Bradley hopeful to add two more to his Hoops squad

Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley is happy with the Hoops’ squad for 2019 and the pre-season preparations that concluded on Friday evening with a 2-0 friendly win over Brentford B.

The Hoops Head Coach is still looking to conclude the capture of two more players – German goalkeeper Leon Pohls and Austrian striker Orhan Vojic. 

With Gavin Bazunu moving permanently to Manchester City and Kevin Horgan also departing the club, Pohls will likely step in as Alan Mannus’ understudy.

Goalkeeping moves afoot at Shamrock Rovers as Bazunu completes permanent transfer to Manchester City https://t.co/qu7OreEs1ypic.twitter.com/v9igEgZOUE

— Extratime.ie (@ExtratimeNews) February 9, 2019

Vojic will be vying for the centre-forward slot with Dan Carr, teenager Dean Dillon and Sean Boyd (who is currently carrying an injury).

“We didn’t think we needed a lot change (in the squad),” said Bradley when speaking to extratime.ie after his side’s victory over Brentford. 

“We need to improve, we know that. I don’t think we needed wholesale changes. Our aim at this point was to get here and sort of tweak things and still try to improve.”

In previous seasons under Bradley, the Hoops have moved in and out a lot of players but there has been less churn this season. 

Aaron McEneff and Jack Byrne, who was the standout player against Brentford, are excellent additions to the Rovers squad.

In relation to Pohls and Vojic, both of whom have played for Rovers during this pre-season, Bradley noted that he is “hopeful” of securing their signatures. “Nothing is done. We are talking to both.”

Unlike last year, Rovers stayed in Ireland for their pre-season training.

They will travel to Waterford next Friday night for their first competitive game of the season. 

“It has gone well. I think tonight is the only time we played the game fresh. All the other games have come on the back of really heavy double sessions. 

“It is hard to judge as legs are heavy and concentration levels are not there. Tonight is the first time we’ve played when yesterday wasn’t too tough. You could see that as in stages they were good.

“Tonight was important to get the minutes in, have no injuries and go fresh in to what will be a really tough game down in Waterford.”

Shamrock Rovers concluded their pre-season friendly programme with a solid 2-0 win over Brentford’s B team in Tallaght Stadium. Match report: https://t.co/W5rXAnZqbFpic.twitter.com/UYdTuwdl49

— Extratime.ie (@ExtratimeNews) February 9, 2019