New manager under no illusions

MARTIN RUSSELL knows that Bray Wanderers face a massive battle to stay in the Premier Division and he is ready for the challenge.

His first match in charge saw his Seagulls side spanked 5-0 by Shamrock Rovers but the caveat to that is the fourth minute double whammy of a red card for Conor Kenna and a goal from the spot for Graham Burke. No amount of waving of Russell’s magic wand was going to save Bray at the stage but bouncing back against Waterford will be the real test of his side.

“We started the game on the back-foot. Conor has probably been a little bit unfortunate because he said it hit his head and then onto his hand.

“It didn’t seem to me to be intentional but the referee has sent him off and it’s a big call so early in the game.

“That’s a very hard one to recover from. The lads played really well until half time then in the second half, we got tired a little bit which happens when you’re a man down and it’s just one of those games that hasn’t gone right for us.

“That’s the plan (bouncing back). If we can get a positive result against Waterford then you’d like to think we’ll be closer to Limerick by that fixture (Bray visit Limerick on June 29th).

“It’s a very competitive league and at the moment our injuries have made it hard.”

Wanderers’ crippling injury list - at one stage they had a full team sidelined - has scuppered their cause and Russell is considering bringing in reinforcements in the transfer window if he can find the right men for the difficult job.

“We have been hindered a little bit but the lads have been doing quite well and they picked up wins against Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and St. Pat’s and also drew with Waterford so if we can play to our level, I certainly think we’re capable of getting results.

“You’re always looking to bring players in! Everybody is looking to bring players in but it’s a matter of who you can bring in and what level they’re at - they have to be good enough. We do think we need more competition in the squad and because of the injuries we’d like to grow the panel. We’re looking around and seeing what we can do.”

After the mid-season break, Bray face Limerick, Sligo Rovers and Bohemians one after the other so Russell believes there is still hope for the division’s basement side.

“I think we’ve got a group that have already shown they’re up for the fight and we’ll make the best we can of it.

“I’m under no illusions as to how much of a challenge this is but we’re up to the fight.”