Europa journey is a Mass-ive thrill for Dane
DUNDALK defender Dane Massey insists his side are not going into the Europa League just to make up the numbers and vowed they will not be the ‘beating boys’ of Group D.
While Stephen Kenny’s side are, by their own admission, underprepared for their away trip to face AZ Alkmaar on Thursday and massive underdogs to take even a point in the competition, Massey believes the ‘thrill’ of playing in Europe will inspire his side to the sort of performance that saw them beat BATE Borisov last month and put Legia Warsaw through a stern examination in the Champions League play-off.
‘We’re not just there to make up the numbers,’ said the left-back after Monday night’s 2-0 league win over Finn Harps.
‘We’d love to advance if we can. Gerry Spain was over there during the week so we’ll do our homework tomorrow (Tuesday) and watch some videos of them and hopefully we can attack on their weak points.’
The former Bray Wanderers man admitted his side would have liked the week they had to prepare for the Legia Warsaw games going into the Europa League but insists they will make the most of the situation ahead of their trip to the AFAS Stadion on Thursday.
‘We’ve done nothing yet,’ admitted Massey when asked about his side’s prep work on AZ.
‘With the Legia games we had a full week to prepare for them but now we’re straight into the thick of things. We can’t be too picky about the time. We’ll get in and be professional and do our video work and prepare well.
‘Everyone is confident going in. We know our strengths and we’re a well-drilled side. This squad has been together now for three or four years so everyone knows everyone really well. The new additions Dean (Shiels) and Alan (Keane) have only strengthened the team as well so everyone is going over there confident and we’re not going to be the beating boys here.
‘As players it’s great. We’re playing in the Europa League group stages so you’d get yourself up for that even if you were playing tomorrow.
‘We just have to be throughly professional now and do our recovery sessions and our homework on the opposition. We’re really excited for it. It’s just the beginning of the group and hopefully we’ll get a good result.
‘It’s a massive, massive thrill for everyone involved, not only for the players but for the town as well. You can hear from the ticket sales in the office that everyone is getting behind us and there’s a good crowd travelling out to Holland.
‘They’re obviously a good side. They’ve done well in the Dutch League and Ron Vlaar was one of their country’s best players in the World Cup two years ago. They’ve obviously a good team but we’ve got good strength as well.
‘The whole squad just raises their game for Europe. It’s a massive thrill for everyone to play in Europe on the big stage. You have to raise your game to compete and it’s great to see we’re comfortable at that level as well.
‘We’ll be looking to get a few results. We’re not there to sit back and let them come on to us. We’re going to attack and play our own game and hopefully we can get a result,’ he said.
It’s a massive, massive thrill for everyone involved, not only for the players but for the town as well.