League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Sligo Rovers

Shelbourne manager Damien Duff issuing out instructions

Shelbourne manager Damien Duff issuing out instructions Credit: Brian F Smyth (ETPhotos)

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne will be seeking to consolidate if not extend their six-point lead at the top of the league table when they host struggling Sligo Rovers at Tolka Park on Friday night, KO 7.45pm

Shels are unbeaten in their last eight matches and they will be looking to continue that good form against a team which has only won two games away from home all season.

The Reds have now won three on the bounce, with that stirring two nil victory over fellow title contenders Shamrock Rovers last weekend the highpoint of those three games.

They needed two penalty goals to get the better of Rovers at Tallaght Stadium but that won’t worry Shels manager Damian Duff at all, they all count, and he will take goals from any source again this Friday night.

Duff was very complementary of his squad on their attitude for the recent Dublin derbies against St Patricks Athletic and Shamrock Rovers, and he wants the same mentality when they face Sligo Rovers on Friday night.

“We’ve hammered that home all week. Performances outside of Dublin Derbies needed to be better. It bodes well that our last game at home was against a non-Dublin team, Waterford FC at Tolka, and it was a dominant display.

"The team has constantly evolved and grown in my time here. Yes, I’ve criticised them about being highly motivated for Dublin derbies and not always the same for other games.

"The reality is it’s the same three points on offer, this (the game v Sligo Rovers) is just as big as any derby and you could argue it’s one of the biggest of the season.

"Tomorrow, regardless of where Sligo are in the league table, our lads have to be highly motivated. Based on training this week I’d be confident that is what we will see.”



SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers picked up a very valuable point away to Derry City last weekend but in general their form has been very poor over the last two months where they only collected seven points out of a possible 30 in their last 10 games.

They currently occupy eight position in the league table on 19 points, only four ahead of second from last Drogheda and too close for comfort to that relegation zone.

The point away from home in the Brandywell was well deserved however with Reece Hutchinson putting them ahead only for Micheal Duffy to equalise after half time. Niall Morahan availed of a rare Brian Maher mistake to give them a 2-1 lead but they conceded a penalty late on which Will Patching converted to leave it 2-2 at the final whistle.

The Bit O’ Red manager John Russell was effusive in his praise of his opponent in the home dugout in this Friday clash and had this to say about Damien Duff when he spoke to the Irish Independent this week: "He has raised the profile of the league.

"It's great to see ex-international players and a player that's played in the Premier League and won major trophies come into our league, as a manager.



"He has raised the profile, Stephen Kenny has raised the profile, the league is getting stronger and bigger. We need good coaches and managers and players working in our league to bring it to the next level and that's been pleasing for everyone across the board’’.

During this interview Russell also referred to the injuries that have forced him to call on young players, handing debuts this season to teenagers Conor Reynolds, Kyle McDonagh and Daire Patton.

Russell also updated on the situation with squad member Rein Smit whose contract has been terminated by mutual agreement to allow Smit return to the Netherlands for personal reasons.

Referee: Paul Norton

 

MATCH STATS

Will Jarvis’s two goals last weekend makes him the leading scorer so far this season for Shels. He has scored seven goals while Sean Boyd is only one behind on six.

Shelbourne did have the best defensive record in the league up to recent weeks, but they have now been knocked off the top spot on the particular table by Galway Utd.

Shelbourne have conceded twelve goals so far but Galway Utd have only conceded nine, albeit that the Tribesmen have also played two games less than the Reds.

Sligo Rovers are averaging less than one goal a game so far this season, finding the net 16 times in the 17 games played to date.

Their joint leading scorers are Ellis Chapman and Max Mata, both on four apiece.

Mata however is no longer at the Showgrounds, his loan spell from Shrewsbury Town coming to an end in mid-May

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 2   0 Sligo Rovers

 

Shelbourne

Injured:  None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

 

Sligo Rovers    

Injured: John Mahon, Nando Pjinaker, Simon Power.

Doubtful: Will Fitzgerald, Ollie Denham, Wilson Waweru.

Suspended: Charlie Wiggett

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