Sligo Rovers -v- Bohemians

• Alan Finn
• Thu, Mar 15 2012




 

SLIGO ROVERS
A mixed start to life in Irish football might be the best way to sum up Ian Baraclough's first few weeks as manager of Sligo Rovers. 

 

So far he is unbeaten in all competitions, but has seen two of his players receive straight red cards in their first two games of the season. It is bad enough that they are already without Alan Keane for three matches, but speaking to Ocean FM Baraclough has admitted he is baffled by the decision to extend Mark Quigley's ban by a further five games: "It is mystifying for me at the moment, Mark Quigley has got six games," said Baraclough."I'll have to look up the rules and regulations on that one, I think Eric Cantona got that for a kung-fu tackle."


"We have a small squad but they all want to work for each other. We want to try and turn negatives into positives and that is what the players have done.
 

"To a man they put in a monumental performance against UCD. They showed unbelievable character. They were disappointed to lose a goal, especially from a set piece, but to pick themselves up from that, drag themselves back up the pitch and create another chance was superb".
 

On a more positive note, The Bit O'Red were delighted to welcome Iarfhliath Davoren and Rafael Cretaro back from injury last weekend, and Pascal Millien is also set to receive his work permit in a few days and may be available for selection next week.

 

BOHEMIANS
Aaron Callaghan will be looking to pick up his first points of the season in The Showgrounds, but he will have to address his sides shooting problems up front.

 

Callaghan will have a number of injury worries, with up to five players potentially missing out with injuries. Adam Martin is also serving a suspension picked up on the opening night of the season against Derry City.

 

Despite their encouraging style of football, the end product just hasn't been there for the Gypsies so far this season. Callaghan is committed to keeping the style of play he is working on with his squad, but speaking to bohemians.ie admitted it has caused problems at times: 

 

“I’m encouraging the lads to get on the ball and pass our way out of trouble and when you do that sometimes you get caught and sometimes mistakes happen.

 

“We also know we need to improve in the last third. We’ve been hitting the net well in practice. We need to get our front players and our attacking midfielders into the box more and be more of a threat.”

 

Referee: Graham Kelly.

 

MATCH STATS
Bohemians won both games at The Showgrounds last season, winning 2-1 on both occasions. Sligo Rovers also took the lead in the two games.

 

Jason McGuinness has won the FAI Cup with both sides. With Bohemians 2008 and with Sligo Rovers last season.


Four of the current Sligo Rovers squad have played for both sides - Jason McGuinness, Mark Quigley, Joseph Ndo and Rafael Cretaro.
 

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 4/11; Draw 7/2; Bohemians 7/1.

 

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 1-0 Bohemians.

 

Sligo Rovers Injury News: None.

Sligo Rovers Suspension News: Alan Keane, Mark Quigley.

 

Bohemians Injury News: Derek Pender, Peter McMahon (both flu), Stephen Traynor (nose), Keith Ward (calf), Dave Scully (Achilles).
Limerick FC Suspension News: Adam Martin.