Russell rues that calls are not going his team’s way
THE Sligo Rovers senior men’s team, who had been doing well not too long ago, are currently in the middle of a sticky patch.
Monday’s scoreless home draw with Galway United was the fourth consecutive game that the Bit O’Red failed to win.
Coming just days after a share of the spoils at The Showgrounds against bottom of the table
Dundalk, with two recent 3-0 losses in Dublin still prompting nightmares for some fans, this is a bleak period to say the least.
Rovers had possession and opportunities against their Connacht rivals earlier this week but nothing to show for it in terms of goals.
“I felt in the first-half that we were very good,” said Rovers boss John Russell after this SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture.
“We were moving the ball really well from one side of the pitch to the other. We were penetrating centrally and creating good opportunities – Simon [Power] hit the post and Ellis [Chapman] sent one over the bar. Max [Mata] had a good header at the back post from a good set play.
“I was disappointed to be going in level at half-time but, ultimately, if you don’t score goals then you aren’t going to win games.”
He continued: “On a positive note we kept a clean sheet and we dealt with all the aerial balls from Galway.
“Still, that’s the disappointing thing. We were playing at home and wanted to get the three points.”
Russell maintained that Rovers should have been awarded a spotkick early doors after what he viewed was a foul on Ellis Chapman in the Galway box.
“The first goal is huge in this league and we also should have had a penalty against Dundalk when it was 1-1 and Wilson [Waweru] was fouled in the box.
“These are big moments, big decisions. Yes, we’ve missed chances, but if it is a penalty then you have to give it. We would still have had to score the penalty but for me it was a huge moment in the game that has gone against us.”
The challenges are coming thick and fast for Rovers – they have to get themselves right for a trip tomorrow, Friday, to Louth to face Drogheda.
“Everyone knows that we’ve a small squad so we just have to regroup and get ready for another battle. There is nothing between the teams in this league – look at the results, there are so many draws.
“It is so important to get a win and then back-to-back wins because it can push you up the table. We are in that congested spot at the moment [in the table]. “The players have been doing good things, it is just about that final bit – putting the ball in the net.” He added: “Every game we have, whether it is against
Shamrock Rovers, Derry or
Drogheda – it doesn’t matter, there are no easy games.
“We are always trying to win our matches. Drogheda is a tough venue, it’s a tight pitch and they’ve a good record there. But we will have a game plan and we’ll try to get the win.” Fabrice Hartmann and Simon Power are doubts for the Drogheda game as both came off injured against Galway and Power was due for a scan to assess his setback.
RESULTS
Played on Friday, April 19
THE SHOWGROUNDS: Sligo Rovers (1) 1 (Fabrice Hartmann), Dundalk (0) 1 (Jamie Gullan pen)
Played on Saturday, April 20
ATHLONE TOWN STADIUM: Athlone Town (2) 2 (Ciara O’Neill, Chloe Singleton pen), Sligo Rovers (0) 1 (Muireann Devaney)
Played on Monday, April 22
THE SHOWGROUNDS: Sligo Rovers (0) 0, Galway United (0) 0
RESULTS
Friday, April 26
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers (Weavers Park, 7.45pm)
Saturday, April 27
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION D F 4 14 4 17 4 20 1 13 3 6 3 12 5 12 4 12 5 9 5 4
Shelbourne Shamrock Rvrs Derry City Bohemians Galway Utd St Patrick’s Ath Sligo Rovers Waterford FC Drogheda Utd Dundalk
Diff +5 +7 +6 +1 0 -1 +1 0 -6 -13