Red

The Zone

A massive few days lie in store for Sligo Rovers this weekend with a visit to fellow strugglers St Pat’s on Friday before run- away leaders Cork come to the Showgrounds next Monday. THE high of defeating an underwhelming Limerick the week previous was followed by dejection on Friday. It looked like the Bit O’Red could extend Dundalk’s winless streak to three league games following a first half in which the Louth men were contained.

However a defensive collapse in the second half was to Rovers’ downfall. Dundalk doing to Rovers what we did to Limerick, ruthlessly capitalising on individual mistakes.

Central to Dundalk’s success on Friday last was the ease in which they held on to the ball for long periods.

Patrick McEleney, Michael Duffy and Robbie Benson will find space in a sardine can with their movement and pace. But they found all too easy in the middle on Friday.

Kieran Sadlier left Regan Donelon exposed all too often while Liam Martin works hard but is too easily passed, although the culprit for three of the goals was Tobi Adebayo- Rowling.

We did well to keep Tobi here this year. His form from June on was exceptional and we looked to have found a timely replacement for Alan Keane.

The club knew they had a gem on their hands and acted swiftly to tie him down to a 16 month deal last July.

He was still liable to leave for an amount far below his worth but the club would have to see some sort of redress regardless.

What we have seen from him this year has been a total let down.

The opposite of the sort of form that won him last year’s young player of the year. He looks undisciplined, three yards off the pace and at times just irresponsible. He was skinned far too easily for Jamie McGrath’s first, had a laissez- faire attitude in his attempt to control a cross- field ball that lead to Dundalk’s second and was totally careless when he needlessly brought down McGrath for the penalty.

His form has dipped so badly that his side of the pitch has become a target for a lot of teams.

I thought it strange this season that Martin has spent a lot of time on the right side for a left footed player.

The most obvious reason is a lack of trust of Tobi from the bench. Sadlier needs to be cajoled into tracking back too often while Martin will at least chase when Tobi finds himself in trouble.

Ger Lyttle spoke honestly after the game about the contrast in resources between Rovers and Dundalk. They were able to bring on three players who between them have eight League of Ireland titles while Lyttle had two 19- year- olds and Craig Roddan to call on. It was as he put it “men against boys.”

The win over Limerick maybe raised expectation levels a little too high. The target in pre- season was Europe, but that plan is on ice for now.

Now the challenge is to merely survive in what is an average, but tight league. Our important points this season will come against the Limericks, the Galways, the Harps and the Droghedas. Dundalk, for their misgivings this year are still an exceptional outfit, wringing with talent.

They have replaced their two lynch- pins from last season with new signings and it will come together for them.

Cork will have their dip in the summer and then it will be up to Dundalk to keep within striking distance.

For Rovers, a win in Inchicore isn’t out of the question and given the gap between fourth and tenth is currently seven points, one win can go a long way.

Heads will have dropped after Friday so it’s essential that those confidence levels Lyttle speaks about are raised again. As a win would see us move