Stephen Kenny has admitted that there is 'work to do' in order for St Pats to catch up to League of Ireland Premier Division rivals Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Derry City.
The former Republic of Ireland boss has cited the quality of the squad he inherited when he took over as manager on May 16th as an issue that needs to be improved.
Kenny's comments come after Friday night's thrilling 2-2 draw between Bohemians and St Pats, in which the visitors took the lead in the 28th minute thanks to a penalty from Captain Chris Forrester.
Bohs levelled the scoring in the 40th minute thanks to a neat finish from James Akintunde, but it was the men from Inchicore who got the final say before half-time, with Cian Kavanagh scoring in the 45+6th minute.
St Pats' lead was held until the 91st minute, when Danny Grant scored a last-minute equalising header to send Dalymount Park into raptures.
Right on the 91:00 mark: limbs in Phibsborough.
Danny Grant's equaliser at Dalymount for Bohs. Stephen Kenny's wait for his first win as St Pat's manager goes on.pic.twitter.com/ztE4UeJzpf— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 24, 2024
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Stephen Kenny Makes Sobering Admission On Current St. Pats Squad
Speaking after Friday night's dramatic draw in Dalymount Park, Stephen Kenny highlighted some of the key areas in which he looks to make quick improvements as manager, one of which being the quality of the squad.
We have a lot of work to do, we will be good, I am working on getting things right behind the scenes, getting the training ground and the infrastructure right, we improve our squad.
It will take a bit of time, we're not at the level of Shamrock Rovers or Derry or Shels who are flying, we need to gradually improve but we will do that, I know we will do that.
We need to add to the squad and make it stronger. Overall, some really good performances, the first two against Derry and Shelbourne, good technical performances. Bohs was just a real battle and the players had to show real quality so I was happier.
Kenny's reign has gotten off to a difficult start, picking up just one point from a possible nine. In fairness, his side have faced league leaders Shelbourne and runners up Derry City, where they conceded goals late in the second half to slump to two defeats.
On his side's performance in Phibsborough last night, Kenny admitted that he was more pleased with his side on this occasion in comparison to his first couple of games in charge.
"We showed less technical quality, but I was happy that we had more semblance of a team today. Even though we conceded a late goal, there was very visibly a more united sense of effort. Everyone was giving 100%, no doubt about that, but you've got to do that within the framework of a unit.”
"I am only in a few days, we have to build a strong, cohesive team unit, that's what gets you over the line."
Kenny made an interesting reference to the goal-of-the-season contender free kick scored by Jake Mulraney against Shels on Monday:
When Jake scored the other night, the goal of the season, we didn't celebrate together, what's that about? You celebrate your goals as a group. show your joy, that's why you are in it and they did it on Friday with the two goals, it's all part of it.
It's safe to say Kenny has his work cut out for him in his early days as St. Pats manager.
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