Limerick 4 Dundalk 1... no more believable if you were there to witness it.
This must be rock bottom for a team so racked by injuries that most of the players on the pitch were not first choice for the position they were in, or were in the wrong position.
Chris Bennion - second choice at the moment to Niall Gallagher
Niall Gallagher - fit, and playing well, but always under threat from "Benno"
John Flanagan, injured and out indefinitely. Replaced by Stephen Quigley.
Stephen Quigley, an extremely able replacement for Flano, until an injury rules him out of action.
Robbie Dunne, gives his all but is just not a natural in the position.
Ben Whelehan, injured and out for another couple of weeks. Replaced by Thomas McGauley.
Thomas McGauley, good replacement for Ben until he was involved in a car accident and then had a honeymoon to go on, all of which ruled him out for about a month. Now on his way back to fitness.
Paul Marney, covered for McGauley until he also received an injury.
David Crawley, covering in central defence but not as comfortable there as at left full, and arguably not deserving of his place in the team in either position.
Aidan Lynch, just back from injury and again leaving the pitch limping badly.
Vinny Perth (yes, you read right!) covering for Lynch in defence.
David Crawley, forced to leave his position at left full to cover the central defence.
James Hand, coping quite well with covering for David in his absence, arguably deserving to retain that place going forward.
Bad enough to lose a player or two, but to lose an entire defence and then an entire set of replacements is more than bad luck.
These problems have translated into a bad string of performances and, naturally from that, a bad set of results.
The bad results have had a serious impact on morale at the club, more significant an impact than I would personally have hoped for after the past season and a half. Fans are starting to give up hope of promotion, although we are still within sight of the finishing post with more than a full round of games remaining. Some are also starting to criticise performances, which in some cases is quite justified. Others are questioning Gills capability of gaining us promotion, allowing a short run to cloud their memories of a long term improvement at the club and in the team. Then there are the few that have decided that they feel justified in taking their frustrations out on the players, by shouting abuse at them during games. This to me is unacceptable, ignorant and cruel. The players are already disheartened by results, performances and enforced changes to the team. The players who seem to be attracting the lion's share of this treatment are those who put in most effort week after week, are most disheartened anyway and are most affected by the abuse.
Please, please, please, try to remain supportive through this difficult time and help the players to get back on track to earn the promotion we have already deserved once and been denied.
