Cork City boss Robson fully aware of need for calm in heat of derby battle
COOL HEADS: Cork City manager Barry Robson knows his team need to be calm in the derby heat. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Cork City's title credentials have been on full-show in the early knockings of their latest First Division venture.
Nine points from a possible nine for new boss Barry Robson. Both Seani Maguire and Ruairi Keating are off the mark. Young Cillian Murphy is strutting his stuff in midfield.
Thus, life is good for Robson and his City charges, but what awaits on Friday night is a trip to take on rivals Cobh Ramblers at St Colman's Park, where Fran Rockett's hosts will be hell-bent on bursting the league leaders' bubble.
Robson knows all about derbies from his playing days at Celtic, Dundee United and Middlesbrough; experiences that ensure the former Scotland international is fully aware of the elevated challenge his side will face.
"I've been involved in lots, I've played in lots," Robson said. "They're the games I love to be involved in, and the players love to be involved in. It's going to be tight pitch, a hostile atmosphere, all the things that are really enjoyable for a player to play in.
"I've played in the Old Firm derby, I've played in the Dundee derby, I've played in the Middlesbrough-Sunderland derby, the Teesside derby.
"It's always a game that you've got to bring that energy, but you've also got to be calm as well. When the madness is going on around, you've got to try and be calm when the ball comes to you and make the right decisions.
The aforementioned strike force of Maguire and Keating have already knocked in a few each, and new signing Hans Mpongo is up and running too.
However, the one-nil victory over Bray Wanderers last time out saw City fail to live up to their xG of well over three on the night.
Robson insisted that it's not a cause for concern.
"I'm still really confident in my players. I still believe in them", the 47-year-old said. "I think they will score goals and I think if you're creating chances it's the most important thing. But I also believe in these boys, and have real faith in them. It's the most difficult thing to do in a football pitch is score goals, but these boys are proven at doing it."
"We just have to keep feeding them and getting that service into them and hopefully the more chances we get for them, the more goals they'll score."
Bishopstown has always been a breeding ground for top talent. Cathal O'Sullivan - who completed his move to Preston North End on Thursday - and Benfica starlet Jaden Umeh are the latest to prove that.
There's little doubt that 16-year-old midfielder Murphy is the next top academy talent. He's proven such over the last few weeks, and Robson's most recent take on Murphy tells us exactly why he carries such a tag.
He's a terrific young kid," Robson said. "He's been a breath of fresh air for us and he's a player that we admire and a player that is doing really well at the minute.
"We need to keep his feet on the ground, stay calm with him and keep improving him... he's a bright kid, he's a smart kid, he understands it. He's the type of kid who's never going to get carried away.
"When you have him in the building, you see him going to pick the mannequins up, tidying things up. He's doing these real basic things well. If you're coaching him, he takes on instruction.
"He makes sure he does everything in the gym. He does all the real things that will help you and make you a better football player."
Galway United v Dundalk, Eamonn Deacy Park; Waterford v Bohemians, RSC; Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Tallaght Stadium (8pm), Shelbourne v Waterford, Tolka Park (8pm).
Bray Wanderers v Athlone Town, Carlisle Grounds; Cobh Ramblers v Cork City, St Colman’s Park; Finn Harps v Wexford, Finn Park; Treaty United v Kerry, Markets Field.
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