Patching: Lilies need to kick on

WILL Patching predicts the negative noise around Dundalk’s season will turn if the Lilywhites can build on Tuesday’s rousing FAI Cup victory.

With a squad missing more than 10 players through injury and illness, Vinny Perth’s side overcame Finn Harps in their quarterfinal replay — a rare highlight in a season filled with low points that has the club battling to avoid a relegation play-off.

“It showed our character, that we’re willing to play for each other,” insisted Patching (pictured). “When you look at the team, we had Mayowa Animasahun and Darragh Leahy at centre-back coming in — he’s not a centreback and not fully fit as well.

“Michael Duffy’s free kick was class and he’s got that in his locker, so have a few of the other boys and we’re going to need to see a bit more of it towards the end of the season if we want a good finish.

“We expect to be higher up the table. We should have converted a lot more of our chances, we’ve conceded some poor goals and it’s killed us in games we should be winning.” Patching is living in the town and is aware of what is being said online.

Noise

“I wouldn’t say it’s easy, with social media nowadays you see and hear a lot of things but we have to try to block out all the noise and focus on ourselves, get the points on the board and if we do that the noise will be positive noise,” said the midfielder.

“I’m sure it does affect players. It’s hard not to. We’re all human beings so any noise we do hear, it does affect you. We just have to stay together and stay positive.”