Build on positive aspects

the counter-attack and, bang, we’re 1-0 down.

“Instead of staying in the game at 1-0, we conceded another goal. At 2-0 it sucked the life out of the players for a few minutes.” He continued: “We huffed and puffed for the remainder of the second-half, we had a few chances and they had a few chances.

“It is a hard defeat [to take], especially as we went in level at half-time and I thought we were marginally the better side in that first-half.

“It is still a defeat from where we are looking at it but there are still positives – we passed the ball quite well at times.

“It is just unfortunate that we gave away such stupid goals – but, they [Shamrock Rovers], were bringing internationals off the bench.

“They’ve built up this team over the last three to five years.

“In fairness to Stephen Bradley, he is doing a good job with them. They have their own way of playing and it is quite effective.” Rovers, who have failed to win any of their last three games, are at home this Saturday when they welcome St Patrick’s Athletic. Rovers won 2-1 at Richmond Park when the sides met earlier this season.

“There are no easy games in the Premier Division and there isn’t a lot between many of the teams.

“I was gutted after the defeat to Shels, that was arguably the worst we’ve played all season, but I can’t fault the effort of the players against Shamrock Rovers.

The Rovers boss reiterated his point that the team that finishes ahead of Shams this season will be crowned champions.

He wants Rovers to be consistent and, where possible, score first in games.

“Scoring the first goal in these games is very important, you only have to look at how games go every week.

“Our general play in Tallaght was good and we have to play like that on a regular basis,” he added.

“If we get our pitch up to speed then that will give us an opportunity to do that.”

PREMIER DIVISION P W D Shamrock Rvrs 15 10 3 Derry City 15 9 5 St Patrick’s Ath 15 7 3 Dundalk 14 5 7 Sligo Rovers 15 5 5 Bohemians 14 4 7 Shelbourne 14 4 3 Drogheda Utd 14 3 4 Finn Harps 14 2 4 UCD 14 0 5

L 2 1 5 2 5 3 7 7 8 9

F 27 29 19 20 20 20 12 16 12 9

A 11 11 12 12 18 16 20 28 24 32

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