‘It’s about time we stood up and put in the same effort as fans’
SLIGO Rovers manager Ger Lyttle praised his side’s fighting spirit on Saturday night after they recorded a well deserved and crucial victory over Keith Long’s Bohemians at The Showgrounds.
Vinny Faherty’s first half goal was enough to seal all three points, but it could have been so much more on the night.
The failure to take advantage of our chances was one disappointing aspect of the game for Lyttle, but his side’s defensive strength meant that they were never really in danger of conceding.
“It’s all about the win. We just said tonight that this is where winners, or if you want to call it legends for the wrong reasons, are made. Normally you hear legends are when you win leagues or cup and stuff like that but we’re in our own league. We’re at a stage where we need to win three cup finals,” he said.
The former Cliftonville boss felt it was time that his players put in the same effort as the fans and people working behind the scenes.
“The boys showed heart and spirit. We talked about the unbelievable support we have and the unbelievable support behind the scenes to keep this club working, and it’s about time we stood up and put in the same effort as they put into it. I thought tonight we did.”
While the Bit O’Red should undoubtedly have won by more than one goal, Lyttle is just pleased with the victory.
“Obviously disappointed slightly that we didn’t put it to bed earlier because you’re hanging on at 1-0 and you’re uncomfortable sometimes. We’ve had chance after chance, we need to be a bit more clinical and it’s been the story of our season. I don’t care, it’s 1-0, it’s a win, it’s three points, we’ll move on and we’ll look forward to the next game.”
With Regan Donelon’s tackle preventing an Akinade equaliser in the second-half, Lyttle paid tribute to the 21-year-old, who he says has been ‘excellent’ since he took over the reins.
“It’s frightening. Regan Donelon has come into his own world this season. For me, he’s up there with the best left backs in the league at this present time. He keeps getting better and better. We’re defensively sound and we’ve worked on be- ing positive and going forward a bit more. He’s a great kid, a great lad to work with. The determination to recover from the tackle at the last minute was unbelievable and fair play to him. He’s been excellent since I’ve come in.”
The impact of Vinny Faherty was almost immediate, and his goals could prove crucial to Rovers’ survival bid.
“Vinny is one of them boys. If you looked at him during the week in training he would frustrate the hell out of you,” joked Lyttle.
“He steps up in a game, he’s a man, he holds the ball up well, he has experience, he gets his headers, he’s really disappointed with himself in there. He’s beating himself about he missed chance in the second half. He’s really stepped up, he did it against Finn Harps as well and he’s done it here. Long may it continue.”
The centre-half pairing of Seamus Sharkey and Kyle Callan-McFadden has significantly strengthened Rovers defence, and Lyttle praised their partnership.
“They’re great in our box and they’re great in the opposition box. They’re a threat when we go for a corner or a set play. The relationship they’ve bonded really well. There’s a great understanding between the two of them, they’re two winners. They want to win everything.
“Sometimes they get a bit too anxious and they want to win everything but they can’t. To have two players, certainly centre-halves, like that in your team you’re looking forward to it, it’s something to build on. Sharkey’s been excellent, Kyle is only 22 and he’s forming into an unbelievable leader at an early age.”
Youngster Jack Keaney was given a shout in the starting 11, and he certainly justified his place.
“It was probably a big shout throwing a young lad in at this crucial stage of the season but I had every trust in him and every faith in him. He’s a young lad and a bright lad. He’s a good talent. He plays well ,he has legs, he’s tall, he has confidence, I’m looking forward to seeing young Jack grow into a young man and being a great player and a top player for Sligo Rovers. John Mahon as well is a great player, he’s going to be a great asset for this club, top ability. You’re bringing players like Jack, John and the young goalkeeper Ed through then the future’s bright.”
But with three games left, Lyttle is realistic. He knows that they are not out of the woods yet by any stretch of the imagination.
“We all got carried away at Finn Harps. We try and win every game, there’s no bones about it. We set up to win every game. The next game is going to be a very tight game I would imagine. We’ll set up for a hard game against Shamrock Rovers. They’re fighting for Europe. It depends on what happens on Tuesday with them and Dundalk. We just focus on Sligo Rovers and what we can go and how we can approach the game. Three points is three points.”
He did admit, though, that keeping calm on the sidelines can be difficult when there is so much at stake during the game.
“I’m kicking every ball. I was trying to defend, you do get caught up. There was one stage where I said to the boys I thought I was going to faint because I got up too quick and there was too much shouting. As a manager it’s out of your hands in a way.
“You can’t put the ball in the net for them or defend a header. You’re relying on your boys. The boys have been great. It’s been a hard season, we’re just determined to finish on a positive note, try our utmost to keep this club up.”