finn Harps, and Wexford FC before the mid season break Keegan wants United to accumulate points quickly."You would be looking at trying to head into that break in the top three minimum to be honest. You are going to need to be picking up in and around nine points possibly from the 12 that are available between now and the break to put yourself in that type of position.
"By Tuesday morning we are all back even again in terms of how many games everyone has played. If you could knock four points out of the weekend, you would probably wake up Tuesday morning pretty satisfied being in the top three or possibly in the top two, depending on how other results go. Two tough games and you are looking to the lads to give you a massive response, and I think they will."
* United Supporters' Trust is running a bus to Friday evening's match versus Longford Town, leaving Prospect Hill at 4.30pm. Contact Ronan Coleman 087-6972823 or Dominick Walsh 087-9163438. Pick ups can be arranged along the Dublin Road in Galway; Maldron Hotel, Oranmore; and all motorway exits.
