Countdown over for season gets underw
Rovers boss hopeful of final signings bef
SLIGO Rovers manager Dave Robertson says he is aiming to improve on last season’s points total and he is hopeful of a good cup run as the 2017 SSE Airtricity League season kicks off this weekend.
Rovers face an away trip to Limerick on Friday evening and Robertson feels his squad is adequately prepared ahead of the meeting with Martin Russell’s side.
“We got everything we wanted out of pre- season. Fitness, games, additional strength work that we needed, tactical understanding, ups and downs which we’re going to face throughout the season, how the players cope with that and manage those things.
“There’s been lots and lots of positives to take from the pre- season programme. It’s the same as anything, anyone with any experience will tell you as of Tuesday morning pre- season doesn’t count for anything. It’s how we start the season and we take that into the games.
“We’re excited, it’s going to be a good game next Friday against Limerick and then a tough opening run in. We’re chomping at the bit and raring to go,” he said following Sunday evening’s 2- 2 draw with Athlone Town.
Robertson says the club’s aims for the year are clear, and indeed he identified this season’s aims at the conclusion of the 2016 season. That has not changed.
“Obviously first and foremost we want to improve on our points total from last year. We’d like a successful run in one of the cups. It’s something that is part of the tradition here and it’s something that we would like to add to and improve on from last year.
“They’re our main aims and main goals. The sooner we can get to them we will be sitting down and re- evaluating. You have to have flexibility but we want to have a clear focus on where we want to be.”
The Rovers boss is now in his second year of management with the Bit o’Red and he accepts that the expectations of fans will be higher this season, but he echoes those expectations.
“The building blocks we’re putting into place now are completely different to what they were last year. The additional bit is last year, everyone would agree there was almost a black hole or a void at the club after the season they had before I took over.
“There will be a raised expectancy this year in terms of the standards. We set ourselves high standards last year and we want to maintain them and improve on them. That’s the sense we have in the dressing room and the determination and commitment to go and do that. We’re going to be in charge of our own destiny and that’s myself and the whole squad over the next 33 games.”
Rovers went ahead twice against Athlone Town on Sunday courtesy of goals from Jonah Ayunga and Chris Kenny. Robertson praised the performances of youngsters Jack Keaney and John Mahon. He also confirmed that he has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of the meeting with Limerick.
“I’m glad pre- season is over if I’m honest. It was our final pre- season game and we got the minutes into everybody that we felt needed minutes. Some really good performances, I’m really pleased with the young lad Jack Keaney, I thought he was exceptional in midfield. It was good to see John Mahon playing. We got some playing time into Ed McGinty the young goalkeeper, and then obviously we played a really attacking front four, it may have changed a little bit th overall the important thing out of this minutes into everyone and make s The good thing is we’ll go into the season with everybody available an I’m glad it’s over and I’m ready fo start now on Monday.
“There’s every chance that they w the season) if they continue to sh the progression and the quality th