Away points key to survival

There is no doubt that a strong home record is vital for all the teams at the wrong end of the table, however on their own, home points alone wont keep any team safe from the drop to the First Division.

Looking at the table after ten games it's perhaps no surprise that the teams currently occupying the bottom three spots have the worst away records in the league. Each of them have so far had five away games.

Bottom side Galway have actually picked up more points on the road than they have at Terryland, but that isn't a huge surprise when you consider that their first home point of the season was only earned last Friday night when they drew two all with Finn Harps. With Tony Cousins in charge last season, Galway had to wait a long time for their first home win and come the end of the season had picked up more away points than they did at home.

Finn Harps got two quick home wins under their belt this season but since then have been on a dismal run. They picked up their only away point when they twice came from behind against Galway. Last season they had an away record to be proud of, winning an impressive thirty four points at the other nine First Division venues.

All of Cobh's six points to date were won at St Coleman's. They hadn't lost a home league game since March last season until Bohemians beat them by a goal to nil on Saturday night. With that home record now gone it's more important than ever that they get their away form into gear.

Cobh manager Stephen Henderson is well aware that their results away from St Coleman's need to improve. Speaking to extratime.ie he made it clear that he and his team are now focusing on their away form.

He said - "We really need to push on and get something away from home. The most important thing now is that we go up to Derry and get something- that''s a real monkey on our back, this away thing that's happening. Not picking up a point is pretty disgraceful at this level of football".

Both Galway and Cobh are away this Friday, against UCD and Derry respectively. Finn Harps look to get back to winning ways at Finn Park - they host Shamrock Rovers.