Rovers continue survival bid with draw against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght.
With a mere two games to go, Sligo Rovers find themselves in a good position. ‘Good’ is probably too strong, but it is encouraging that they remain out of the bottom three after a game against Shamrock Rovers who secured European football on Friday evening.
Derry City are the opponents this Saturday evening, and while they will be no easy feat, Rovers’ good run of form certainly does inspire confidence.
Since that horrendous 4-0 defeat in Buncrana on July 9th, Rovers have played ten league games. Of those ten games, the Bit O’Red have won three, drawn six and lost just the one game - not exactly a run of form you would expect for relegation candidates.
Rovers were well worth at least a point in Tallaght on Friday night, and most fans of Shamrock Rovers would tell you the same thing. They fought until the bitter end, and Ger Lyttle’s second half substitutes had the desired effect.
Both Greg Moorhouse and Jamie McDonagh had an energy that the first half performance lacked, and Benny Igiehon’s size was causing problems for the Shams defence. Benny at times was like a young Adebayo Akinfenwa (that’s a compliment), when Hoops players were bouncing off him expecting to win frees and ending up with nothing.
Finally, there is strength in depth and while
Lyttle was left stuck at times with nothing on the bench, he now finally has a selection of players to choose from.
There was a calmness about the performance, a calmness that we will need for the next two games. This could prove to be a vital point in the run in. Rovers were excellent in the second-half. That kind of performance in the last two games should see us safe.
Galway, however, are the in-form team in the league at the minute, despite still being stuck in the bottom three. In their last five league games, Shane Keegan’s side have won twice and drawn three games. Again, it’s not exactly relegation form but a poor start to the season has seen them struggle ever since.
They face Limerick this weekend, and a defeat for Galway with Rovers winning would see us confirmed as safe. But with the way things have gone this season, you can take nothing for granted.
Stay above Galway and we will be fine. Win our last two games and we will be fine. Simple as that.
Brandon Miele’s pre-match comments got a lot of attention on Friday before the game. Ger Lyttle was unimpressed with the ‘unprofessional’ comments from the Hoops man. He wanted to send us all back to Sligo, he said. He complained about a rivalry after the last game.
His comments, as silly and non-sensical
as they were, added a bit more to the game. Footballers now are afraid to inject a bit of opinion or controversy into interviews and who could blame them, they get taken apart for it. I largely welcome any kind of fighting talk before a game, so long as we don’t creep into boxing or UFC territory, but it just adds an extra bit of needle into the game. Miele’s unpopular comments went down a treat. They were, in fact, used as motivation to drive Rovers on, said Ger Lyttle. Good. Thanks for the help Mr. Miele. We appreciate it very much.
Again this Saturday evening there is a fundraiser for the club. The club has been in a difficult financial position this season, sacking a manager and strengthening the squad in the summer window add to the costs, along with the long gap between home league games.
It’s tough when it comes to this stage of the season and fundraising is required just to see you over the line but it’s got to be done.
Rovers fans always turn up when they are needed to support the club financially, and although it’s annoying at times having to constantly dig them out of a hole, it’s all part of the fun.
Saturday’s game against Derry City is absolutely huge and after the game against Bohs drew a huge crowd, I would expect an even larger crowd there this Saturday. They need all the support they can get.