Sligo Rovers manager John Russell issued a public message to the club’s supporters in the wake of last Friday’s harrowing 7-0 defeat away to Drogheda United in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Divsion.
It was Rovers heaviest defeat in a competitive fixture since the late 1980s – when they lost 8-1 to Dundalk in a home league game in January 1987.
The Rovers boss, who was completing a three-game touchline ban, following his recent red card at the end of the St Patrick’s Athletic league fixture, wasn’t in the dugout at Weaver’s Park.
In the statement (below), he described the team’s display as ‘shocking’ and the journey home from Drogheda on the team bus as one of the toughest he’s every experienced in football.
His message acknowledged the anger and frustration amongst fans, while also putting a protective arm around his players, given what they had achieved so far this season, prior to the two most recent results in the league and FAI Cup.
Russell will be back on the touchline for this Saturday night’s home league game against Waterford FC at the Showgrounds (7:45pm).
Below is the full text of the message issued by the Rovers manager to supporters on Sunday:
It was a shocking performance and result last Friday night. There is no other way to describe it.
Football is an emotional game. The psychology of dealing with pressure is a skill that players and staff continually refine. Football isn’t just about what happens on the pitch, it’s about the emotions it evokes in the fans. From the elation of a late Ellis Chapman wonder goal to beat Derry City at home to the devastation of last Friday nights hammering, football takes supporters on an emotional rollercoaster.
As I sat in the stands last Friday night with our head strength and conditioning coach Tom French, where we served the last of our three-game suspension, I was filled with lots of emotions. Probably the same emotions of all our away fans and our supporters tuning in on LOITV. Anger, frustration, embarrassment.
In the aftermath of these difficult moments, it is my job as manager to take a step back and take an objective view. Analyse what happened, learn from it, help the players and staff and move forward.
We have the youngest squad in the league. They are learning the game while also learning about themselves. I believe you only truly learn about yourself in tough moments or in tough times. It tests your character, and it can allow you to build your resilience.
As some players were substituted on Friday night, I watched their body language closely. I also watched to see if they shook Ryan Casey’s hand as they entered the dugout. They did. At the final whistle, I watched as the players and staff approached our away supporters. They stood and applauded. They took the flak. Win, lose or draw this group are consistent in their actions. They showed their character.
Everyone is hurting. The journey home was one of the toughest I’ve ever experienced. But when you step back, you need to remember that this is the same group of players who have delivered some special nights. They have exceeded expectations so far this season. This same group of players have been lauded by the fans as ‘getting it’ and ‘leaving everything on the pitch’ when it comes to playing for this club. Everyone can have a bad performance or a bad night. It’s how you respond.
We have an opportunity to respond on Saturday night in front of our own supporters in the Showgrounds.
Up the Rovers!
John Russell.
