Baraclough urges caution ahead of weekend’s action

DESPITE HIS side’s blistering start to the new season, Sligo Rovers manager, Ian Baraclough, (right) is urging caution ahead of a busy Bank Holiday week-end schedule.

Unbeaten Rovers face Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Good Friday and are away to UCD on Easter Monday.

With a five point cushion at the top of the table after four successive wins, the defending Champions are setting a hot pace. But Baraclough refuses to get carried away by his side’s earlyseason form.

He cautions: “We can’t afford to take anything for granted. Our good pre-season preparations are paying off but it’s early yet and we’ve got to stay focussed.

The manager is anticipating a tough test against Bohs at Dalymount on Friday.

The Dubliners held Shamrock Rovers to a scoreless draw on their last outing and will relish the prospect of toppling the current champions.

“Bohs have got in some decent recruits this year and they are a team which always works very hard” says Baraclough, “By all accounts, the pitch isn’t great at Dalymount just now so that will be a challenge as well.

“We had a tough game there last year so we certainly won’t be taking them lightly”

And Rovers won’t need to be reminded of the potential pitfalls at the Belfield Bowl on Monday.

They lost 1-0 away to the Students last year -one of only three defeats suffered by the Bit O’Red in the 2012 campaign. UCD have had a torrid start to the season but Rovers can’t afford to be complacent ahead of Monday’s showdown.

Gavin Peers, who missed last week’s win over Limerick through injury, is expected to be fit for the week-end double bill and Pascal Millien will also come into contention after returning from international duty.

Danny Ventre has resumed training but this week’s games could come too early for him while Joseph Ndo is also likely to miss out with a hand injury.