Rovers once again an unknown entity

14 days on from the nail biter at United Park at the back end of last season, Sligo Rovers will this Saturday, venture into another League of Ireland season with cautious optimism. There’s not much you can really take out of pre-season that will pre-determine how the year will go. It’s been a steady pre-season for the Bit O’Red without any real surprises. The four goals conceded against Leonidas came after just one training session while the six shipped in Belfast against Linfield, although not ideal for all involved, was maybe the proverbial jolt the squad needed.

Those games provide Ger Lyttle and his team with the opportunity to experiment with different systems and try different players out in different positions. Hammering all in front of you and bagging buckets of goals means little when it comes to the real stuff. Remember Owen Heary’s reign? Overall, I think Ger’s work in the transfer market has looked good even if there still remains a need to bring in one or two more.

At the time of writing it looks like Mitchell Beeney will come in on loan to provide competition and maybe even replace Micheál Schlingermann. I’m only going on one half of football, he added some professionalism to what was a make-shift back four. He did concede twice, but It was more down to defensive mistakes than anything of the goalkeeper’s fault. In front of him was Celestine Lazarus, who under pressure to perform in the short space of just 90 minutes, suggested there are better options out there. Schlingermann had several uneasy patches during last season and fell out of favour with a few Rovers supporters. His distribution can let him down but on his day, the Mayo man is still an excellent shot-stopper and nine times out of ten, he’s adept under the ball. But Beeney’s inclusion would add some experience and could only improve Micheál’s game.

Any team with a solid goalkeeper and defence should do well in this league. Maintaining the partnership between Seamus Sharkey and Kyle Callan-McFadden was vital and is a massive plus for Rovers going into the season. Sharkey’s inclusion shortly after Ger’s arrival was a key factor in Rovers’ survival last term and to keep those two together is key. Regan Donelon’s game improved playing beside them while it looks like Gary Boylan will be first choice right back.

2018 will be a huge year for Boylan and one he really needs to prove himself. A nomad in a positional sense since his arrival on the first team scene four years ago, all clues are pointing to him looking the most likely to be first choice right full back this season. Should he play this weekend, it will be Gary’s 89th competitive appearance in red at the age of just 21. Shuffled about from full back to midfield, he never really got a proper run at any stage of his career and was often harshly over-looked by previous managers. Technically, he has the attributes and physique to be a commanding full back. It’s become common place these days but you don’t attract interest from Cork City or indeed Shamrock Rovers if you’ve nothing about you.

Right now, Ger has at his disposal just four senior defenders with U19s graduate John Mahon the only one providing cover. Mahon has serious potential but you still need one if not two more experienced defenders for cover. The biggest face-lift the club has had over the winter break is in attack with no less than eight new additions in both midfield and up front. Adam Wixted, Caolan McAleer and Alistair Roy, who had a hugely impressive debut on Saturday, must add the pace and danger that was absent from out wide last season.

While I don’t want to add any unnecessary pressure or expectation on him, but there’s something reminiscent of Joseph Ndo about Eduardo Pincelli. His calmness on the ball is complimented by both his apparent ability to dictate the pace of play and his eye for a pass.

Each of the above will play pivotal roles in Adam Morgan’s season. Arguably one of the biggest signings the club has made in its recent history, Morgan has not the potential but the clear ability to make a killing in this league. But the way he plays will rely on the type of service he gets. Put it in front of him and it will end up in the net. It’s down to what’s around Adam to provide for him.

Morgan and his new team’s first test of the new year comes this Saturday amidst some expectation from the Sligo public. Limerick have endured a turbulent new year with the loss of a manager who didn’t seem to have the trust or backing of the team or supporters. Tommy Barrett is relatively inexperienced when it comes to management but he knows the league and has added quite a bit of domestic experience to his squad.

I would expect Limerick to be in or around the wrong side of the table this season so to get off to a good start this weekend is expected.

Looking at the squad today, it doesn’t look likely we’ll be giving either Dundalk or Cork a run at the top. But a European chase doesn’t look out of the question given the correct last minute additions over