The Strugglers - Drogheda United
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
With five teams still facing the possibility of life in the First Division next season, we today begin a series looking at all the clubs involved. PJ Murray analyses Drogheda United's season and gives his verdict on where they will finish:
Drogheda United
Manager: Alan Mathews
Current position: (Start of season prediction) 9th (10th)
Home-ground: United Park
Top Scorer: James Chambers (6), Jamie Duffy (4) Conor Kenna (4)
Star Man: James Chambers -Called upon at the start of the season to play out of position at right back, Chambers has been an integral part of the Drogheda side. Now playing in his more preferred position in central midfield, Chambers has proved to be a work horse with vision to release the Drogheda attack with a deft pass. Without Chambers, Drogheda’s attacking options are limited and his absence, though rare, is always telling. He is also the club's top scorer with six strikes.
Story So Far: After barely surviving administration Drogheda quickly put together a squad to begin the inevitable battle for survival in the Premier Division. Signing the former UCD defensive partnership of Alan McNally and Conor Kenna was a masterstroke by Mathews as they have been the foundation for the Boynesiders.
Their season began with a narrow loss away to Derry followed by their first point at home to a ten-man Bray side. It took the Louth side five games before they scored their first goals of the Premier Division where they twice let a lead slip against Shamrock Rovers in a highly entertaining match at United Park.
There have been several high and low points for Alan Mathews' team, losing 1-0 to Bohemians at Dalymount after conceding a 95th minute goal would surely rank among the lowest. A feature of their season has been the concession of late goals due to lack of concentration. A 1-0 win at home to St. Patrick's Athletic in June sparked scenes of celebration among the United faithful as Drogheda finally moved off the bottom of the table to overtake Bray and begin some forward momentum for the club.
Despite a serious lack of money Drogheda managed to sign several players mid season. The acquisition of Brendan McGill and Ross Gaynor proved to be the most profitable for Mathews men. The loss of Shane Barrett was a big blow as the striker had looked to be getting over his injury and was forging a decent strike partnership with Jamie Duffy.
Drogheda’s downfall has been the lack of goalscoring ability within the squad. They have the second lowest total in the league with only 26 goals.
The club recently suffered their biggest defeat, a 4-0 drubbing by Bohemians at Dalymount consigning the Boynesiders to an even more difficult run in as they face a crucial few weeks with Bray hot on their heels.
They face a tough run in, but their destiny is still in their own hands as they face three of the bottom half clubs and their final two games - St. Pat's at home before travelling to Sligo on the final day of the season - will prove to make for an interesting end of season.
After Drogheda’s recent loss Mathews stated that he will not panic over his side's current position and this level headed thinking is what is required to steer Drogheda away from Bray and possibly into a position to avoid a relegation playoff.
Remaining Fixtures:: Shamrock Rovers (A), Galway United (H), Cork City (A), St. Patrick's Athletic (H), Sligo Rovers (A)
extratime.ie verdict: Playoff Spot. The Boynesiders will squeak into a play-off spot in 9th place and from then on it’s really too hard to call. Mathews has guided a team already through five Cup finals at Longford Town so has valuable experience of one-off fixtures.
Drogheda United
Manager: Alan Mathews
Current position: (Start of season prediction) 9th (10th)
Home-ground: United Park
Top Scorer: James Chambers (6), Jamie Duffy (4) Conor Kenna (4)
Star Man: James Chambers -Called upon at the start of the season to play out of position at right back, Chambers has been an integral part of the Drogheda side. Now playing in his more preferred position in central midfield, Chambers has proved to be a work horse with vision to release the Drogheda attack with a deft pass. Without Chambers, Drogheda’s attacking options are limited and his absence, though rare, is always telling. He is also the club's top scorer with six strikes.
Story So Far: After barely surviving administration Drogheda quickly put together a squad to begin the inevitable battle for survival in the Premier Division. Signing the former UCD defensive partnership of Alan McNally and Conor Kenna was a masterstroke by Mathews as they have been the foundation for the Boynesiders.
Their season began with a narrow loss away to Derry followed by their first point at home to a ten-man Bray side. It took the Louth side five games before they scored their first goals of the Premier Division where they twice let a lead slip against Shamrock Rovers in a highly entertaining match at United Park.
There have been several high and low points for Alan Mathews' team, losing 1-0 to Bohemians at Dalymount after conceding a 95th minute goal would surely rank among the lowest. A feature of their season has been the concession of late goals due to lack of concentration. A 1-0 win at home to St. Patrick's Athletic in June sparked scenes of celebration among the United faithful as Drogheda finally moved off the bottom of the table to overtake Bray and begin some forward momentum for the club.
Despite a serious lack of money Drogheda managed to sign several players mid season. The acquisition of Brendan McGill and Ross Gaynor proved to be the most profitable for Mathews men. The loss of Shane Barrett was a big blow as the striker had looked to be getting over his injury and was forging a decent strike partnership with Jamie Duffy.
Drogheda’s downfall has been the lack of goalscoring ability within the squad. They have the second lowest total in the league with only 26 goals.
The club recently suffered their biggest defeat, a 4-0 drubbing by Bohemians at Dalymount consigning the Boynesiders to an even more difficult run in as they face a crucial few weeks with Bray hot on their heels.
They face a tough run in, but their destiny is still in their own hands as they face three of the bottom half clubs and their final two games - St. Pat's at home before travelling to Sligo on the final day of the season - will prove to make for an interesting end of season.
After Drogheda’s recent loss Mathews stated that he will not panic over his side's current position and this level headed thinking is what is required to steer Drogheda away from Bray and possibly into a position to avoid a relegation playoff.
Remaining Fixtures:: Shamrock Rovers (A), Galway United (H), Cork City (A), St. Patrick's Athletic (H), Sligo Rovers (A)
extratime.ie verdict: Playoff Spot. The Boynesiders will squeak into a play-off spot in 9th place and from then on it’s really too hard to call. Mathews has guided a team already through five Cup finals at Longford Town so has valuable experience of one-off fixtures.
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night. View Full Profile