The Famous 6 in 8

1.  Given this morning’s news, let’s start with the departing Keith Long. He will be remembered for lifting the club out of the First Division, winning that unforgettable playoff, and for some great days back in the Premier Division. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that the Blues have lost 16 of their last 23 league games. That’s certainly not all down to the manager, but, for one reason or another, he wasn’t getting any joy from the team. 

The real problem is that it was clearly getting worse. Of the six consecutive losses at the moment, only the 2-1 defeat to St Pat’s was an acceptable performance that gave any hope of a successful season. That sublime Pádraig Amond header is the only goal Waterford have scored in this run and, in truth, one of the very few chances created in those six games.

Meanwhile, defending has been shambolic at times. Last night’s first two goals were carbon copies of the two conceded last week – free headers right in front of goal. Mistakes are being repeated all around the pitch, there’s a lack of creativity, of identity, team spirit doesn’t seem strong. It just wasn’t working. 

2.  That was one of the worst performances ever seen at the RSC and the fallout shouldn’t just end with the manager’s departure. It was historically bad (Sligo’s biggest ever win in Waterford). Humiliating.

On leaving the RSC last night, I was considering just getting the thesaurus out and just writing 800 synonyms to describe that display. Abysmal, awful, brutal, depressing, dreadful, unacceptable.

This is the first time since April 2007 that the Blues have lost six games in a row in either division. They were relegated that year. I have no doubt that this season is very salvageable with almost three-quarters of the league still to play. Change was needed and it has begun. There will need to be changes in player personnel too. 

 

 

3.  Word started to filter through from 5.30pm that the match was under threat. There was heavy rain and the pumps weren’t able to drain the water quickly enough leaving areas of the grass looking like a pond earlier in the day. The seven o’clock pitch inspection took place a few yards into the Tramore end of the field. The ball wasn’t bouncing, but could roll. It looked to most observers that referee Aaron O’Dowd would have to postpone the game for fear of serious injuries, but he gave it the go-ahead. To be fair, it was playable in the end and Sligo managed it very well. The conditions felt ominous though for what turned out to be an ugly night.

 

4.  An attendance under two thousand is a real concern. Waterford’s first four home games all had crowds of over three thousand. On a losing streak, I expected it to fall to 2,500, but not 1,974. Something had to be done or it would be smaller again next Friday against Derry City. It may still be, but the narrative had to change. An optimistic outlook is that we get a bounceback performance and win in Cork on Monday, that fans get behind a caretaker management team and that we can get close to 3,000 next week.

 

Pádraig Amond cut a dejected figure after the final whistle

 

5.  Sligo Rovers deserve huge credit for that win. They were full of desire, played some lovely football and gave their manager 100% effort. Their reward was their first away win since July, their first clean sheet since September, and the size of their win moved them off the foot of the table and just two points behind Waterford now. Their first two goalscorers Gareth McElroy (17) and Owen Elding (19) have come from their academy and John Russell has put his faith in them. They have supposed outcasts from other clubs too who are giving their all as well. On paper, they’re not world beaters, but they beat the stuffing out of Waterford last night.

 

6.  So, what now? Make no mistake about it, this will be a very attractive job. Even in the darkest days for Waterford, there has always been big demand for the manager’s job. The positives include a large support base in a real football city, strong backing from the owners, excellent facilities and some key players to build a team around. A couple of wins puts you back in the hunt for a European place. There are problems, but a good manager – a new voice – can get this team ticking and add some more quality either in the summer window or by picking up some free agents.

Two of the best ‘mid-season jobs’ at this club were by Pat Dolan in 2005 and Marc Bircham in 2021. Both took over disastrous situations, got a solid eleven together, rooted out the bad eggs, gave players the belief to play above themselves, played to their strengths and built momentum. Attitude trumps CVs so put eleven players out who will give their all and the fans will get behind them.

It may need to be an interim management team until a permanent replacement for Keith Long is found. I would recommend relying on the experience and professionalism of Amond and Andy Boyle in the coming weeks along with the coaching staff. What we all want to see is a team with heart playing with pride in the shirt.