Captain’s Column

SKIPPER Stephen O’Donnell heaps praise on Steven Douglas for making his 150th appearance in Coleraine colours and has tipped Aaron Traynor to overcome his ACL injury…

Having lost back to back games for the first time since I joined the club, it’s really important that we respond well on Saturday. Last Saturday’s defeat against Cliftonville was disappointing as I thought we were the better side in the first half and should have been level at half time. In the second half of that game we could have done more to put them under more pressure. By more, I don’t mean that we could have worked harder, because I believe all the boys worked as hard as they possibly could to get the result. What I mean is that we could have worked smarter. Towards the end of the game in particular, we were so desperate to get the equaliser that we made the wrong decision at times and by passed our midfield too often. We played longer passes from deeper areas of the pitch, which allowed Cliftonville’s midfield to pick up the second balls as we were over stretched trying to make up the ground. That may sound fairly obvious and I know that anyone who was at the game might have seen that, but it took the momentum away from the pressure we were trying to build and allowed Cliftonville to get out too easy. That’s something that we have to improve on as players and ensuring that we stick to the things that serve us well throughout the game, even when we are desperate to get a result.

The midweek game against Glentoran was one that I couldn’t be involved in once the fixture got rearranged and it was tough for me. When we aren’t getting the results we want, I am desperate to play. When things aren’t going well, that’s when I feel I need to be in the thick of things to work as hard as I can to try and turn things around. So for me, it was tough on Tuesday night. Even tougher having to listen to it on the radio. The agony of listening to extra time and then penalties was a lot worse than actually being involved in the game and it’s something I hope I won’t be repeating anytime soon. It’s disappointing for us to be out of the cup. That is a competition that I feel we had a good chance to go on and win. Winning trophies is why we’re involved in football and to bring success to Coleraine again this season was a big aim for us at the start of the year. By all accounts the boys performed really well on Tuesday and were worthy winners of the tie. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and when it comes to a penalty shootout, it’s almost down to luck on the night. For us, three top players who are more than capable of scoring, missed. That can happen to any player and we’re disappointed for them and disappointed as a group. But we’re a close group and rallying together now to pick ourselves up and go and get three points against institute on Saturday is at the forefront of our minds. All three have the character and the mentality to come back stronger and I’m sure the next penalty we’re awarded, the three boys won’t be far away from stepping forward to take it.

Looking forward to Saturday and for me and the rest of the Derry boys it will be a nice change to not have to travel too far to the game. It’s the first time we go to play a competitive game in the Brandywell and I’m sure for most of you, it will be your first time in the stadium since its redevelopment. For anyone in the old Brandywell, the running track made it feel as if the pitch was so far away and maybe took a bit of atmosphere out of the stadium. The new pitch being right in front of the stand and the new Mark Farren stand is great. The new surface is good and that will suit us on Saturday. Institute are a good side. They move the ball well as we all seen in that game at The Showgrounds earlier in the season. As well as they played that night, we should have won the game. We were 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go. We should have been able to see that out. As it happened we didn’t and almost got caught trying to chase the game. A lot has happened since for both clubs, but it’s important that we go there for three points. If we keep working hard. If we keep applying ourselves and carrying out the instructions from the manager, I’m sure it will turn, and we will be able to put a run of results together. Hopefully that starts this weekend and we can go and get the performance and result we are desperate for.

Another week and another player has reached 150 appearances for Coleraine. Steven Douglas or big Dougie as most of us know him, made his 150th appearance on Tuesday night. I’m sure if Coleraine had have signed him a few years earlier he would be almost double that by now. I can’t sing Dougie’s praises enough. He’s a top top player. Even at 41 he still strolls about and makes it look so easy. That’s the biggest compliment people can pay him. The fact that he makes the job look so easy, when believe me, it’s not. He has this wonderful ability to take everything in his stride and produce a performance every time he plays. For me, my only disappointment or regret is that I never got the chance to join Coleraine sooner and play with him for longer. He has been brilliant for me since I joined, and I’ve learned so much in such a small space of time. Congrats Dougie, here’s to a few more.

Having lost back to back games for the first time since I joined the club, it’s really important that we respond well on Saturday

Finally, the last thing I want to mention this week is my disappointment for Aaron Traynor. The news that he needs an operation on his ACL is devastating for him and for us as a group. Aaron is a big character in our dressing room and he will be missed on the training pitch and every Saturday at 3.00pm. He has been a fantastic signing for us since he joined. For me he was the best left back in the league last season and he was just starting to find his form again before he got injured. It’s testament to him and his character that after he got injured he actually tried to come back and train before his scan. That’s because he is desperate to play, do well and win with this group of players. In saying that, as much as I know he will hate not being involved, there is no one I know who will work harder to come back. Aaron will put the hours into his rehab and do his gym work to make sure that we see a fitter, stronger and hungrier Aaron Traynor next year. He will be sorely missed but I know as a group we will support him and do everything we can to help get back as soon as possible.

I know there has been a bit of controversy with the ticketing of the game and the early kick off. But let’s not let it get in the way of what can be an important performance and result for us. Hopefully we get a big crowd into the Brandywell and we can put on a big performance for you all. Let’s be loud, stick together and get three points.

C’mon the Bannsiders!

Stephen O’Donnell