Louie Annesley warns of threat of ever improving FCB Magpies

After a year’s absence Dundalk FC are big in European action later today when they face FCB Magpies in the Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar (Kick off 5PM), in the first round of qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

With the Lilywhites utilising the UK market to bolster up its squad this year, the prospect of continental football was one of the big draws of attracting players to commit to life in Louth. As was explained by one of the most consistent of those new signings, Louie Annesley.

“I spoke to the gaffer probably six or seven months ago before I signed up and one of the big selling points he spoke about was Europe” he stated when speaking to the Democrat ahead of the game.  

“We are all really excited. All the hard work since pre-season, that has been what you were running for. It is in your mind while running.”

Of course, the defender is in a unique position going into this two-legged fixture, as along with his commitment to Dundalk, he is also a member of the Gibraltar national team and has played in their league in the past.

With so little information available on the Magpies, given they have a new manager and 10 new plyers on their books, his knowledge of his international teammates will be vital asset as their squad is littered with guys who have played alongside Annesley for Gibraltar.

The 23-year-old was keen to stress this tie is not as easy as some make it out to be, while also making it clear that any friendships he has with the opposition will be forgotten once they head into battle at the Victoria Stadium.

“Football in Gibraltar is forever improving, both the national team and the league. The quality of the league has got a lot better since I was in it five years ago. This will be a tough game.

“I’m friends with a few of the boys, but as soon as it hits game day we aren’t and I’m sure they will be saying the same thing. After the game if we win, I’ll have a chat with them, if we lose or draw I won’t. The main thing tomorrow is we win and hopefully produce a performance to go with it.”

Some teams focus on getting any sort of result when playing away from home in Europe, but Dundalk FC fans are expecting a win this evening.

They will be happy to hear that is the mindset the players and staff are bringing to the game in Gibraltar, with nothing but a victory seen as a positive ahead of next week’s second leg in Oriel Park.

“In Europe you don’t want to go into a second leg with a negative result, as you put yourselves on the back foot” added Annesley.

“As the gaffer would tell you, we are a front foot team, so we are here to win. And going into leg two with a win would give us a huge advantage, so the message is all about winning and trying to play well too.

“We are ready after the last few weeks of prep and we are just eager to get out there now and focus on getting a big victory.”