Cork City manager John Cotter believes his side must make a positive start tonight if they are to overcome their two-goal deficit against Progrés Niederkorn in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. City are in Luxembourg ahead of their r
Cork City manager John Cotter believes his side must make a positive start tonight if they are to overcome their two-goal deficit against Progrés Niederkorn in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.
City are in Luxembourg ahead of their return leg with Progrés and they know they need to score at least two goals if they are to have any hope of setting up a second-round qualifying clash with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers.
“That is what you have to do. You have to be positive and we have been positive since we have come back in,” said Cotter.
“We spoke about the mistakes we made (in the first leg) and from then on it is dealt with. We have to be positive going into Thursday because if you are not, it is pointless going over.
“So we are going over to be positive and to try to take the game to them. See where that takes us and that is what we have to do, and make sure we give nothing stupid away.
“We have had a good week, good sessions and we have to be positive. As I said after the match on Thursday, we have to go over and be positive. That is the way we have been. That is the way we have approached it and hopefully we take that into the game.
“You still have to go out and go out try to get the first goal and see where that takes us. That is what we are planning to do, give nothing stupid away as you are really chasing it then.
“Our plan will be to go out and try to get the first goal in the game. Try to open up the tie and I feel we could do that if we perform like we should perform.”
The Leesider’s are in this predicament following a disastrous night at Turner’s Cross last Thursday evening. Cotter has admitted confidence in the squad is low at the moment but there is enough experience amongst the group to turn it around.
“I thought we started quite well to be honest. It was just when the first goal went in, we just lost our way for 20 minutes or so,” remembers Cotter.
“A lot of that comes down to confidence as well, a lot of boys are suffering with confidence but look we need to be better than that. We have addressed that and spoke about that. Hopefully Thursday we can go out and put in a performance. As I said hopefully get the first goal and see where that takes us to then.
“There is a lot of experience there. As I said, there is confidence issues with a few, there probably is which is understandable to.
“But there is a lot of experience in the dressing room and we would be looking to call on all of that. We will need all of that on Thursday. I have no doubt if we can perform well, try to open up the tie and see where that takes us towards the end of the game.”
