Bray Wanderers striker Gary Shaw: 'There are only six games left and they are six massive games for us'

Bray Wanderers striker Gary Shaw has backed both he and his teammates to continue their rich vein of form ahead of the final six games of the First Division season.

Shaw netted his sixth goal of the season on Friday evening against Longford Town – and he is hopeful that Bray can continue their good recent form with a win a win against Cobh this evening.

“It’s always a tricky fixture. UCD went down there and pummelled them but it was crazy,” Shaw said of the Cobh game during the aftermath of Friday’s win over Longford.

“Normally you go down to Cobh and it’s a one-nil or whatever. We just have to keep this momentum going as we’re in a good run of form.

“We need to take advantage of that. We’re professional athletes and we’re down to Cobh on Monday for a long journey but we need to be ready.”

Friday’s win sees Bray remain two points clear of Drogheda United at the top of the First Division table – and Shaw has praised his teammates for their efforts in recent weeks.

“From Brian (Maher) right through to myself everyone is contributing the way that they should be, and everyone is buying in to what we’re trying to do here.

“It’s a shortened season so there’s no time for mistakes or lapses of concentration. Everyone has been on it for the couple of weeks that we’ve had in the build-up to restart and the last few games.

“We’ll have our off days where you make mistakes in games and it’s about bouncing back and putting a nice run together.

“We need to continue. There are only six games left and they are six massive games for us so if we continue doing what we’re doing we’ll be there or thereabouts.”



2020 has also seen Shaw make his return to the Carlisle Grounds – just ten years on since he made the breakthrough in the League of Ireland.

Now 28, Shaw has assumed a greater role in the Bray Wanderers dressing upon his return to the club – something that he has enjoyed.

“I came here initially ten years ago as a kid, so I know exactly what it’s like to be the young lad in the dressing room looking up to the older players,” he finished.

“I’m still only 28, I’d like to think that I have a few years left in me, but I am one of the more experienced heads in the dressing room.

“It’s a young squad but I’m enjoying playing football again. Scoring goals is what’s it all about for strikers.

“I’ll get criticised for not getting goals but it’s about work rate and the effort that you put in on and off the pitch.



“A lot of fans and pundits don’t see what goes on behind the scenes and I’d like to think that I lead by example off the pitch in training and when you pop up with goals like that it’s all the more sweeter.”

 

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