Alan Bennett calls for Cork City to wake up to relegation battle

Alan Bennett says Cork City have to wake up and realise they are in a relegation battle.

Double winners in 2017, the new look Rebels are rock bottom of the table after Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat to Bohemians.

But with key games against Waterford and Sligo Rovers around the corner, club stalwart Bennett is staying positive.

“Sunday was frustrating because you’re waiting four months and building it all up in your head and then you go and concede the only goal in the first few minutes,” he said.

“It’s the League of Ireland and the first goal is always so important. But we have big games coming up next week and we have to take the positives.”

Bennett’s only experience of a relegation dogfight came at Wimbledon and he added: “The most important thing is we don’t play with a fear of losing.

“If you do that, that’s how you start to think. We have to get a feeling of winning games into the group.”

Neale Fenn’s charges lack experience but centre-back Bennett, 38, said: “Youthful enthusiasm is great as young players bounce back.

“We’re absolutely not too big to go down. The league is 12 games now and we have to do our best in every single game and not fear losing.”