Captain’s Column

STEPHEN O’Donnell believes the Coleraine support can play a big role this weekend as the Bannsiders welcome league leaders Glenavon to The Showgrounds…

It has been a frustrating few weeks for us as a club. We’ve had some good performances and some bad performances and four draws. That’s probably as frustrating a few weeks that we could have had, without losing a game. It’s a strange feeling drawing a number of games in a row. The games in which we played well and should have won, become frustrating because we haven’t converted chances or haven’t been able to capitalise when we’re on top. Then the games in which we haven’t played well and got a point, become frustrating because we haven’t got our performance levels right to go and win the game. That feeling of being unsatisfied leaving The Showgrounds or an away stadium on a Saturday has been unfamiliar to us and unfamiliar to you over the last 18 months. Therefore, it’s a bit harder to accept for us all when results aren’t going exactly the way we want it. That being said, the boys are working extremely hard to try and turn these draws into wins. Rodney has got a full week of training this week to work on a few things and I’m sure he will be delighted about that. The boys have responded really well to last week’s result and training on Tuesday in particular was excellent. The boys are all well aware of the expectation levels we have placed on ourselves as a group and we’re more than capable of living up to those expectations. But right now, its about working and pulling together as a group and making sure that we all work as hard as we possibly can, then our quality will come through and we will win games. I genuinely feel that if we can stick together and come out the other side of this frustrating set of results, we will be much better off for it as a group come the end of the season.

The manager has spoken this week about getting back to playing with smiles on our faces and enjoying the hard work that comes with winning games of football at this level. I couldn’t agree with him more. Some players might have been feeling the expectation and responsibility of having a few injuries and the squad being stretched. But we must cope with that as a group, not individuals. We’ve done it before. I think we went through a spell last year where we only had 13 fit players for all of about eight weeks. So we’ve shown we can do it before. So as a group its about us enjoying that responsibility, embracing it and going out to perform on a Saturday. That’s it, stick together, work hard and enjoy it together and those draws will turn back into wins. With all that being said, I genuinely feel had we taken a few opportunities then I would be writing this piece with possibly three wins and just the one draw since the manager took over, but we don’t have time for ifs and buts or excuses, so let’s look forward together as optimistically and positively as we can.

Looking forward to this weekend and what a game we have. Playing at home to Glenavon, who have had a fantastic start to their season could be just the lift we need. I said it before the Crusaders game that it was just what we needed to lift ourselves. We haven’t kicked on since then. However, perform well and win on Saturday and I think it definitely will generate a bit of momentum to get us going in the right direction. Glenavon are a top side and they have improved from last season. They have quality players all over the pitch. Mark Sykes is one of the best midfielders in the league and in him they have a talented midfielder who can break the lines and score goals. Josh Daniels has started the season really well and looks like he is developing his game into a top player and will need to be watched carefully. Up top they have Andrew Mitchell and Stephen Murray who have both been on good goalscoring form this season, so a good test for us, but one that were relishing. We conceded from a set piece on Saturday and that was disappointing. But the chance to redeem ourselves against a Glenavon team who are flying high at the top of the league is the perfect way to put a marker down.

I genuinely feel that if we can stick together and come out the other side of this frustrating set of results, we will be much better off for it as a group come the end of the season.

Glenavon will come try and ask questions of us. People outside of our club having been asking questions of us. Every time this group gets asked a question, we produce performances and results. This week is one of those times. We need to pull together as a club and generate that momentum to get us going in the right direction again. You can play a big role in that on Saturday. When The Showgrounds is bouncing, the drum is banging and the songs are in full flow it’s a wonderful place to play football. When that atmosphere is generated it really gives us a lift as players and at times, when we score into the Railway End, it feels as though you almost drag the ball into the net. So for Saturday that has to be the aim. Us as players need to put on a performance to generate that atmosphere and get you as fans buzzing. Then if you can be as loud and noisy and as intimidating as possible, it will give the boys that extra drive to go and perform well. I know it’s said a lot, but I can be honest when I tell you that it genuinely helps. When The Showgrounds is in full voice it lifts players and improves performances no doubt. So for this Saturday, lets get The Showgrounds packed and come together and put in a real Coleraine performance that you can all be proud of.

Finally, something I should have mentioned last week. A huge congratulations to big James McLaughlin for getting back onto the pitch and getting minutes in the Irish League again. It has been a long road for James and I know he was desperate to be involved last season. We have all seen how hard he has worked and how tough it has been for him to be injured for so long. As a group we are all delighted to finally see him back fit and fighting to play and do well. He’s such a big part of our changing room. He’s always laughing and joking and if there’s any mischief going on, you can guarantee big James had something to do with it. I’m absolutely delighted for him and I know you will all be happy to see him back. I know he has a great relationship with all of you and when you can strike a ball and score goals like big James can, I’m not surprised so many of you love him. On a footballing point of view, its great to have him back as he has so much quality in front of goal. To have his character and ability back to help the boys is brilliant and lets hope he stays injury free for this season and beyond, he deserves that.

Let’s get a big crowd down to The Showgrounds on Saturday, lets put in a really positive performance and let’s get three big points to get the big wheels turning.

C’mon the Bannsiders!

Stephen O’Donnell