Jake Mulraney believes Stephen Kenny has ‘sussed' out a tactical way to break down very defensive teams
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The former Nottingham Forest academy player signed for Pat's in 2023
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Stephen Kenny's side have struggled with league form but have won their first game in Europe
They hold a
And Mulraney reckons the Saints' Euro know-how from runs in 2022 and
But he loves the challenge as he admitted his coaching role with Leinster Senior League outfit Old County has piqued his interest in the tactical battles of Europe.
The winger explained: 'It has developed since I went in with Old County.
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'I look at the game a lot differently than I would have three years ago. I love looking back at games and I love the tactical side of it.
'I love watching how teams set up, how you can nullify their threats and how you can be a threat the other way.'
The 29-year-old highlighted the Conference League play-off round tie with Basaksehir last year as one tactical battle he relished as the Turks played with centre-halves who ran from deep.
But he noted that his interest has helped him this season as St Pat's struggled early on as teams denied him space.
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Mulraney added: 'I felt that teams were happy to sit in banks and crowd out the wide areas.
'It was a smart way of doing it but I think the gaffer, staff and the players have sussed out a way of getting around it.
Donald Trump spotted pocketing Club World Cup winners medal as president walks off stage
'I don't think I was great at the start of the year. But I feel like I've played a little bit better than I was last year coming into European games.
'I'm feeling good again. I just need to add the numbers I had last year.'
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And he believes that will come for him and the team soon having got over their near-seven-hour goal drought in last week's win over Hegelmann.
The Saints failed to net in 408 minutes before Aidan Keena's penalty saw off the Lithuanians. But having got one, Mulraney believes it should start a goal rush.
He continued: 'We know what we have in the changing room. The goal drought was unexpected.
'Even when we weren't playing as well as we are now, we were still scoring. I feel we have the firepower to turn it around.'
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