League Preview: Derry City -v- Drogheda United

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be looking to put a tumultuous few weeks behind them as they face fellow strugglers Drogheda Utd at the Brandywell on Friday evening, kick-off 7.45pm.

Peter Hutton especially will be hoping to get his first home game as boss off to a winning start as the club try to find stability after the chaos that was the tenure of Roddy Collins.

Derry will have to do without their captain Cliff Byrne as he sits the game out due to suspension. Mark Stewart, David Elebert and Mark Timlin are also unavailable through injury although there is good news in the fact that talisman Rory Patterson is back after sitting two games out following his red card three weeks ago.

Derry were criticised for being too negative under the previous regime and it seems Hutton is determined to bring a more offensive style of play to his hometown club.  That should see starts for attacking minded players like Patrick McEleney, Michael Duffy, Barry McNamee and Rory Patterson as Derry look to take advantage of a Drogheda side humbled 7-0 by Dundalk in Tuesdays Louth derby.

Speaking ahead of the game to derrycityfc.net, the new manager said: "The whole squad are really looking forward to Friday night. The lads have trained really well this week and are showing some great enthusiasm. Although we lost last weekend to Cork we came away from the game with a lot of positives. The lads got the ball on the ground and put together some very good passing moves which just lacked a finishing touch and composure.

“Overall I was very pleased with these aspects of the game. This Friday will again be a tough test for the side, after the loss to Dundalk on Tuesday. Robby Horgan will be looking for a response from his side. And I’m sure they will come to the Brandywell fired up and ready to make amends for that result so we must be on our guard."

I would expect a rejuvenated and hungry Rory Patterson to have a huge say on the outcome of this game and City will also be bolstered by the return to centre half of Shane McEleney due to Byrne sitting the game out.

DROGHEDA UTD

Drogheda Utd will be keen to put thoughts of Tuesday night's hammering at the hands of Dundalk to one side as they attempt to bounce back against Derry City at the weekend.

The Louth side do not have their sorrows to seek however as they are missing a number of key personnel for what could prove a very difficult trip to the Brandywell. Michael Schlingermann, Stephen Maher and Cathal Brady all miss out with injuries whilst Eric Foley and Gavin Brennan sit out due to suspension.

Drogheda have conceded 28 goals in thirteen games, the second worst defensive record in the division so they will be hoping to thwart a Derry side whose paltry eight goals scored is also the worst in the league.

Speaking earlier in the week Robbie Horgan said: "For fifty minutes on Tuesday, I felt that we were well in the game and were unfortunate to hit the post early in the second half but the concession of the second goal was vital. We felt that Eric Foley was fouled in the build-up but the referee didn’t give the decision and Eric took exception to that which you can’t do.

“Dundalk are an excellent side and it was always going to be a struggle from that point onwards, saying that you don’t want to get beaten 7-0 by your local rivals. Once the third goal went in, the floodgates opened. As disappointing as the result was, we have to put a line through it and concentrate on Friday. There were a few home truths told in the dressing room after the game.

“Even though we were down to ten men, there are no excuses for conceding seven goals which was embarrassing for the football club. The game plan did work for fifty minutes but football is a ninety-minute game. Our discipline must be better because with eleven men on the pitch we still could have caused an upset. It is important to learn from these mistakes but not to dwell on them either; the great thing about this league is that the games come thick and fast. 

“I’m confident that the players will respond to the criticism, nobody involved with the club wants to lose by that margin in any game. The best way to react to a defeat like that isn’t to talk about it but to show it won’t happen again on the pitch. What’s happened has happened and the best way to answer the criticism is to put in a positive performance at the Brandywell tomorrow night.”

Declan O'Brien will be key to any Drogheda hopes as he seems to relish playing against the Candystripes.

Referee: Derek Tomney

MATCH STATS

Only three of Roddy Collins' signings played in Peter Hutton’s first game in charge last week.

Drogheda have conceded 28 goals this season, only 2 less than basement club Athlone Town.

No Derry City player has managed more than 2 goals this season.

BETTING

Derry City 8/11; Draw 5/2; Drogheda Utd 7/2

PREDICTION

Derry City 2 - 1 Drogheda Utd  

Derry City

Injured: Mark Stewart, Mark Timlin, David Elebert.
Suspended: Cliff Byrne.

Drogheda Utd

Injured: Michael Schlingermann, Stephen Maher, Cathal Brady.
Suspended: Eric Foley, Gavin Brennan.