Malley not taking anything for granted as he faces former employers
IT’S been a tough start to the 2024 League of Ireland Premier Division season for Dundalk. The Louth side have not won a single game in their opening 10 games.
The Lilywhites are now also without a manager after the departure of Stephen O’Donnell last week.
Midfielder Connor Malley, who spent last season on the books at Dundalk, has settled in at Sligo Rovers and is right at home here in the North West.
He played that night in February when Sligo Rovers were 5-0 winners over his former team, and even though it’s a dark time for all at Dundalk, he’s taking nothing for granted as he prepares to face them again this Friday at The Showgrounds.
“It’s not a particularly great time there,” he told The Sligo Champion.
“I’m well aware of the players that are still there. It’s not going to be an easy game on Friday, you have to work and you have to fight for every result you get.
“We just need to focus on ourselves and make sure we’re in the right state of mind to get a result.”
Max Mata and Ellis Chapman both scored a brace on March 5th, with Fabrice Hartmann also chipping in with a goal as the Bit O’Red put their opponents to the sword.
It was an incredible night, but it’s in the past now.
“That was a great night for everyone, staff and players and fans of course.
“We had a game-plan and that comes from the manager and the players. We got that right on the night.
“It’s a new challenge for us on Friday and will have to make sure we’re on top of our game.”
John Russell’s side have two home games this weekend as they host Dundalk on Friday followed by Galway on Monday in that rescheduled game.
And Malley says the Bit O’Red are desperate to bounce back after two consecutive defeats on the road.
“Another home game, it’s been a while since we played at home.
“We’re desperate to get back out in front of our fans and hopefully give them something to look forward to as well after a couple of disappointing nights.”
With nine games played, it’s been good and bad for Sligo Rovers.
The good saw Russell’s men beat Dundalk, Drogheda and Waterford, and drawing with Shamrock Rovers and Derry City, but the bad saw them lose to St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers in consecutive games.
Rovers come into this weekend’s game having conceded six in their last two games.
The former Middlesborough player added: “I’ve enjoyed being part of this group. We’re a young group but we’re hungry, we’re a determined group.
“We’re always looking to improve every week.
“I feel after the good start to the season, I feel like we’ve come off it a little bit the last couple of games.
“I know we’ve had a lot of travelling and whatnot but not to make excuses, we’ve maybe come off it a little bit.
“We’re looking to bounce back. We’ve got a Friday/Monday week so we’re looking to bounce back and get back to winning ways.
“If we want to be a proper team, we want to be competitive in every game to come away with back to back 3-0 losses is really frustrating.
“The scoreline ultimately told the story of those two games, where we haven’t been at it. We believe in the group we’ve got, and we believe that on any given day we can give anyone a good game and beat anyone.”
Malley has played every game for Rovers so far, and has been consistent throughout the season so far.
He looks to have settled in on the pitch, and says that’s been helped by the fact that he has settled well off the pitch.
“One of the main reasons for coming here, I believe in myself and I believe in this group.
“It’s good to get that run of games, it’s just looking to gel the new players in and form those relationships that will help us be successful.
“Personally, I’ve settled here really well. It’s a lovely area, it certainly helps with the on the pitch stuff when you feel settled in a place. Looking forward to getting back to winning ways and continuing our strong start.”