Liam Buckley: 'It's not a bad point - we're still in transition'

St. Patrick’s Athletic manager Liam Buckley admitted his side has been lacking in confidence in recent weeks following Friday night’s 1-1 draw against Bray Wanderers, acknowledging that his squad was still in a state of transition.

 

The point means his side are still in the relegation zone in 10th spot, with St. Pats now without a league win since back-to-back Dublin derby victories over Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians in March.

 

Ryan Brennan gave Harry Kenny’s side the lead after 23 minutes at the Carlisle Grounds with a glancing header before forward Kurtis Byrne drew the sides level with a well struck half-volley 20 yards from goal.

 

"It's not a bad point from where we are at. We are still in transition as such because we have quite a good few new lads in. Confidence has been low because of the results that we have picked up”, said Buckley.

 

"Granted we have gifted teams some points, but we've just got to keep working and grafting away. I think the lads have put in a serious shift again tonight – they've worked extremely hard, particularly in the second half.

 



"I thought the quality in the first half was average. The second half was a bit better from our point of view – we got on the ball more and created more chances. I think we just need to keep at it and hopefully we can pick up a win.”

 

His side were knocked out of the EA Sports Cup earlier this week. A 2-0 defeat away to Cork City at Turner’s Cross put an end to aspirations of winning the League Cup three years in a row following titles in both 2015 and 2016.

 

With the Premier Division’s second round of fixtures underway, the St. Pat's boss said his side were disappointed with their performances in the opening eleven games this season, which saw the Inchicore club pick up just two wins.

 



“We've done averagely, below average to be honest. We would all have been disappointed where we are in the table.

 

“I think we have gifted some points to teams in the first round of games and we can't afford to do that again in the second run. We came here and got a decent point considering where Bray are at.

 

"We are not targeting being ahead of anybody in particular, that will work its own way out. We just need to get our performances up to scratch where we can win matches. If we win matches hopefully we can chase a spot in Europe.”