Midseason Report Card - Shamrock Rovers

Club: Shamrock Rovers

Manager: Stephen Bradley

Stadium: Tallaght Stadium

Highest attendance this season: 5,220 (v Bohemians)

Highest league goalscorer: Three-way tie on five goals between Brandon Miele, Gary Shaw and Graham Burke. Miele has also scored twice in Rovers’ run to the EA Sports Cup semi-final.

Mid-season position: 5^th

How we thought they would do

In our pre-season predictions we had the Hoops down to finish third in the 2017 league campaign.

How they really have done

Eight wins and eight losses (along with two draws) shows the nature of the Shamrock Rovers season so far – hot and cold as they lie in fifth place. At times they have been excellent (such as in home games against Bohs, Dundalk and Bray) while at other times they have been abject (second half performances against Bray away and at home to both Finn Harps and Limerick). They are unbeaten in nine competitive games at home but discipline has cost them at times having received five red cards.

There is much positivity off the field at Rovers with the development of their academy plus new corporate facilities at the club, along with a new stand in Tallaght due for construction in the off-season. There is also enough potential from Stephen Bradley and his much-changed squad that Rovers supporters are being surprisingly patient.

Moment of the season so far

For the Hoops it is always hard to look beyond Dublin derby wins over Bohemians but despite their two victories over Bohs (2-1 away and 2-0 at home), the moment of the season must be Rovers’ 2-1 win over Dundalk in May.

Hoops fans are never shy in telling you about the history of the club and during the long turbulent wildnerness years after Milltown, supporters would sing long in the night even in defeat about how “We won four-in-a-row”. They feared Dundalk equalling that record this season.

The Lilywhites' recent results against Rovers had been excellent (undefeated in ten competitive games) but the Hoops put in their best performance of the season when the champions came to Tallaght in May. Inspired by Ronan Finn, against his old club, Rovers deservedly beat Dundalk in a feisty encounter which may go some way (along with Cork’s superb form!) to help stop the Lilywhites in their attempt to win four-in-a-row.

Star Player: Ronan Finn

Finn, who was part of Michael O’Neill’s Rovers side that won the league and qualified for the Europa League group stages in 2011, was central to Dundalk’s own recent league and European success. It was quite a coup for the Hoops to capture Finn from Stephen Kenny’s squad. Although carrying a stomach and groin injury for most of the season, Finn has been superb in the centre of Rovers’ midfield. Handed the captain’s armband his trademark high tempo play has been central to best from Stephen Bradley’s men this season.

Surprise star player: Gary Shaw

Amongst the revamped Rovers squad, it may have been felt that they needed a new player to lead the line but Gary Shaw has fulfilled that position excellently with the Hoops. Stephen Bradley used a 3-5-2 system for much of his time last season but, besides from the odd occasion, has gone with Gary Shaw leading the line in a 4-2-3-1 line up this year. Shaw, whose speed sometimes catches defenders by surprise, has not only scored goals but also has been very effective in holding up the ball to bring Rovers’ myriad attacking midfielders into the game. His link-up play with Graham Burke (when he has been on the field!) has been excellent.

Young player: Trevor Clarke

19-year-old Clarke was a regular last season at left back for Rovers, winning the club’s young player of the year award. He has shone this season, particularly since his move higher up the pitch following the return of long-term injured left-back Luke Byrne. Bradley has deployed Clarke on the right side in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Cutting in onto his left boot, he has got a couple of smashing goals recently (away against Bohemians and Cork City). These eye-catching performances may mean a move for the teenager to the UK as he has attracted some interest from overseas scouts.

Star signing: Graham Burke

Amongst the 12 new signings that joined Rovers for 2017 were four players from the UK and Burke has been the best of them. Dave McAllister has been excellent but Dan Devine has struggled at times and sadly Paul Corry has suffered a re-occurance of his troublesome knee injury. The two silly sendings-off aside, Graham Burke has been excellent throughout this season. A late signing just prior to the kick off of the league campaign from Notts County, Burke is joint top scorer for the Hoops and provides that something different in attack for Rovers.

What they need to do in the transfer market

Rovers have quite a strong squad and so their best move in the transfer market might be simply to keep Trevor Clarke at the club. The Hoops have a wealth of talent in midfield but if they were to add to any position it might be as cover up front with Graham Burke facing some time on the sidelines due to suspension.

Where we see them finishing

Third place is still very much a realistic target for Rovers. They are two points off Derry who are in that position at the moment (albeit the Hoops have played one additional game compared with the Candystripes). A finish in the European spots is a must for the Hoops and there will be pressure on them to progress through at least one round in Europe.