Shiels is urging his Candystripes to prove they mean business
KENNY Shiels believes that the presence of the RTE cameras at the Brandywell tonight will give his players the chance to show what they can do in front of a national audience.
The Candystripes go into this evening’s game against St Patrick’s Athletic (7.30pm) hoping to make it three wins from three at the Brandywell after five-goal showings against both Limerick and Bray Wanderers.
Derry’s response from their humiliation at Shamrock Rovers earlier this month has been emphatic with two near-perfect displays after their return to their home ground, with Ronan Hale in particular putting in a star showing with five goals in the past three games.
Shiels is now hoping his team can impress with a packed Brandywell behind them once again.
“We have momentum and we don’t want to lose that,” he said.
“The boys are buzzing and playing well, and they are keen to do well. They are very young and they are up against a very experienced St Pat’s team. I want them to perform to their ultimate potential and I don’t see why they can’t.
“We want to set standards, and the standards are to do their best in each and every game and try and provide some entertainment.”
Derry have certainly provided that entertainment in recent times, with the return to the Brandywell helping overcome serious problems away from home which has resulted in defeats to Waterford, Sligo Rovers and Rovers.
Stephen Bradley’s team are in fact the only team to outscore Derry in the Premier Division, and victory over Pat’s tonight will help Shiels and his players return to fifth place ahead of tonight’s opponents.
“This will probably be the most entertaining game because of both teams’ style of play so I’m expecting a really, really good game,” Shiels added.