SLIGO ROVERS MANAGER Ian Baraclough last night admitted that he feels his players are getting unfair criticism from fans following their disappointing start to the season.
The Bit o’Red ended their losing streak last night with a 1-1 draw against Drogheda United, having lost their previous four, and winning just the first game this season.
And Baraclough says he has told his players to tune off after games, and to take themselves away from it all.
“I do [think they are getting unfairly criticised],” Baraclough said. “What can you do about it? Tune off your ears to it. Don’t read the newspapers. Don’t listen to radios.
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“Don’t listen to phone-ins. Don’t look at your phone, don’t go on Twitter. Just get in there, in the dressing room. There’s plenty of belief in there, plenty of positivity.
“You’re going to get enough anyway by walking around the town, people telling you that you should do this and you should do that. That’s fine. I’m happy with that. Just shut yourself off to newspapers, media.”
The former Scunthorpe manager also said that he finds himself seeking sanctuary elsewhere, and that he doesn’t need to see or hear negativity towards him or his players.
Why do I want to read about negativity and what people think? What I think is the most important. What players think is the most important.
“At the moment everything is geared towards the game, afterwards you have to take yourself away from it. I tell the players that all the time. Everything can’t be all about the football. “
His side have been accused of playing half-heartedly on occasions this season after their string of surprising defeats, and Baraclough is under no illusions that things will have to change if they want to win anything this year. But, he’s proud of his players’ effort.
“No one can say they didn’t want it, that there was no belief. They [Drogheda] weren’t the most industrious of teams. I feel for them in there because they’re giving it absolutely everything at the moment. It’s little niggles keeping people out of the team and to have a squad that’s really full of life [is great]. Something has got to change.”
One point is certainly better than none, but it’s no consolation to Baraclough. And although results haven’t been going their way, he is fully positive for Sligo’s trip to Cork on Friday, where they will face the league leaders.
The underdog tag will give the 2013 FAI Cup winners a boost on Friday, and Baraclough is not afraid of the task at hand.
“We’ll probably go there as the underdogs now. No expectation. Cork are sweeping all before them, like we were 12 months ago. Turner’s Cross is no fear for us. There’s no reason why it should be. Nobody believes we’ll do it.”
'What can you do? Don't listen' - Sligo boss tells players to ignore criticism
SLIGO ROVERS MANAGER Ian Baraclough last night admitted that he feels his players are getting unfair criticism from fans following their disappointing start to the season.
The Bit o’Red ended their losing streak last night with a 1-1 draw against Drogheda United, having lost their previous four, and winning just the first game this season.
And Baraclough says he has told his players to tune off after games, and to take themselves away from it all.
“I do [think they are getting unfairly criticised],” Baraclough said. “What can you do about it? Tune off your ears to it. Don’t read the newspapers. Don’t listen to radios.
“Don’t listen to phone-ins. Don’t look at your phone, don’t go on Twitter. Just get in there, in the dressing room. There’s plenty of belief in there, plenty of positivity.
“You’re going to get enough anyway by walking around the town, people telling you that you should do this and you should do that. That’s fine. I’m happy with that. Just shut yourself off to newspapers, media.”
The former Scunthorpe manager also said that he finds himself seeking sanctuary elsewhere, and that he doesn’t need to see or hear negativity towards him or his players.
“At the moment everything is geared towards the game, afterwards you have to take yourself away from it. I tell the players that all the time. Everything can’t be all about the football. “
His side have been accused of playing half-heartedly on occasions this season after their string of surprising defeats, and Baraclough is under no illusions that things will have to change if they want to win anything this year. But, he’s proud of his players’ effort.
“No one can say they didn’t want it, that there was no belief. They [Drogheda] weren’t the most industrious of teams. I feel for them in there because they’re giving it absolutely everything at the moment. It’s little niggles keeping people out of the team and to have a squad that’s really full of life [is great]. Something has got to change.”
One point is certainly better than none, but it’s no consolation to Baraclough. And although results haven’t been going their way, he is fully positive for Sligo’s trip to Cork on Friday, where they will face the league leaders.
The underdog tag will give the 2013 FAI Cup winners a boost on Friday, and Baraclough is not afraid of the task at hand.
“We’ll probably go there as the underdogs now. No expectation. Cork are sweeping all before them, like we were 12 months ago. Turner’s Cross is no fear for us. There’s no reason why it should be. Nobody believes we’ll do it.”
Sligo draw with Drogheda to end four-game losing streak
Bohemians earn hard-fought victory over hapless Athlone
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