No issue with Rovers’ character, says Bradley

SHAMROCK ROVERS manager Stephen Bradley says there is no issue with his side’s character, but the Hoops boss admits that they have struggled to cope with the challenge presented in the Dublin derbies with Bohemians.

Rovers were extremely poor in Friday’s 1-0 loss to their arch rivals in Tallaght – a result that means they have taken just a point from a possible 12 in this year’s meetings with the part-time Phibsborough side.

Unhappy fans called for Bradley’s head in the aftermath and the Rovers supremo said he understood the frustration.

However, he claimed there was no problem with his side’s resolution in matches of substance – the Bohs reverse followed on from a shock FAI Cup exit at the hands of Drogheda.

“There’s a lot of big games that have been good,” said Bradley, referencing a Europa League near miss in Sweden and a win in Waterford. “There was no problem then. That’s not an issue.

“Of course we’ve lost a big game and I totally understand it (anger). We’ll be fine, we’ll turn it around.”

Bradley did not appreciate the suggestion that a scoreless draw on Friday would have been viewed as a bad result as well.

He trained in on the concession of a second-half goal to Bohs sub Eoghan Stokes when analysing what went wrong.

“None of the derby games have been good games, we know that, so obviously ‘yeah’ is the answer,” he said, when asked if there was a reason why they toiled against Bohs.

“Nobody was creating chances. The game was finishing 0-0. We lost concentration.”

“Why wouldn’t it (0-0) have been a good result? That’s sometimes the way it goes.

“You don’t have any given right to go and beat someone. That’s the arrogance that gets you into trouble. You have no divine right to beat anyone.

“When you’re not playing well... and you’re on the pitch... you take what’s on offer and what’s on offer is a draw.”

Rovers are fourth in the table, four points behind Waterford, and need to finish third to be absolutely sure of a European place.