Baraclough praises professional performance

Champions Sligo Rovers capped off a profitable weekend in the capital with their second 3-0 win in four days on Monday night. This time out it was Martin Russell’s U.C.D. who were put to the sword in Belfield and after the game Extratime.ie caught up with Bit O’Red boss Ian Baraclough to get his views on the game.

“Ya, it was a professional performance. We’d spoken about coming here, knowing what happened to us last year, and we guarded against that.

“I think we went about it in the right way with a full professional manner and we got the goals that were required.”

After six games Sligo Rovers have a 100% record and sit five points clear at the top of the table. Their goalscoring exploits have received many plaudits but equally impressive has been their defence with Monday night’s shut out being their fourth clean sheet in six – something that pleased the former Notts County player.

“I don’t think Gary has had a save to make so credit to the back four and the lads in front of them as well. It was a real team effort.

“We do talk about defending as a group, as well as attacking as a team and testament to them that Gary didn’t have a great deal apart from a few crosses to come for.”

Man of the match Aaron Greene grabbed two goals and his saved shot led to the Rovers’ third. Baraclough wasn’t surprised at his striker’s performance as he saw the former Shamrock Rovers player bring his weekend tally to three.

“He’s played out wide a majority of this season but pre-season I played him inside quite a bit so I knew that he could go and add to that.

“More legs to get forward as well. He did seem to revel in it. Two good goals – two good finishes.”

Indeed his goals were needed as U.C.D. became the first team to stop Anthony Elding scoring in the league this season, something that brought a wry smile from a jovial Baraclough.

“He’s going through a barren spell now, so a little bit worried about that.

“Listen, the goals are being shared about, and that’s what it’s about. Anthony knows that the pressure’s not on him to go and score goals and for sure we have players all over the park that can chip in and we’re showing that.”

There was more good news for Sligo Rovers fans as Danny North took part in the pre match routine with Sligo’s strength and conditioning coach. North has a small cyst on his knee but the draining or removal of this cyst is not believed to be a major procedure after which he can step up his training.

The nature of Monday night’s tie meant that Baraclough was afforded the opportunity to unload his bench and give valuable minutes to some of his squad as he confirmed that none of the substituted were due to any knocks.

“I was really pleased that Kieran Djilali got his first league start and seventy minutes. Danny Ventre has managed to come on for twenty minutes which is great, and then Iarlaith Davoren as well. So we managed to give one or two people a bit of a run out and that’s all it was, so there’s no injuries to worry about there.”

Next up for Sligo Rovers is a home tie with Alan Mathews’ Shelbourne side this Saturday in the Showgrounds. As always Extratime.ie will be there to bring you all the action and reaction to the game as Sligo seek to make it seven in seven while the Reds from Tolka will be hoping to bring to an end their recent slump.