Ben McCormack is pulling out all the stops to remind St Pat’s that he can play an important role in their season.
Up to now, the teenager was in danger of becoming their forgotten man having kicked his heels on the bench until this month.
The midfielder was a breakthrough star for the Saints last season under Stephen O’Donnell, making 26 appearances to go with the two fledgling ones the year before.
But he had played a peripheral role under new boss Tim Clancy, until his three eye-catching cameos off the bench this month.
On Monday, McCormack, 19, won a penalty and scored from the rebound away to UCD before assisting the Saints winner.
And now he is vying for a starting role against Finn Harps tomorrow with Clancy revealing that McCormack has responded well to a heart-to-heart.
“We've had a good chat with Benjy about what we want from him,” said the Saints boss yesterday.
“He came on against Drgoheda and affected the game really well. He came on against Shamrock Rovers and did well and came on at UCD and affected the game really well.
“Ben has been flying over the last few weeks and it's just a matter of time before he starts starting games again."
Quizzed on what he wants from McCormack, Clancy continued: "It’s just a little bit different from what he previously worked under.
“They may have wanted different things. It's just how we saw it and what we wanted from him.
“He’s a good kid, Ben, and since we've had those conversations he's been unbelievable in training in terms of his application.
“He has forced himself back into the reckoning in regards to his output in training. He's flying and is affecting things on the pitch."
But while other youngsters like Darragh Burns have stepped up to the plate, Clancy is mindful not to put too much pressure on young shoulders.
He said: “Having come in when I did, there was only one senior player signed. It was a massive rebuilding job and we’re still in the infancy stage of that.
“You don't want to be relying on too many of the young lads because you don't want to put them into pressure games.
“Not that they’re not ready for it, but if there are too many in the team it may affect them longer term. But Ben is a mature player for his age and will play a big part.”
McCormack’s best position is up for debate but, according to Clancy, only because he is so versatile across a variety of midfield and attacking positions.
Clancy added: “It depends what opposition you're playing against but his attributes are he's very good on the ball and can create things.
“He can play deeper or play higher to assist. It's about finding the best position for him but that's specific to the team we're playing against and where we're playing.”
Meanwhile, West Ham have not given St Pat’s any indication that they intend recalling Joseph Anang this summer - and Clancy hopes it stays that way.
The goalkeeper, 21, is on a season-long loan but the Hammers have the option of recalling him early.
Anang has been a hit between the posts for the Saints, who had to replace ‘Goalkeeper of the Year’ Vítězslav Jaroš after his Liverpool loan expired after the FAI Cup final win.
Clancy said: “Joe has benefited massively from coming over here and playing games. He's enjoying it and he's improving.
“He's now showing in games what he's doing in training all the time.
“I think he was harshly treated in the first game of the season (President’s Cup) in Tallaght when there was an absolute gale force wind coming off the mountain.
“He spilled one for the goal. But bar that, I can't think of anything he has done this season that he could have done much better with.
“It's just the nature of it as he's a young lad from outside the league. In the same game, Alan Mannus spilled one straight to Eoin Doyle and not a word was said about it.
“But I think Joe is really enjoying it here and playing a lot of games is a huge part of his development as a young professional who wants to improve.”
Clancy knows West Ham will have the final say and Anang’s form is not going unnoticed as he was recently on standby for England’s Under-21s.
“If he wants to stay, I'm sure the conversation will be that it's benefiting him, but that's down to the parent club as they’re the ones who pay the vast majority of his wages.
“We have had nothing but positive feedback from West Ham in regards to him being here.”
