Institute: Deery needs his young players to really dig in after loss

The ex-Derry City skipper who won numerous trophies during his time at the Brandywell was a frustrated man following their defeat at Loughgall on Saturday.

“There are a couple of young guys that are going to have to realise that there’s more to football than having ability,” he said.

“I’m not having a go at them but you have to have the sheer determination and you have to do better than the guy you are marking or really dig your team out when it’s not going well.

“I just feel in maybe the last two games that we haven’t really dug in enough when it’s going against us in terms of the lads which I call technical players, with lots of ability, I feel sometimes they need to say to themselves ‘you know what maybe today I have to dig my team out’ and this is something I’ll be telling them that at training this week, that they maybe have to do a bit more off the ball.”

Not for the first time this season the Waterside men have failed to take advantage when on top in games, while at the other end they need to cut out conceding poor goals and those two things happened at Lakeview Park at the weekend.

Striker Garbhan Friel missed an unbelievable chance in the second half heading over when it looked easier to score, then Aidan McCauley lost possession to Marcus Dallas in a dangerous area and Loughgall midfielder took full advantage firing past Stute keeper Michael Lynch.

“I’m starting to think what have I done wrong,” he admitted.

“I’m the manager of the team and I have to find a way to pick the team up again.

“Let’s be honest there were two mistakes, Aidan is caught in possession and then the keeper should save it, young Michael knows that we spoke about it after the game, it was straight down his neck and it’s bounced in over his arm.

“Yes I know we created the better chances, we were the more dominant team but this league is so unforgiven and I’m starting to realise that now.

“On the bench we look at each other at times when we don’t score because they are absolute clear cut opportunities we aren’t taking at the minute, but I’ll always back my team the whole way and I just sense sometimes in this league that you maybe need to penetrate in behind a wee bit quicker.

“That’s my gut feeling at the minute, maybe we aren’t penetrating and getting in behind quick enough.

“I felt at Loughgall we didn’t really penetrate enough whether it was from full-back’s or wide men, we accepted to play in front of them, especially when we were chasing the game.

“I’m not going to single people out but players were dropping into wee spaces and trying to play wee intricate passes, whenever it takes just a wee hateful run trying to get in behind their defence to stretch them, so I’ll go back and rethink and I’ll jot a couple of my thoughts down and see where we go.

The Stute gaffer felt young midfielder Aaron Harkin shone at Lakeview Park and believes his midfield partner Aidan McCauley could learn a thing or two from him; but despite this Deery knows his players will always give 100 per cent for him.

“I have never ever questioned their effort or commitment the only thing we are lacking is a wee bit of composure and a real ruthlessness in our finishing,” he added.

“I have to praise young Harkin he showed tremendous energy and leadership in the game, but young Aidan needs to learn fast that it’s not always going to be pretty you are going to have to dig in, in games.”