Mixed feelings
Alan Finn reflects on the tense Clash of the Rovers that ended level, a contest that yielded both positives and negatives for Rovers ahead of hosting Finn Harps
IWASN’T sure it was possible for a result to be equally positive and frustrating – but last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers sums up how those contrasting emotions can live side by side.
On one hand it was two points that got away for Sligo Rovers, on the other hand it was a sign of progress of how much the gap at the top may have narrowed this year.
A 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers would have been a real highlight of 2020, this year it was an opportunity to prove that the Bit O’Red are no underdogs, that they fully believe they will shake up those top spots in the table this year. Last weekend’s stalemate won’t go down as a season-defining result by any means, but Rovers will still have taken more positives out of this game than their opponents, who will no doubt feel a little underwhelmed by their start to the season.
Rovers’ trend of being defensively sound came to the fore once again, while this game also provided the midfield with their first opportunity to really shine as Greg Bolger and Niall Morahan teamed up to reduce Danny Mandriou to playing a bit part at best. Last week I suggested this was a game where Walter Figueira could shine as a creative spark.
Irrespective of the goal, he proved to be Rovers’ most creative outlet all night in the final third.
Much has been made of Romeo Parkes and Ryan De Vries who have looked a yard off the pace since their return to action.
While they have certainly not reached peak form, it would be unfair not to acknowledge that these players had the longest off-seasons within the squad which, in turn, meant they had the shortest pre-season preparation. We know what Parkes and De Vries offer at their best – it shouldn’t be surprising the final third is where sharpness is most lacking, but it will come with time.
The house should have been rocking last weekend – in fact, it could have been a factor in Rovers seeing the game out for a 1-0 win, but alas the roar of The Showgrounds remains absent.
By Saturday evening Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps could still be a second versus third clash. You can’t help but imagine we could have seen another full house for what is possibly the biggest north-west derby in modern memory.
I have found it curious that some fans feel that a game against Ollie Horgan’s Harps right now will be a dogged, not-so-easy on the eye affair compared to last weekend.
I would have to disagree. This may have been true in past seasons, but I have seen enough of Harps in these early stages to know the mentality is different.
There’s no soaking up pressure. There’s no milling players with cynical tackles. There’s very little route one desperation.
Harps have taken the game to every team they’ve played so far and reaped the deserved rewards. It would be doing Harps a disservice to expect normal service this Saturday – they might just prove to be the best attacking outfit to come to The Showgrounds so far.