Baraclough - We can still win league

BULLISH Ian Baraclough believes that his out-of-sorts Sligo Rovers can still win the Premier Division title.

A handful of games into the season, Sligo have just one win. They are bottom-bar-one, with only Athlone beneath them and a ten-point gap stands between them and leader Cork City.

A one-nil defeat at the Brandywell to Derry City on Friday night continued their poor start. Sligo opened with a 2-1 win against Athlone Town, but they haven't managed a League goal since and have now lost to Bray Wanderers, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers and Derry in their last four League outings.

Baraclough spent a lengthy period with his players following the defeat in Derry, but the Sligo manager insists that his side's fortunes will turn around.

"There are too many good people working very hard for it not to," Baraclough declared.

"You will see some topsy-turvy results that will make this the closest League for a good few years. I think there is every chance of, not only getting into the top three, but of actually winning it.

"It's unusual and we haven't been used to it. We just keep telling the players to do the right thing. Everyone works really hard and the players are working so hard. It will turn eventually because it can't go any other way."

When they fell behind to Enda Curran's goal early in the second half, Sligo went in search of a way back into the contest, but a wonder save by the Derry goalkeeper Gerard Doherty kept out a powerful John Russell header at close range.

Baraclough said: "The save from Doherty from that point-blank header was unbelievable. If you saw that at the top level it would be shown over and over. Things like that just aren't going for us. 

"It was a frustrating evening. We played very well for long periods and had good possession of the football. We created good chances, but the sun just isn't shining on us."

Disappointed with the manner they allowed Curran the chance to shoot for his 54th minute match-winner, Baraclough says his side can learn from the goal that made this a first fruitless Foyleside visit for Sligo since 2007.

He said: "It was a good strike. I spoke to the lads about taking chances or about asking questions of goalkeepers and defenders. It took a strike from 25 yards and it found the corner. If he hadn't gone for it he wouldn't have got it. Sometimes we turn down those to look for the perfect goal."