POST-GAME VIEW: 'You need that bit of luck' - Bottom Glenavon's Michael O'Connor frustrated at 'small margins' in defeat

Here’s the verdict of Glenavon manager Michael O’Connor:

OVERALL PERFORMANCE...

"I think the goals we conceded weren't good enough.

"I thought the first 15, 20 minutes we were the better team, without actually causing them too many problems in behind. "The first chance they had, they got behind us and the ball was in the back of the net, so we were 1-0 down and chasing.

"But I thought the boys regrouped really well, got in at half-time and I thought we started the second half really well. "Again, we shouldn't be conceding (2-0)...we were putting the ball into the box for a long free-kick and 10 seconds later the ball was in our goal.

"So it's not good enough that way. "We kept going, we got the goal off young Paul McGovern, it's a great ball by Peter Campbell.

"After that, I thought we huffed and puffed without actually creating anything decent."

NEXT STEP...

"It's frustrating to lose a game.

"I keep saying this - the performance, the attitude of the boys...they're giving everything but we're just not being clinical in the two boxes at the minute. "You see by The Glens...they're full-time, they've got top players (and) that's the difference today...when they got a chance, they took it.

"They only had two real chances, maybe three chances when Jacob (Carney) saved the other one (off Jordan Jenkins).

"To be fair, I thought Paddy (Burns) and (Harry) Murphy were really good today...the back four really good, 'Quinny' (Niall Quinn) as well.

"But it's just those wee small moments, fine margins and we're not on the right side at the minute.

"The last five minutes we stuck 'Murph' (Murphy) up top and just went back to front but nothing dropped to us.

"You need that bit of luck in football and we didn't get any today."

FRUSTRATION AT 2-0...

"Glentoran lost their last game against Larne on Tuesday, so we thought it would be a good opportunity for us. "A couple of times this year when they've lost a game, they've lost two or three on the bounce.

"So we thought we'd have a quick start here, try and get ahead.

"But I think the first goal settled them.

"I need to watch the second one back because I thought it was too easy for them to break and create a 2v1 or a 3v1 towards the end of it and score. "We shouldn't be conceding goals like that."

SQUAD DEVELOPMENT...

"You think the players that have left...three centre-forwards with (Francely) Lomboto, (Michael) O'Connor and (David) McDaid.

"Corey Smith went to Duncannon (loan recall). Bridel Bosakani went back to his club (Drogheda United, loan recall). "So attacking players left, we had to get players in.

"Obviously we'd Nathaniel Ferris and Charlie Lindsay not available today (loan signings from Glentoran). "But it just shows you the strength-in-depth we have...they'll be available next week.

"So next week we'll have to leave players out of the squad which, listen, I want that there and to be doing that so there's competition for places. "The squad's looking really good now...but we need to start getting points on the board.

"We're managing Peter (Campbell).

"Peter's plan on Tuesday (Irish Cup) was to play 45 minutes but obviously there was extra-time, so he had to play an extra 30. "So we knew today we'll give Peter the last 30, 35 minutes.

"Stevie Mallon played 60 minutes today and I thought he was really good, he's getting better every game. "So we've got that competition for places..we're looking at the bench now if we need to change and have players who can come and do it."