Rogers flying high after good start
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St Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper Gary Rogers is currently enjoying life at the top of the table after enduring a relegation battle last season.
Having played 10 league games so far this season, he has conceded just two goals, to leave St Pat’s unexpectedly three points clear at the top of the table. Rogers has described being at the top as big bonus.
"It's always nice to be at the top of the table but it’s harder to stay up there," Rogers told Extratime.
"It was a very difficult season for us last year, we were struggling for form all season, and we had a lot of trouble with injuries.
"This year we’ve been lucky enough that we’ve had nearly a full squad to pick from in every game. It’s a big change from last year, definitely a welcome relief not to be back down the bottom of the table.
"Looking at the start of the season is always a bit of the unknown, how teams will gel, we seem to have gelled together pretty good.
"We’re difficult to beat and nicking a few goals, so we probably have surpassed our expectations at the start of the season, the problem is staying up there, we just have to keep going, everyone seems to be enjoying it so the more you enjoy it, the better you’ll do."
Rogers does know, however, that staying at the top of the table is not going to be easy with such a small advantage at an early stage in the season.
"There are a lot of teams evenly balanced; four or five teams that you could say will be up at the top of the table. We’re three points ahead but its only one match so it’s hard to know," he said.
"Hopefully we’ll be able to maintain it but there is a lot of good teams around and it’s still early days. We’ll be trying our best to stay there, but you just don’t know how it’s going to pan out."
He is delighted with the squad that Pete Mahon has assembled and feels that competition for places is good to keep players working hard.
"I think everyone is on their toes, there are players in every position. We don’t have a big squad but what we have is quality in the squad in every position, including my own, and there’s quality there to replace you if you’re not doing your job."
Rogers is looking forward to a Setanta Sports Cup final when St Pats will face Bohemians in Tallaght Stadium on May 15th.
"A cup final is a cup final and you mightn’t ever get to play in one so it will definitely be a big bonus if we can win it," he stated.
"It’s a one-off game against Bohs. We are going to be underdogs going in because Bohs are champions and double winners. We’ll be looking forward to it and hopefully we’ll be able to get the right result."
Rogers next outing will be against Shamrock Rovers in Richmond Park on Friday evening and he will hope for a repeat score line this time. Despite his side sitting at the top of the table, Rogers knows that no game will be easy.
"Every game is a big game, especially against [Shamrock] Rovers, it should be a full house," said Rogers.
"The fact that we beat them 2-0 in Tallaght, they will definitely remember that. It’s going to be a tough game, I’m just hoping we’ll get the right result, we’re at home so we’ll be looking for the win."
Having played 10 league games so far this season, he has conceded just two goals, to leave St Pat’s unexpectedly three points clear at the top of the table. Rogers has described being at the top as big bonus.
"It's always nice to be at the top of the table but it’s harder to stay up there," Rogers told Extratime.
"It was a very difficult season for us last year, we were struggling for form all season, and we had a lot of trouble with injuries.
"This year we’ve been lucky enough that we’ve had nearly a full squad to pick from in every game. It’s a big change from last year, definitely a welcome relief not to be back down the bottom of the table.
"Looking at the start of the season is always a bit of the unknown, how teams will gel, we seem to have gelled together pretty good.
"We’re difficult to beat and nicking a few goals, so we probably have surpassed our expectations at the start of the season, the problem is staying up there, we just have to keep going, everyone seems to be enjoying it so the more you enjoy it, the better you’ll do."
Rogers does know, however, that staying at the top of the table is not going to be easy with such a small advantage at an early stage in the season.
"There are a lot of teams evenly balanced; four or five teams that you could say will be up at the top of the table. We’re three points ahead but its only one match so it’s hard to know," he said.
"Hopefully we’ll be able to maintain it but there is a lot of good teams around and it’s still early days. We’ll be trying our best to stay there, but you just don’t know how it’s going to pan out."
He is delighted with the squad that Pete Mahon has assembled and feels that competition for places is good to keep players working hard.
"I think everyone is on their toes, there are players in every position. We don’t have a big squad but what we have is quality in the squad in every position, including my own, and there’s quality there to replace you if you’re not doing your job."
Rogers is looking forward to a Setanta Sports Cup final when St Pats will face Bohemians in Tallaght Stadium on May 15th.
"A cup final is a cup final and you mightn’t ever get to play in one so it will definitely be a big bonus if we can win it," he stated.
"It’s a one-off game against Bohs. We are going to be underdogs going in because Bohs are champions and double winners. We’ll be looking forward to it and hopefully we’ll be able to get the right result."
Rogers next outing will be against Shamrock Rovers in Richmond Park on Friday evening and he will hope for a repeat score line this time. Despite his side sitting at the top of the table, Rogers knows that no game will be easy.
"Every game is a big game, especially against [Shamrock] Rovers, it should be a full house," said Rogers.
"The fact that we beat them 2-0 in Tallaght, they will definitely remember that. It’s going to be a tough game, I’m just hoping we’ll get the right result, we’re at home so we’ll be looking for the win."
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan. View Full Profile