COLIN MILLAR UNITED FRONT IS ONLY WAY FORWARD..

By Mcconkey wants Mallards to stick together to get out of losing rut

BALLINAMALLARD boss Harry Mcconkey has issued a rallying call of unity after his side slipped to a sixth successive league defeat on Saturday.

The Mallards fell 2-0 at H&W Welders but the experienced manager believes his men are capable of turning the corner.

“This is no time for ranting or raving, we cannot dwell on what has gone wrong,” Mcconkey told Match On Tuesday.

“As a manager it is my job to get the best out of the players I have and we have full faith and belief in the potential of this group.

“Me, Steve Feeney and the rest of the coaching team have a lot of experience and the challenge now is for us to draw upon that and for the players to stand up and show their potential too.

“A lot of the younger players right now may find this a big learning curve and when you are on a losing streak, some of the senior players feel that too – it is natural but we must keep working.

“We have to do everything we can to support each other whether that’s on the training pitch, our pre-match meals, our analysis of the opposition – now we must stay united and fight for each other.”

Mcconkey admitted that whilst injuries have totted up for his troops – 24 players have been included in matchday squads to date – these cannot be used as an excuse. “We have suffered quite a bit with injuries, particularly in defence,” he continued.

“Darren Teague picked up a stress fracture against Larne, Ryan O’reilly has had a hamstring issue, Matthew Smyth – who was great for us in the top flight – has now picked up a calf injury.

“Our 16-year-old right-back Sean Mcevoy has been super for us in the early games but now he’s torn his ankle ligaments and again we’ve had to rearrange.

“Our captain Richard Clarke turned his ankle early in August and damaged his ligaments, so these are big misses and at this level they do add up, but Richard is now back and has been fantastic since returning.”

The Co Fermanagh outfit have earned plaudits for their style of play and lack of luck so far but the manager feels they need to be more decisive in each penalty area.

“There have been situations in all the defeats where we feel we have spurned big opportunities that, had we have taken them, we would have gained control and gone on to win,” added Mcconkey.

“We haven’t been able to generate enough momentum in games and it has cost us, we have been too indecisive in both penalty areas and that is hurting us now.

“We have got a good blend of players, many of whom dropped down from last year’s Premier League. A mix of Championship experience and others who have come through the Fermanagh leagues.

“Everyone has had to adjust to a new situation and this Championship is one of the most relentless and unforgiving in many years, and that has hurt us early on, so we must adapt to it.”

The Mallards have an opportunity to end their recent run of defeats in the Championship as they host Carrick Rangers on Saturday.

Mcconkey guided his side to a stirring late-season triumph over the East Antrim side as both rallied to avoid relegation from the top flight, and he wants his current side to show similar determination.

“Last year we showed tremendous battle in our crunch meetings with Carrick,” he added.

“I would be delighted if we could match that character and desire in the game this time round, because that was when we needed points more than ever.

“We know what that night meant to our supporters and the fantastic response that we received was special, so a repeat would put a smile on everyone’s face again.”

Ballinamallard host Niall Currie’s side at Ferney Park on Saturday, with a 3pm kick-off.