Season Preview 2014 - Sligo Rovers

Manager: Ian Baraclough

Stadium: The Showgrounds

Players In: Danny Ledwith (Shamrock Rovers), Paul O'Conor (Drogheda United), Kalen Spillane (Cork City), John Russell (St. Patrick's Athletic), Richard Brush (Shamrock Rovers), Sean Maguire (West Ham-Loan), Eric Odhiambo (Hereford).

Players Out: Anthony Elding (Cork City), Lee Lynch (St. Patrick's Athletic),David McMillan (Dundalk), Danny Ventre (Derry City), Iarfhlaith Davoren (unattached), Pascal Millien (Sheikh Russell), Matt Gledhill (Cork City), Ryan Connolly (Galway FC), Liam Martin (Ballinamallard), Marty Owens (Galway FC).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Danny North

The “Bit o’ Red’s” cup final hero will need to have his shooting boots on this season if Sligo are to have a chance of reclaiming the title they relinquished last season. After Anthony Elding’s departure to Cork, Ian Baraclough's men will be relying on him even more so to fire them to glory.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Eric Odhiambo

The Tanzanian international has been a target for Sligo for some time and Ian Baraclough finally got his man in the off-season after a short term deal with Hereford. He has put in a string of impressive performances in pre-season and scored a hat-trick on his competitive debut in the Setanta Sports Cup, If he was to strike up a partnership with North, the “Bit O’Red” could be too hot to handle this year.

How they did last season:

League: 3rd

FAI Cup: Winners

EA Sports Cup: Semi-Final

Setanta Sports Cup: Semi-Final

Top League Goalscorer: Anthony Elding (12)

What to expect for 2014:

The “Bit o'Red” will no doubt be in the chasing pack this season as they have been in recent seasons, their signings may not have been of the same calibre as some of their title rivals but there is a very talented squad at the Showgrounds. They will be tough to score against with an experienced back four (Alan Keane, Gavin Peers and co.), creative midfield (Joseph N’do, Kieran Djilali) but it will be the performances of Sligo’s front line (Danny North, Sean Maguire) that will decide if the league crown goes west this season.

Title Odds: 3/1

First Game: Athlone Town (H)