Corners are part of turning Alan Finn

Says that Rovers have to get a greater return from their setpieces, especially corners

IT’S time we talked about corners. We could talk about set-pieces in general, but the taking of corners has been the elephant in the room with the way the Sligo Rovers senior men’s team have played this season.

It is only becoming a more pronounced problem as goals have become scarcer (from open play) in recent weeks. Friday night’s game versus Dundalk and Monday’s match with Galway United yielded one goal – a remarkable Fabrice Hartmann strike from open play against the Lilywhites.

Rovers created a handful of decent chances from across the two games, largely from open play, but their ability from corners has become painfully frustrating to watch.

This isn’t just a criticism now that they happen to be in a bad run of form – this is a problem that has plagued them since the first week of the season. If you have a long enough memory, it is a problem that has plagued them for far longer.

Fabrice Hartmann’s goal against

Bohemians on the opening night is the only time a corner has led to a goal for Rovers so far this season. Last season you could count on one hand how many times they scored as a result of a corner.

There is a worry that other teams won’t fear conceding corners because they feel all they have to do is shut Rovers out in open play.

It was clear after Simon Power’s enforced withdrawal against Galway that a goal from open play was becoming increasingly unlikely. Kailin Barlow, who arguably has the best delivery from set-pieces in the team, seemed a logical player to bring on, but alas, remained on the bench.

Coincidentally Rovers best setpiece specialist of the last few years, Regan Donelon, was an unused sub for Galway United on Monday night.

Rovers don’t lack tall, physical players. Max Mata, Ollie Denham, Charlie Wiggett, Connor Malley and Ellis Chapman all represent big targets in the box.

It is one thing that the ball rarely