The Famous 6 in 8

1.  The ‘Love Is The Drog’ podcast described Drogheda’s win as “remarkable for only quite how routine it was”. They expected much more from Waterford. On paper, there shouldn’t be much between those two teams, but Drogheda had a comfortable win that they thoroughly deserved without stretching themselves too much. Waterford were outthought and outfought in an extremely disappointing showing.

 

2.  There seemed to be a lack of ideas and identity for the Blues. They tried to play through the middle, but with very little success. By far the best piece of football all night from the Blues was the Pádraig Amond chance in the first half when Kyle White drove through the middle of the field and laid it off for Podge, whose shot was smothered. But that was the only chance created through a congested middle of the park and the innumerable long balls out of defence were dealt with easily by the home side.

As for the wings, I can’t recall a single dangerous cross from out wide. Set-pieces are always key, but can’t be the only way of creating chances. One Conan Noonan corner just before half time led to a glaring opportunity for James Olayinka in front of goal, but he headed over the bar. Other than that, there was nothing of note created. 

 

(Ben McShane, Sportsfile)

 

3.  Keith Long switched to four at the back for the last two games, which most fans prefer, but questions remain about whether Waterford have the right personnel for it. Grant Horton, a centre back, has been playing right back with Navajo Bakboord benched. Horton did an excellent job keeping Zack Elbouzedi anonymous last week, but he is missed from the centre of defence and doesn’t provide an attacking outlet as an overlapping fullback. Darragh Leahy has converted from left back to centre half in recent years and brings balance in a three at the back. However, I don’t think he performs as well when playing as one of just two centre backs. Kacper Radkowski’s inconsistency is still frustrating. He had an excellent game last week, but was poor in Drogheda.

It’s been said repeatedly, but the lack of options in defence is a serious issue for this team. Jesse Dempsey, Seán Keane and Alan Zborowski have been filling places on the bench with little indication that the manager would ever use them. Midfielders White and Sam Glenfield have been used in defence ahead of them so we realistically only have six defenders. Left back Dempsey is not without experience having started 17 Premier Division games for UCD two years ago. That said, Ryan Burke has been the best performer of the defenders to date. It looks like the squad is lacking options in key positions and some just haven’t performed to the standard required.

 

4.  Of course, the availability of players is paramount and Long has never had his first choice eleven on the pitch this season. Matty Smith and Andy Boyle were the two standout signings this winter – two proven league-winners. Smith has missed three months and there is no hint of him returning yet. That has been compounded by Andy Boyle’s absence for the last three games with a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old missed ten games last season for Dundalk and eighteen the year before. Waterford desperately need him back. I’d go as far as to say that had he been on the pitch for the final five minutes against St Pat’s, the Blues would have seen out a 1-0 win. Every club is missing players though so squad depth is key.

 

 

5.  What are Drogheda doing right? They have built a squad over several seasons since they won the First Division in 2020. Favourites for relegation last year, they won the playoff against Bray Wanderers and the FAI Cup final. Ex-Blues defender Kevin Doherty moved from assistant manager to the top job at the end of 2021 and has steered them to safety against the odds with one of the lowest budgets in the division. They’ve built a core around a midfield trio of Shane Farrell (unwanted by Damien Duff), 33-year-old local Ryan Brennan and part-timer Darragh Markey – the latter two are both in their fourth season at the club. They’re all experienced campaigners in the League of Ireland and have helped the team maintain continuity. United played with energy and endeavour without needing to be outstanding to win.

 

6.  Only one game remains in the first round of fixtures. The Blues travel to Tallaght next Friday on the back of four consecutive defeats. They really can’t afford that to become five, as tough a task as that might be. Last year, Waterford took the game to Shamrock Rovers and emerged with one of the biggest shock wins of the entire league season. Long needs to get that spirit back into the team quickly.