Joel Coustrain admits that restoring confidence is the first thing Neale Fenn has done for Cork City.
On loan at Turner’s Cross since the end of June from Shamrock Rovers, Coustrain says it’s a relief to the players to have the managerial situation sorted out following Fenn’s arrival at the start of the week from Longford Town.
The Londoner watched in Galway last Friday as the Leesiders’ season took another hit when they were knocked out of the FAI Cup.
“It was a tough game,” acknowledged Coustrain. “I wasn’t at my best at all. It was tough to take but we feel confident going into this one. All you can do is keep going.”
The confidence stems from a new beginning.
Former Ireland underage international Coustrain can feel the belief returning to the squad on the back of some “solid training” this week.
“It’s brought a boost to the club,” said the 23-year-old winger, as Fenn, a 2005 league winner with Cork, replaced John Cotter in the City hot seat and quickly had to take preparations for tonight’s league clash with Sligo Rovers.
“The lads haven’t been confident lately but we’re feeling confident going into this game. It will be a tough one, though, they’ve had a few wins under their belt coming into it.”
Former Sheffield United youth Coustrain’s prior knowledge of Fenn mostly came from Rovers colleague Greg Bolger.
“Greg used to tell me Neale had a great touch of the football, so I told him that,” he joked.
“He’s really hands on and he’s all about playing football and so the lads are happy to hear it.
“He’s been a great addition to the club and I’m sure he’s going to do very well here.
“I know he used to play for Tottenham and obviously he was coaching Longford but it was my first time meeting him. It seems all pretty positive.
“I like playing with the ball at my feet the whole time. Over in England, in the academy, it was all football based so it will be good to see what happens now.
“He just wants everyone to play their own game and be confident. As players we like to hear that.”
As for his own future when the season ends, Limerick man Coustrain admits that it’s up in the air.
“I’m still under contract with Rovers so you never know, hopefully I play well here and then we’ll see what Stephen Bradley says about me,” he said.
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