League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Sligo Rovers

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United host Sligo Rovers at United Park (KO 7.45pm), after losing yet another game last Friday night. They lost 1-0 to Bray Wanderers and Johnny McDonnell was not impressed with the performance.

“It was our worst performance in two or three months. We never got going in any form in the first half and although the performance picked up as the game went on, we didn’t deserve to leave with a result.”

He's hoping his team will immediately start performing again and pick up a win, as Drogheda United are still involved in a scrap to avoid relegation. However, he's also aware Sligo Rovers are going to be a big challenge, as they'll have regrouped under their new manager.

“It is a massive game for us but I think it is an even bigger one for them. All the pressure will be on Sligo to get a result as they are behind us in the table.

“Bringing in a new manager in Micky Adams will obviously give them a shot of confidence but a win for us will put a real gap between ourselves and the play-off position and that will be our aim.”

Johnny McDonnell will be without Lloyd Buckley ahead of this game as he's suffering from a throat infection. Tiarnan Mulvenna is suspended due to amassing a total of five yellow cards over the course of the season to date.

SLIGO ROVERS

Four consecutive league defeats and the resurgence of Derry City and Limerick suddenly find Sligo Rovers adrift from the pack in the relegation-playoff position and in danger of dropping into last place.

Micky Adams took charge of his first game as Sligo manager against Cork last Saturday. Almost inevitably, Sligo lost 2-0 on the night, but Adams believes his players haven't been fazed.

“They’ve been fine. Obviously disappointed with the last result, not the performance, but the result. As far as everyone is concerned we draw a line under it, forget about it and prepare as well as we can for the next game.”

Adams is full of enthusiasm and calmness as Sligo come to Drogheda in search of points. With games running out for Sligo to escape a potential relegation, such an attitude will be necessary, as well as the performances improving on the pitch. Ahead of the game, Adams believes he and his players are suitably prepared to go in search of a win against Drogheda.

“I have seen a little bit of them, I know their shape and their personnel that are involved with them. But I’ve concentrated mainly on us and what we can do better and how we want to play so we are ready for the game.

“We haven’t set any points target, there are 10 games left and we want 30 points. I want to win every game, that’s the way I approach football, it’s 11 v 11 and we want to win as many games as we can and if we can win all ten then that’s great.”

Adams has had the luxury of a full week preparing for this game. He also is able to welcome back John Russell and Danny Ledwith into contention for a first team place as they've recovered from injury. David Cawley returns from suspension, while Anthony Elding has returned to the club, re-signing on Monday after having trained with the club in recent weeks. Jeff Henderson remains injured, while Ruairi Keating, Kevin Devaney and Liam Flatley are all injury doubts.

Referee: Ray Matthews.

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers meet for the third time this season. Drogheda won 3-2 in this exact fixture on the second day of the season, while Sligo comfortably won 2-0 at The Showgrounds in May.

Both teams are in bad form. Drogheda have picked up a single point from their previous five league games. Drogheda last tasted victory at the end of June. Sligo have lost 4 consecutive league games, having not won since 11^th July. Both teams also have lost exactly 13 league games each this season.

Anthony Elding's final game for Sligo during his first spell at the club saw him score a dramatic winner in the last minute of the 2013 FAI Cup final. He may make his return to the Sligo first XI against the team whom he scored 4 goals against in 2013.

BETTING

Drogheda United 13/8; Draw 23/10; Sligo Rovers 8/5.

PREDICTION

This is a game both managers will believe they can win. Neither team is having much luck in front of goal this season, and therefore it could be hard for either team to find that first goal. However, as the game carries on it could be a case of Johnny McDonnell realising a draw is better than a defeat, and perhaps Sligo's positivism in search of a win over the 90 minutes will hand them the victory.

Drogheda United 0 – 1 Sligo Rovers

Drogheda United

Injured:  Lloyd Buckley.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Tiarnan Mulvenna.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Jeff Henderson.

Doubtful: Ruairi Keating, Kevin Devaney, Liam Flatley.

Suspended: None.