'I'd rather be told that we're a very good team than we're shit' - Doherty knows points are crucial
Kevin Doherty believes Drogheda United could be sitting as high as third in the Premier Division after the first round of games, had his team secured the points he feels their performances deserve.
Technically, Drogheda are one of only four teams to have yet to complete the a full round of nine fixtures after their game away to Shamrock Rovers was postponed. However despite playing one game fewer than some of their rivals, the manager believes their current placing of ninth in the table does not reflect his side’s impressive form so far.
“Over the last week - Pats, Dundalk, Shels - I think we should have nine points. And we should,” he told reporters after Friday night’s 2-2 draw with Shelbourne at Weavers Park. United had led the game in injury time only to concede when Sean Boyd headed in Tyreke Wilson’s cross with just moments remaining.
“I don't even know where we'd be in the table. And I'm not only concerned about the table now. We should have nine points. Considering what I've heard some people saying about the two Louth clubs, and this, that's the narrative. That's grand.”
Had Drogheda taken nine points from those three games, rather then drawing each, they would be on 13 points instead of their more modest tally of seven. That would leave them level on points with the team currently occupying third St Patrick’s Athletic.
Drogheda have won one of their eight league games to date, against Bohemians last month. That victory is their only win in 13 league games, dating back to September. Asked whether he was tired on being patted on the back by people for playing good football despite wins being hard to come by Doherty said he was.
“Yes, yes”, he replied. “Yeah, I mean I'd rather be told that we're a very good team than we're shit. But, we are a very good team. I think we're a really good side.
“You see the work rate and all the characteristics. It might be a different group of players, but we try to bring them all through what we've had over the last few years. You can see that group is prepared to really go to the well.
“What I have to emphasis, and I said to the players afterwards, it's fine at times - especially with young players - to be coming in and learning...(but) it's about points as well.”
Doherty was disappointed by the two goals conceded against Shels, having twice taken the lead against the side who sit top of the league. That represented the first time so far this term that Damien Duff’s team let in two goals. The last time that happened was also at Weavers Park, on the final day of last season.
“The manner of the two goals as well (was poor). You have to learn but you've got to get points. The performances have been brilliant. The narrative about us that we're struggling. We're far from struggling, as you've seen over the last week.
He continued: “We conceded two poor goals in injury time in both halves. I think we should have scored to go 3-1 up. But I thought we were excellent. I thought we were brilliant. For a team like Shels, the qualities they have, and they hadn't been beaten all season. I think they should have been tonight.
“We get three points all week and they (Waterford) go and beat Bohs at Dalymount. That's football but I'd like to think if we keep our performance levels up that we will be winning games. But there's going to be times when we don't play well so we have to be picking up (points).”
Drogheda took to the field without Andrew Wogan who felt a muscle injury in training during the week. It marked the first time United were without their teenage goalkeeper for a league game since Wogan made his Premier Division debut against Shelbourne last June. Jethren Barr stepped in for his league debut.
“Yeah, he was away with the 19s and the 21s and he was playing a lot of games and trainings and he played the Friday-Monday and then we thought he'd be okay,” Doherty said. “He was trying to do kicking last night and he couldn't kick it. But I have to say, I'm delighted with Jethren, absolutely delighted.
“He's not just come in as a kid, it's not throwing a young lad in. He's a senior international. We're talking about kicking, I thought his kicking was brilliant. He was really, really good. He couldn't do anything about the goals.”
Goalscorer Oisin Gallagher also came in for some praise have finished off the move that handed Drogheda a first half lead.
“That's what you're looking for Oisin to do because you want him to push (on). I spoke to him before the game, with their formation, the way they lined up there might be a little bit more scope for him to be an eight and get forward more,” the manager said of the Lincoln City loanee.