ROVER THE TOP
Bradley slates critics as Hoops stretch advantage
STEPHEN BRADLEY has opened fire on critics who questioned Shamrock Rovers stomach for a league title defence.
He says a lot of ‘nonsense’ was spoken about his team who have moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier Division.
The defending champions shipped four defeats in a row in late August and early September after crashing out of Europe to Estonian side Flora Tallinn.
They lost both legs of that Europa Conference League play-off and then went down to arch-rivals Bohemians in the FAI Cup and to Finn Harps in the league.
It was their first sign of a serious wobble this season but the Hoops have recovered well to beat Waterford, Sligo Rovers and St Pat’s in their last three games.
Boss Bradley said: “We’re delighted.
“We have had to listen to a lot of nonsense the last five or six weeks, questioning us and questioning the team’s character and I thought we have responded really well.
“That’s down to the group. We closed the door, stayed together and answered the critics on the pitch.”
Irked
Asked what criticism had irked him, Bradley said: “Ah, there’s too much of it to go into. I could write you an email, it’s too long.
“It’s nice. It gives you motivation. It’s interesting, some of it.
“A lot of nonsense and hot air. The players see it and recognise it and we can use that.
“We’re top of the league, we’re defending our title and I understand (attention comes when you lose four games) but a lot of it was nonsense.
“It fires you up, it makes you want to go again and they have done that, they have been excellent.
“But there are still a lot of games to go and a lot of points to play for.”
Bradley also hailed the role played by summer signing Barry Cotter in turning the team’s form around after those defeats.
A free agent after leaving Ipswich Town, the 22-year-old has caught the eye playing at centreback and, on Friday against St Pat’s, left-wing back.
Bradley said: “He’s been excellent. He has come in and had to learn how we play.
“Before we signed him, I watched a few of his games and it was left wing back he played.
“So I knew he could play there. I have obviously seen him rightback, right wing back and midfield. He will tell me his favourite position is No 10!
“His attitude has been brilliant.
He needs to stay there and if he stays focused, we’ve got a really good player on our hands.”
Cotter lost his way in England after leaving Ipswich but Bradley feels the former Limerick player can get back to his best.
“When we had the chat with Barry, we sat down for a few hours and it was about if he had the fire in the belly to go again.
“And he has. He is a good kid, a good family and he’s going to be a good player for us.
Persuading
“He was getting pushed to Holland, Belgium and elsewhere. It took a bit of persuading to get him here but thankfully he did.
“I would have watched him at Limerick when I was scouting for Arsenal, so I know his qualities.
“He just lost his way a little bit in England but that can happen quite easily.
“He’s a very, very good footballer. I thought he was tailor made for that level as his athletic ability is plain for everyone to see.
“He needs work in certain areas but his raw materials are very, very good.”