‘ We’re trying to build on positives’ says Lyttle

SLIGO Rovers manager Gerard Lyttle says he believes his side can move up the table very soon if they stick together.

Rovers twice came from behind on Friday night to draw 2- 2 with Bray Wanderers.

Lyttle’s appointment has brought about an improvement in the squad’s performances, and there have been positives to take each week.

Although the former Cliftonville boss was disappointed with the goals conceded by his side once again, the second- half performance of his players gave him something to smile about.

“I’m disappointed that we conceded those goals. We got ourselves back into the game after going 1- 0 down. I thought the goals were preventable. We’re gifting teams easy goals and they haven’t had to work much for them. I have to say fair play to the boys they’ve come back. In the second half they were tremendous and more like themselves. We’re trying to build on the positives.”

Centre- half Mick Leahy netted twice for the Bit O’Red on the night: “He started the play and there was a couple of nice passages of play leading up to it. He continued his run. It’s great play from him in the end because he’s determined to try and get the goal. He done that. Raff’s touch for him, whether he meant it or not, for him to finish was superb. I’m happy with that and it’s good attacking play from us.”

Lyttle admitted that his side struggled to contend with former player Aaron Greene in the firsthalf. “At half- time we’re thinking ‘ jeez if Bray are going to come out and continue to play like they were, I thought Bray were brilliant in the first half, we couldn’t cope with them’. Their movement was good, they moved the ball really well. I just thought we couldn’t get to grips with Aaron Greene playing as the ten. He was finding too many pockets in between the lines. We just couldn’t cope. In the second half we coped a lot better.”

Rovers host Finn Harps at home this Friday, their last game before the mid- season break. The signs have been good for Rovers in recent games, but Lyttle knows a win is vital.

“It’s a big week. We’ll prepare for the Finn Harps game, they’ve had a good win against Limerick. It’s going to be a tough game again. They’re down beside us. It’s important we try and pick up points and try and win these games.

“I can see the difference in terms of our pressing and our fitness and our sharpness, it’s getting there. We just need to know now how to win games and hopefully that will come sooner rather than later.

He added: “I want to be moving up the table. If we keep working hard and sticking together that will come.”