VINNY PERTH told his squad to limit their movements after a cluster of positive Covid-19 test results at Dundalk.
But he believes he has handed his players a licence to thrill again since returning as Lilywhites boss.
Perth’s preparations for the visit of Welsh side Newtown were thrown into disarray as results from tests taken on Sunday as part of Uefa’s Covid protocols began to filter through.
It is thought three players — at least one of whom would have started — have been ruled out, with uncertainty surrounding a fourth, who would also have been in the XI.
Perth said: “We’ve been accused of disconnecting with the community over the past while and I feel there’s merit in that criticism.
“But the problem is we live in a Covid-19 world. Even now, the players have been told to keep a low profile.
TOTAL SHOCK
“They’ve had absolutely zero symptoms. They were absolutely shocked when myself and the doctor rang them.
“It does bring it home where we are as a country in terms of the Covid issue.
“I’d like to think we don’t have close contacts because of how well we manage this club.
“We’ve a couple of guys living together and we’re lucky they’re not part of it because that would have taken a whole house out. We’ve refused to allow them travel together.”
BE RESPECTFUL
Although Dundalk are firm favourites to progress, Perth referenced Longford Town’s 5-1 loss to Carmarthen Town in 2005 and Bohemians’ 4-0 defeat to TNS five years later.
He said: “You shouldn’t be disrespecting anyone, particularly at the level we’re at in European football.
“It’s an opportunity, we’re at home, we will be attack-minded because that’s what I believe in and with the away goals not counting I think it helps us in that sense.
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“The Derry and Longford games are huge examples of us creating 15 to 20 chances in both games. That’s the way I view games of football.
“I often say to players that if the opposition score three goals, just make sure we score four.
“It’s the mindset of the group, to be very attack-minded. We have just got to be as professional as we can be.”