Ballinamallard have conceded ten goals in their last two games, but the morale within the squad remains high according to centre back Ryan McConnell. 
The defender was at the heart of the defence as Ballinamallard followed up their league cup thrashing by Dungannon with a 4-0 defeat to Linfield at the National Stadium, but despite the recent dip in form Ryan believes the signs are positive for the rest of the league campaign. 
“I don’t think one or two bad results defines the whole season. I still think we are going from strength to strength and hopefully we can keep the good results going,” he said. 
“The manger brought a lot of new players in and obviously it was going to take time for the players that are already there to bond with the new players like myself and Ross Taheny. 
“We started off slowly but in the last few weeks we have had some good results. I know we lost to Linfield but it’s difficult to play Linfield away. At the end of the day it was 4-0 but I don’t think they cut us open that much. We just gave away stupid goals.”
The former Finn Harps player celebrated his 21st birthday at the start of this month and has teamed up this season with 19 year old Ross Taheny in a youthful Ballinamallard defence. 
Gavin Dykes admitted that his young side would make mistakes this season but they would learn, and Ryan is in agreement. 
“We are two young lads and we are still learning off each other and learning off the more experienced players,” he admitted. 
“Gavin who has played that position teaches us a lot and Steve Feeney as well. It’s a good partnership because we are young and learning together.”
Ryan’s move to Ferney Park was preceded by a prolonged spell on the side lines through injury, and allied to the fact he had to adjust to new teammates Ryan admitted he may not have been at his best at the start of the season.
But he reckons he is now starting to show the Mallard fans what he can do. 
“I had a very long time out of football so I’m just enjoying playing every week,” he said.
 “I have felt that that is what I needed and obviously Gavin gave me the opportunity.
“Mentally it took a while for me to get used to the fact that I could last 90 minutes but I am feeling sharper now, more alert mentally and feeling switched on. 
“I’m feeling a lot better as every week goes on. 
“The lads have been great so it’s only really on the pitch where it has taken me a bit of time to settle in. 
“Off the pitch everything has been fine. It’s just about getting used to playing with each other and the different ways of playing and I’m enjoying the challenge,” said McConnell.