We're fully focused says Caanen

Ton Caanen is aware that St Patrick's, with 20 league matches under their belt, will offer Valletta a sterner challenge than Keflavik did in the first qualifying round of the Europa League but the positive mood in the City clan has given the Dutch coach cause for optimism.

"The players are absolutely focused," Caanen told The Times ahead of this evening's first leg of the Europa League second qualifying round at Richmond Park.

"Our qualification has given the players a very good feeling. There have been some nice reports about Valletta in the press and our progress has also been widely viewed as a boost for Maltese football.

"It's been a good summer so far but I've told the players that if they want to enjoy more bright days, they must continue to work seriously and focus on their game against St Patrick's."

St Pats have been struggling badly in the league as their meagre record of 11 defeats in 20 matches amply illustrates.

Caanen was at Richmond Park last Friday when St Patrick's surrendered a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 upset to Galway United but he claimed that the result was harsh on the home side.

"They didn't deserve to lose," Caanen said.

"St Patrick's dictated play for 85 minutes but luck deserted them in that game. Keflavik didn't look like a team who had already played 10 league matches but with St Patrick's, the situation is different."

Caanen has no intention to alter his team's tactical configuration tonight.

"The formation will be the same but the players have to adjust and vary their movement on the field of play," he remarked.

"For me, these matches are an opportunity to gauge the progress of the team. These games have come too early I suppose because I haven't had enough time to work on the physical and tactical aspects.

"Had we played St Patrick's in November, I think we'd have been better prepared."

Caanen's determination to ensure that all his players are fully focused has also seen him taking the somewhat unusual step of asking his charges to write down their thoughts about the match.

"When you ask a person to think and write about an important task, you make him more aware of his responsibilities," Caanen explained.

"You make players feel like they're their own coaches. Even if I achieve an improvement of just two per cent through this exercise, it's always a bonus."

Although Caanen thinks that St Patrick's have a slight edge over Valletta in terms of match fitness, he still struck an upbeat note about his team's chances.

"I'd say that they are one or two steps ahead of us at this moment but in football, everything is possible," the former Metalurg Donetsk coach said.

"The first leg in European matches is always important. So, we have to keep our chances alive before the second leg."

Caanen is expected to pick the same team that started the two games against Keflavik.

Doding Priso is available after landing in Dublin yesterday evening. The winger's departure from Malta was delayed by visa-related problems but Priso received the green light to make the trip to Ireland in time.

Dyson Falzon and Priso, scorers of Valletta's goals in last week's 2-2 draw away to Keflavik, will be looking to exploit their pace to unsettle St Patrick's on the wings and provide adequate service for towering striker Geert Den Ouden.

Captain Gilbert Agius, Jamie Pace and Cruyff will be expected to combine graft with craft in midfield while the four slots at the back will go to Roderick Briffa, Steve Bezzina, Luke Dimech and Kenneth Scicluna. Andrew Hogg will guard Valletta's goal tonight.

Judging by his pre-match comments, Jeff Kenna, the St Patrick's coach, has made a detailed analysis of Valletta's strengths and weaknesses.

"This (Kenna's comments) shows that Valletta have gained a lot of respect after reaching the second qualifying round of the Europa League," Caanen said.

"St Patrick's are taking us very seriously. Jeff Kenna travelled to Iceland to watch us play against Keflavik. This is the way I like to work."

Around 70 Valletta supporters are expected to attend tonight's game at Richmond Park.

"It's a positive thing. It shows that Maltese fans are willing to spend money to travel and support their teams overseas," Caanen said.

"We should feel proud that Valletta fans have come to Ireland to support the team."

O'Brien boost

St Patrick's yesterday confirmed that Dundalk striker Declan O'Brien has signed for the club on loan until the end of the 2009 season.

O'Brien, who has also been approached by Roddy Collins, the new coach of Floriana, joined St Pats' squad yesterday ahead of today's Europa League match.

Kenna hopes that his side's encounter with Valletta will kickstart their season.

"It will be a break from the frustrations of the league and the opportunity to compete in the Europa League," Kenna told the club's website.

"Teams build on the strength of their home form so it is important for us to get a good result on Thursday (today).

"We'll be going out to score right from the start and we'll be taking the game to them."

Valletta (probable): A. Hogg, G. Agius, R. Briffa, S. Bezzina, K. Scicluna, J. Pace, D. Falzon, G. Den Ouden, N. Priso, L. Dimech, J. Cruyff.

Referee: Andrejs Sipailo (Latvia).

Kick-off: 8.45 p.m. (live on Melita Sports).