Season Preview 2017 - Derry City

Manager: Kenny Shiels

Stadium: Maginn Park (Buncrana, Co Donegal)

Players in: Mark Timlin (St Patrick's Athletic), Eric Grimes (Cork City), Nicky Low (Dundee - loan),, Mikhail Kennedy (Charlton Athletic - loan), Alon Netzer (ASA Tirgu Mures)

Players out: Gareth McGlynn (retired), Conor McCormack (Cork City), Shaun Patton (Sligo Rovers), Keith Ward (Bohemians), Patrick McClean (Waterford), Niclas Vemmelund (Dundalk)

Extratime.ie Key Man: Rory Patterson

The Strabane man netted 16 times for the Candystripes last season and helped the team steamroll into a European place. Kenny Shiels will need Patterson to be at his very best if they are to have another very good season. A busy schedule will put even more pressure on the squad and without a confident Patterson then the team may struggle for goals, But if the likes of Aaron McEneff and Barry McNamee can chip in like they did last year then the pressure may ease off Patterson and he may get back to what he does best with ease.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Mikhail Kennedy

The Derry man has returned home on a five-month loan deal from Charlton Athletic after scoring 7 goals in his last 3 appearances for the London outfit in the under-23 development league. Kennedy will offer Derry another attacking threat up front this season and is sure to get goals for the Candystripes. Rory Patterson was Derry's only substantial source of goals from the forward position last season and Shiels will be looking for Kennedy to help the Strabane man out this season and ease the pressure off the former Northern Ireland international.

How they did last season:

League:

The Candystripes had a terrific season last year finishing in a European spot. Kenny Shiels not only achieved the expectations given to him by the board but he gave the fans the attacking football they have been missing for years. Shiels availed of the club’s youth setup heavily last year and it paid off for the former Kilmarnock manager. An opening day defeat to rivals Finn Harps sent the Foylesiders back from Ballybofey with gloom faces, but their fortunes soon changed and what a contrast come August when the Candystripes recorded a 5-0 victory over Harps at Finn Park.

Derry’s average eleven was no older than 24 last season and they helped the team play attractive attacking football and pleased the fans with their free-scoring exploits. Four straight league wins helped the Candystripes secure third position last season as they finished seven points ahead of Shamrock Rovers who finished in fourth.

FAI Cup:

The Candystripes failed to reach the final of the competition but again went on a very respectable run, eventually being put out in the semi-finals. A 2-2 draw against tat the Oriel meant a replay was needed in Derry. In front of a packed crowd at the Brandywell, the Foylesiders failed to get over the line as Dundalk snatched a 2-1 and the Aviva dream was over for this young Derry side.

EA Sports Cup:

After a hard fought win at the Brandywell against Sligo Rovers, the Candystripes traveled to Turners Cross to face a high-flying Cork City side. The Candystripes had already beaten Cork in the league at the Brandywell in March but faced a much tougher test in Leeside. However, after a gruelling 120 minutes of football, it was the Candystripes who came away with the victory. Dean Jarvis got the winner deep in extra-time to give Derry a place in the semi-finals. But the semi-finals was as far as the Foylersiders would get as First Division leaders Limerick spoiled the party for the Derry faithful at the Brandywell and the red and white army were sent packing.

What to expect this season:

The Candystripes had a really good year last season after finishing seventh in 2015 and 30 points off third place. The Candystripes lost quite a few key players during the transfer window, such as Conor McCormack and Niclas Vemmulund, who provided the side with strength and depth in their respective positions.

However, Kenny Shiels has done well to bring in the likes of Mikhail Kennedy and Nicky Low who have the potential to become really important players for the club this season. And after signing important additions like Mark Timlin and Alon Netzer, the Foylesiders should have the squad to deal with a range of competitions this year.

Europa League football is another big challenge for Shiels this season, and the congested fixture list may effect Derry’s league performance, but if the Candystripes can have a decent run in Europe this year and have domestic success in the FAI or EA Sports Cup then fans may come away happy this season.

Stability has been implemented at the club by Shiels in the last year after a couple of rocky seasons, but consistency is what is needed this season. Getting into a European position again this year is essential to the club, especially as they return to the revamped Brandywell stadium in 2018.

Playing away from the Brandywell could also take an edge off the club as they play against tough opposition this year. The Brandywell can intimidate a lot of clubs but with the Candystripes playing at Maginn Park teams may not feel as intimidated as they would have if at the Brandywell. If the club is to achieve the success the fans crave then they need the likes of Rory Patterson, Aaron McEneff, Lukas Schubert and Barry McNamee to be firing on all cylinders this year.

Title Odds: 14/1

First game: Bohemians (away), Friday, February 24^th (kick-off 7.45pm)