Sligo Rovers have learned how to play and win ‘ugly’

FIVE POINTS clear after the first four games and a 100% record - what a great start to the season. I was slightly worried about our trip to Oriel Park as Dundalk had made a decent start and had signed some quality players. We put in a top class performance and won comfortably in the end. Raf Cretaro got the show on the road with an early strike and Gavin Peers got a header just before the break. In our last two games we have scored at crucial stages of the games and it’s been very demoralising for our opponents. Anthony Elding was at it again to make it 3-0 and he is the investment of the year as top scorer. The only disappointment on the night was the concession of our first goal of the season but in fairness it was a wonder strike from Kurtis Byrne. Dundalk will be a difficult place to go for many teams and to get the three points was great credit to the players.

We stumbled to victory on Saturday night against an impressive Limerick team. It was a vital three points in what was honestly a mediocre performance from us. In the first half we never got going and they executed their game plan perfectly. The problems against Bray were also evident in Saturdays performance. It’s going to be difficult at home this year as teams are going to make it hard for us to break them down.

Limerick pressed us all the way which not a lot of teams do when they come to the Showgrounds and broke at pace. I thought in the first half they won the midfield battle and Curran up top proved a handful for our two central defenders. We went one down after a clinical strike from Curran and could have been two down only for the timely intervention of Evan McMillan. On the stroke of half time after our best and most patient move of the match, Elding got his now weekly headed goal after a great cross from Keano.

That goal may have changed Ian Baraclough’s team talk to a certain extent but I’m sure he would have informed the players of their average performances. In fairness to the lads we upped our game in the second half and had more possession without being at the top of our game. A decision that surprised me was the substitution of Rafael Cretaro, as I thought he was one of our better players on the night. We huffed and puffed and the game seemed destined to end in a draw when Jeff Henderson bundled home the winning goal.

I was delighted for Henderson as he had looked rusty during the ninety minutes. Jeff had replaced Gavin Peers on Saturday and I felt sorry for the lad as he has played very little football recently. This is a major gripe I have with the league - a guy like Jeff could sit on a bench for three months and then be expected to walk into a team and play at the same level as guys who are playing weekly. I have called for the introduction of a reserve league where lads could play regular football. I'm sure Djilali would benefit from games now and our returning injured players could get game time if we had a reserve league. The League needs to do something immediately as too many guys are being starved of football practice.

Some fans were disgruntled leaving on Saturday night but I was more than happy. This team knows how to win games, knows how to get over the line and is a team used to the habit of winning even when not performing at our best.

How many times have you watched Man Utd win ugly, score in the last minute, go to the last second. Our team carries these qualities. I personally would like to watch amazing football every week, but I’m more than happy to watch a winning team. I personally want to see us win.

I believe we will get better as the season progresses and with major players to still come back we will improve. A factor which is not helping the players cause is the condition of the playing surfaces. If we are going to witness better football we need to see an improvement on the playing surface. It seems to be a nationwide problem as Tolka Park looks just as poor.

This week we have two very winnable games in the capital against Bohs and UCD. I think we have been more expansive away from home and with home teams having to come out and play, it gives us the opportunity to create more. I predict six out of six with the Bohs game being the tougher of the two assignments.

The knifes were out for Trapattoni prior to the game in Stockholm but once again he answered his critics. I wasn't a fan of some of his selection decisions but they all worked wonderfully. I thought the back five were outstanding and was over the moon for my ex-Derry teammate David Forde making his competitive debut.

I was really impressed with Mark Wilson, who was very composed on the ball, with two good feet and he defended well. With Robbie Keane missing on Tuesday I hope he plays Wes Hoolahan in behind the striker. I also hope he sticks with the two boys in the centre of the park and doesn't feel the need to bring back Whelan. The one thing I'm sure of is that he could pick any eleven for the match against Austria.