Season Preview 2016 - Bohemians

Manager: Keith Long

Stadium: Dalymount Park

Players in: Ayman Ben Mohamed (Longford Town), Kurtis Byrne (Dundalk), Mark Quigley (Derry City).

Players out: Aaron Ashe (Drogheda United), Jason Byrne (UCD), Robbie Creevy (Bray Wanderers), Kealon Dillon (Longford Town), Marc Griffin (Drogheda United), Aaron Molloy (Drogheda United), Karl Moore (Bray Wanderers).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Lorcan Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald will be a pivotal part of the Bohemians team in 2016. Last season the former West Ham player stood over the ball for most set plays, his consistent deliveries helping the Gypsies to a top half finish. The Swords man was defensively solid and is no doubt one of the first names on Keith Long's team sheet every week, having played 27 games at left back last season.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Ismahil Akinade

Akinade joined Bohemians in July 2015 and in just 18 appearances scored ten goals. Having played only half a season he was still short-listed for the PFAI Young Player of the Year award. If the Nigerian-born striker picks up where he left off last season it might just be worth a punt on him to finish as the league's top scorer. The former St Pats youth team player will have some stiff competition from new signings Kurtis Byrne and Mark Quigley, who are both capable of providing goals if Akinade does not rise to the challenge.

How they did last season:

League: 5^th - At the start of last season they were tipped by most to be involved in the mid table scrap. However Keith Long's men had a different plan, finishing the first round of matches firmly in the top half of the table, threatening to compete for a European spot. It was not until the last round of matches that a top four finish started to look out of reach. The Gypsies will be happy with more of the same this season but will hope to push on and improve on their good form. Only Cork City and St Pat's were able to beat them twice last season, and they were the only team to beat Dundalk during the campaign.

FAI Cup: Third Round - Bohemians lost 1-0 at home to Bray Wanderers thanks to a Peter Glynn cross that was deemed to have gone over the line by linesman Robert Clarke. Bohemians beat Firhouse Clover 4-1 in the second round after a shaky first half which finished with Clover scoring an equaliser. A Robbie Creevy brace just before the hour mark put them back on track.

EA Sports Cup: Quarter Final – Having beaten Athlone Town and Longford Town in the first two rounds of the League Cup, the gypsies failed to beat Galway United in their quarter final. Jake Keegan scored the winner for the Tribemen early in extra time and Bohemians were beaten for a second time in three days at Eamonn Deacy Park.

What to expect this season:

Bohs boss Keith Long has shown a lot of faith in his team from last season, re-signing his first choice defenders as well as goalkeeper Dean Delany. Roberto Lopes will continue in holding midfield in 2016, and defensive consistency should bring confidence to the entire squad. The new players signed strengthen the side, with Ayman Ben Mohamed and Kurtis Byrne impressing during pre-season.

The Gypsies will likely finish in the top half again this season, as the teams below them have not strengthened enough to catch up with the top five. The real challenge this season will be breaking into the top four. The new signings should provide some entertainment in the attacking third. If Akinade can better his goal tally this season and their defence doesn't suffer last season's injuries, Bohs might just push for a spot in Europe or have a decent run in one of the cups.

Title Odds: 40-1.

First game: Cork City (Turners Cross), Friday 4^th March, 7:45pm.