Neil Farrugia has hailed manager Stephen Bradley for Shamrock Rovers’ turnaround in fortunes this season.
The Hoops have ended a six-game winless start to the year in style, beating Dundalk and Bohemians in their own backyards and scoring six goals in the process.
According to Farrugia, who has excelled at wing-back so far this term, it’s down to Bradley’s positivity during the tough times.
“One of the things he really tells us is to trust what we do. Trust how we play and the outcome will come from it,” said the former UCD man, ahead of tonight’s clash with the Students (Tallaght Stadium, 8pm).
“He repeats that a lot and it’s powerful. It’s huge, especially at the start of the season when we’re drawing games.
“We lost against Derry, we were coming off the pitch and thought we had played alright.
“The gaffer is keeping us calm, reminding us all the time to trust each other and it’s really powerful because it keeps us confident going into the next game.”
It was Farrugia’s opener that set Rovers on the road to victory over Bohs at Dalymount Park last Friday night.
The 23-year-old has been a considerable attacking force for Rovers this year on the right-hand-side, with his pace and direct style giving opposing defenders plenty of problems.
“When I get the ball the first thought in my head is to be positive with it,” he explained.
“You find that once you get positive players around you, they come and support you. You get little one-twos, defenders then start to drop off. All of a sudden you are in the box.
“Just be positive on the ball, that is my mental note at all times within games.
“When confidence is low after some results, the easy thing is to make easy passes back or inside and not try to take on men.
“I think sometimes in games, especially as a wing-back you have to keep the width and trust the players to get the ball forward.
“You are not really in control of the game but we have brilliant players in midfield.
“You have to trust those players so when they get it wide that’s when I’m most dangerous.
“It’s about trusting the boys to get the ball forward.”
As for the victory, he said: “Mentally, it was a good win for us, regardless of the fact it was Bohs, a Dublin derby.
“We have been playing well and results haven’t fallen our way.
“The win against Dundalk, the win against Bohs, it’s good momentum that we have now, confidence for us and the way we are threatening teams we are on a good path.”
Farrugia is confident that Rovers can keep the wins coming and push higher up the table.
Now in fifth place, they are four off second-placed Derry City and another three off leaders Bohemians.
“It’s going to be a tight season. We are fully concentrated on ourselves and focused on our performances. The outcomes we want will come,” he said.
“I’ve felt on the pitch from the start of the season that we have been playing good football.
“A few red cards here and there, results haven’t fallen our way.
“Now results are falling, a bit of luck is coming, now the momentum is starting to come and mentally we are becoming more confident.”
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