Points on theroad is wanted

Deery is looking for maximum points at Armagh City, this Saturday, but he knows the home side will be a hard nut to crack, especially as they’ll be looking to bounce back from their surprise loss at Annagh United last weekend.

“Look, two points from our first four away games isn’t what we were looking for but those games are in the past and we have to look forward,” he said.

“We go to Armagh on Saturday and it’s going to be a hard game for us, because they were a side at the start of the season who harboured hopes to be up there challenging and at the minute they haven’t played to their full potential, so we know they will be up for the game.

“Having lost at the weekend they’ll be smarting from that and will be looking to bounce back but we got a positive result and will be looking to build on that.”

Last season ‘Stute lost at Holm Park, but Deery hopes the 3G surface will suit his players.

“Their pitch should suit us, but we lost up there last year, so we know how difficult it is to get a result,” he added.

“But we want to start improving our away form. We have been super at home, only dropping two points, but we need to get our first win on the road sooner rather than later.”

In the last few weeks the likes of Gareth Brown, Darryl McDermott, Sean McCarron, Mark Scoltock and on Saturday, Gareth McFadden, have all been sent-off. However Deery doesn’t believe there’s a problem.

“To be honest I’m more frustrated than angry with the players because the majority of the red-cards have been a result of us making a mistake, which has cost us,” he said.

“Yes, Sean knows he can’t challenge over the top of the ball, but Gareth (Brown) and Darryl’s were for two bookings; Scolty’s was because he lost possession and pulled the player back, while on Saturday Gareth was just a young player who got frustrated and will learn from it.

“But I know there isn’t a discipline problem. However I will be speaking to the players that about needing to keep 11 men on the pitch.”

Striker McCarron finishes his three match suspension this week and again misses out, but Scoltock is available for selection though he is struggling with a heel injury and remains a doubt.