Higgins Plans Further New Faces For Derry In Title Charge

Most sides in the 2024 Irish Premier Division campaign have now played at least 21 matches as the individual clubs' progress through their seasons, and as you would expect at this point of the year, we are now seeing the formation of the clear title chasers, and the drop off to those who will be fighting it out at the very bottom of the table.

Derry City have stepped up in the recent form guide, and have now taken a ten point advantage over third place Shamrock Rovers to make second place in the table their own, and despite the early season lead that Shelbourne had created, although they continue to have a single game in hand over Derry boss Ruaidhri Higgins' side, the point difference now only stands at two. For any punter who fancies a new set of title odds, Bet Zillion would certainly be worth a look at the halfway point of the season.

With the mid season break now in full force, Higgins recently explained that he was determined to use the rest period to sign a couple of players who would really fit into the 'ethos' of the team that has already been assembled, as naturally he is looking at fresh faces and different options to really bolster their own bid for the league title this year.

An extra couple of differing options in the first team squad would not go amiss either as the month of July is set to be a very busy one (both on and off the pitch) as the FAI Cup campaign begins, as does relevant Europa Conference League action.

Injuries at Derry will continue to bite for a period of time yet, with both key men Patrick McEleney and Jordan McEneff, still out for a bit yet. When the action and fixtures return, Derry also have to deal with the departure of defender Cameron McJannet to Grimsby Town last week.

However, a new capture has already been made in the shape of midfielder Jacob Davenport as he has now agreed terms at the club, but Higgins knows he is simply the start of helping to beef up the options in his squad, and ideally he will get at least another couple of faces through the door.

He did state that he feels that they are already in a 'really good place' right now for the aspirations they hold this year, but he feels they will be in a 'better place' in another week or two, even though he acknowledges that it is not really an 'easy window' to be operating in this summer, but this is where he feels the existing dressing room and adding to that 'ethos' will bring its own rewards in the coming months.

The last thing he wants to do for every available and obvious reason, is to disrupt anything in the camp, so that means real homework and only taking a punt when they know it is the right thing to do. That also means preferably only bringing in permanent signings, as there is quite clearly a far better buy in from players who know where their futures lie if they perform and properly impress.

That is not to diminish loanees and the impact they can have, but it can be riskier business.

But with him confirming that we continue to look at all areas of the pitch when it comes to strengthening the group, it will be interesting as an outsider and neutral to see just which position, and who, he priorities given the available finances, but it seems clear he would prefer to add at least one more player to the defensive, midfield and forwards groups.

For Derry fans, they will wonder why he added that he was actually more confident of getting those targets that he wanted this week, compared to seven days ago.

Everyone else will have to see what the future brings.