Gary Cronin: 'We need to look after ourselves and make sure we're in shake up at the end of the season'

Bray Wanderers boss Gary Cronin has all but conceded defeat in the Seagulls First Division title ambitions.

Cronin’s side were soundly beaten on Friday evening at home to league leaders Shelbourne – meaning they are now 13 points behind the Reds after 11 games played.

As a result, the Bray manager admits it would take a dramatic turn of events for his side to claw their way back into the title race.

“We would need Shels to have an awful run of it,” he said on side’s title chances. “There are four or five teams in similar positions, and there are still big games to be played.

“I’ve been a player and coach in playoff games and they’re massive games. You look at Longford last year who got promoted through the playoffs, and that’s an aim for us.

“It’s just disappointing that we couldn’t be the team to claw Shels back or be the team to beat them.

“We felt we should have beaten them at Tolka Park, but tonight they smothered us in our play and build-up. They deserved the win.”

Friday’s defeat saw Gary Shaw make his first start since Bray’s 3-3 draw with Shels earlier on this season – but that could not inspire a morale-boosting Seagulls victory.

“There were periods of the game where we passed the ball well, but from our point of view Shels snuffed us out quite a lot,” he added.

“We didn’t get a proper flow to the game, and we had a couple of players coming back from injury. Gary’s not fully at it yet – but that’s not an excuse. We are where we are.

“Sometimes that happens in games, and the opposition have a say in games – like we often do. The things that went wrong were the goals that we gave away.

“There were four set-pieces. I know two were penalties, but four set-pieces. They didn’t score from open play, and we gifted them three goals.

“I always say when the game is a bit tight don’t give away silly goals – but we did that.”

Having seen Shels up close and personal twice this season – he added that he would be surprised if they could be caught this season.

“If they go on a losing streak someone might be able to turn it around – but I’d be surprised if they don’t win it at this stage,” he said.

“But whatever happens to them, we just need to look after ourselves and make sure we’re in the shake-up at the end of the season. We’re well positioned to do that, but we need to put results together.”

And with Bray Wanderers sitting in seventh, four points off Cabinteely who occupy the final playoff position – Cronin confirmed that he will be looking to add to his ranks in next month’s transfer market.

“We need more competition for places,” he said. “There’s no question about that, and you can see that from our team sheet.

“The depth just isn’t there and we need to bring in the right kind of people to help that competition for places and drive us on.

“I’m sure there will be other teams looking to do the same, but we will be looking to add to what we have.”