It has been a disappointing opening to Galway United's SSE Airtricity League first division season, but Cobh Ramblers will present United with a real opportunity to register a win when the two sides meet at Eamonn Deacy Park tomorrow (7.45pm ).
Having suffered five one-goal defeats in six games, United will be hoping to produce a much-improved display when Stephen Henderson’s similarly youthful outfit visit the west.
Currently second from bottom in the standings, a home victory would put United level on points with Cobh, who have claimed two victories from seven fixtures.
Murphy believes United can deliver against Cobh on the banks of the Corrib. “It is always an opportunity, it is another day to try to perform, to work hard during the week to see if we can fix some of the stuff,” Murphy says.
Despite the cruel losses, Murphy is adamant valuable lessons are being learned by United’s young squad.
“It is a difficult one because we will fix stuff this week,and then something else will pop up next week,” Murphy admits.
“That is the way it is with the side we have in terms of youth. We will work hard to see what we can get against Cobh.”
United need to be more creative in the final third, according to manager Murphy, who is not faulting the attitude and application in any way.
“It is easy enough to look at it and say we aren't clicking,” Murphy says. “At times we look OK. I think defensively we aren't bad. The shape is not bad at times, but I just think we are making the wrong decisions.
“I'm saying it every week. It isn't going to fix itself quickly. We aren't clicking, that is just it. In terms of the football, we are trying to play, it is not working for us at the moment. We need to work on it.
“You look at the Limerick game and think what were our best passages of play, what were our best threats on goal? Route one football brought our best chances. When we tried to play and express ourselves a little bit, we were wanting.
“You don't turn on and off that type of thing. It takes hours and weeks to try to fix. It is very disappointing. We need results and we want results. When your best football and options are going long, that is not what anyone wants.”
Despite the poor recent form, Murphy is eager to steer United through this particularly demanding stint.
“I don't have a quick fix solution,” he says. “A sloppy goal to concede against Limerick, while we've had loads of those deflections that haven't gone our way.
“Would I be talking differently if we had scored one or two from long balls and deflections. Would I be saying we are back at it and a great side? I wouldn't. I don't think in the last few weeks we've had any luck in terms of stuff dropping for us.
“Donal Higgins probably should have scored just before half-time to go back in at 1-1. We huffed and puffed in the second half, but really didn't create, we created half chances.”
That is one area Murphy is eager to rectify as United need to start accumulating points quickly.
