Coleman and Bell will be similar to Paul Cook in football philosophy

First of all I would like to welcome John Coleman and Jimmy Bell to the club. I wish them the very best in getting us back to where we belong.

They will be the complete opposite to what we had in terms of football and in the dressing room.

The pair will be similar to Paul Cook in their philosophy on football and that should re- energise all supporters.

Personally, I love Scousers- they bring passion, heart and a bit of comedy to any dressing room.

The lads have had a hectic start with European draws and then the preparation for the Drogheda United game.

We were once again decimated as a team through injuries and suspensions.

The fixture was a great game for the incoming manager as it was against the worst team in the league in recent weeks.

They also had changes with Darius Keirns returning to the dugout for Drogheda.

It was great to see the return of Kieran Djilali, who is a massive attacking player in our team. I think the new lads will get the best out of him, I just hope Kieran realises the talent he has and utilises it. He was excellent on Friday night and got a great breakaway goal to put us two up after twenty minutes.

Danny North was another who had a terrific game and got the first and was heavily involved in the second. He and Djilali linked brilliantly together. We gave away a sloppy penalty and with Drogheda going down to ten men we were guilty of not finishing them off.

The encouraging sign for me was our style of football, we played on the front foot, pressed high and played at a high tempo - something that has been missing for too long.

We also kept possession, but moved the ball quicker and with more penetration.

I know it’s early days and I will hold judgement until we play better teams. The game was all about winning after our recent run and the break and the new management could give the players the lift they badly needed.

I think, however, our real test will be next Sunday against Cork City who are the real surprise package of the league this year.

We also have our trip midweek to Gargzdai in Lithuania to play FK Banga - a team we know little about. It’s another horrendous draw in terms of logistics for the club but it gives us a great opportunity of progressing through the round. I hope our previous experiences in Europe will help us overcome Banga. Also, they have little experience of Europe and that may come against

To get through a round of Europe could set us up for the rest of the season.

them. The one thing you can be sure of with these teams is that technically, they will be decent and are usually physically strong. It’s a pity more fans can’t make the trip and I was on the list for the charter but unfortunately the club could not get the numbers to fill the plane. I know a few making the trip so we will have a few supporters in the small stadium in Banga. This is as crucial a game as we have had as a club in recent years. For all the glory of winning trophies to get through a round of Europe could set us up for the rest of the season and help our budget for next season.

That's why its important in a full time set up to have European football every season.

The carrot of playing Rosenberg if we both get through is a real incentive. The year we lost to Vlassnia they went on to play Rapid Vienna in the next round so hopefully lighting doesn't strike twice.

The World Cup has had us all talking of the brilliance of the competition so far with the majority of games excellent.

I’m afraid after the Luis Suarez incident this World Cup will be remembered for the wrong reasons.

I don't for one minute condone what Suarez did but his punishment in my eyes was excessive. I know its dividing opinions in the public domain but I just find it all blown out of proportion.

Giorgio Chiellini has called the ban excessive so it makes you wonder why so long?

I have been on the receiving end of elbows, kicks, punches and the like but I gave as much back as I got.

That was the way it was and players shook hands and got on with it.

My pet hate is players going over the ball and rolling around when there has been little contact.

I hope our great game keeps its physical edge and that a good hard fair game can always be had.