Re-start Club Preview: Sligo Rovers

Club: Sligo Rovers

Manager: Liam Buckley

Highest league goalscorer: Niall Morahan, Ronan Coughlan (1).

Current position: 10th.

How we thought they would do for the 2020 season

Having finished fourth from bottom, Sligo would've been hopeful that they could kick on and climb the table in 2020.

However, the Bit O'Red were dealt a blow in the close season as Daryl Fordyce, Kris Twardek and Dante Leverock departed the Showgrounds.

Those players were replaced though as midfield duo of Gary Buckley and Darragh Noone arrived alongside defender Teemu Peninkangas.

We knew it would be a tight season with no real weak links in the division, meaning that to stay away from the drop zone, Rovers would have to pick up points consistently.

How they did in the opening part of the season

Liam Buckley's side lost the opening four games of their campaign.

Their opening night trip to Finn Park saw them lose 1-0 to Ollie Horgan's side.

That defeat was followed by a 2-0 defeat at home to St Pat's.

Three days later a trip to Dublin brought no change in fortune as Bohemians ran out 2-0 winners over Sligo at Dalymount Park.

Their next game, a home tie with Shamrock Rovers brought Sligo their first goals of the season.

However, efforts from Ronan Coughlan and Niall Morahan wasn't enough to stop the Hoops from taking all three points.

Moment of the season so far

Their moment of the seaon so far has probably come off the pitch as the signing of exciting forward Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe has given the Bit O'Red something to shout about ahead of the restart.

Stand out player so far this season

20-year-old midfielder Niall Morahan impressed in Sligo's difficult start.

Morahan scored and grabbed an assist in the Bit O'Red's 3-2 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in March.

Transfers in/out prior to the restart

 Forward Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe has arrived from Israeli outfit  Hapoel Hadera.

What they need to do in the restart

Sligo will be hoping to hit the ground running after the restart.

They'll need to start scoring more goals and Liam Buckley will be hoping that Junior can help them do that once his period of mandatory quarantine in line with the country's response to Covid-19 is over.

Where we see them finishing

Sligo could be in trouble if they don't start picking up results immediately.

After a difficult trip to Derry next Friday night, they welcome Waterford to the Showgrounds the following Tuesday before entertaining Shelbourne four days later.

Maximum points from those home games against Shelbourne and Waterford could be key if the Bit O'Red are to survive in this short season.

Who will they face in the FAI Cup?

Bye.

First post-lockdown league fixture

Away vs. Derry City (July 31st, 5:45 PM).