Westmeath selector Michael 'Spike' Fagan isn't reaching for the panic button just yet after the Lake County's heavy defeat to DCU last weekend. Brendan Hackett's reign as manager got off to a very poor start when his new charges suffered a 10-point loss to the students, but writing in his local newspaper column, Fagan stressed that it is still early days in the season and that it will take time and patience before things finally come together. "Rome was not built in a day and certainly not without all the necessary materials in place," the former Compromise Rules star said. "It may have been a generally disappointing start to the new Brendan Hackett era, but many more seasoned observers will be fully aware of the fact that a new unproven and untried side doesn't suddenly 'click' either. "The whole emphasis on Westmeath's participation in this year's O'Byrne Cup was to try out a largely experimental team and give some of these debutants a taste of the kind of standard to expect at inter-county level. "The recent adverse weather certainly hampered the team's preparation and the minimal amount of pre-match ball-work certainly showed in Westmeath's display against a very well-drilled college side from DCU. "Apart from a work-out in Cavan on Wednesday evening and a short kick around under lights on Friday evening, the management team always knew they were under pressure to make an impression, never mind perform last Sunday." He continued: "For all the disappointed Westmeath supporters, I'm sorry there was not something more to cheer about last Sunday but it is far better for supporters to show concern than to show no interest whatsoever. "Supporters have fond memories of the heady days of 2004 and that is where they want the team to return eventually, but as last Sunday proved, there is no instant solution to building a successful team." Tweet

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