19.45 24 Apr 2015 -
Referee: Paul Tuite
League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Sligo Rovers
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Apr 24 2015
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC
St Patrick's Athletic’s struggle for consistency continued on Monday night as they were held to a draw by Drogheda United at Richmond Park, meaning they head into Friday's meeting with Sligo looking for just their second win in five games.
Just four wins from nine games is well below the standards the cup-holders have set themselves, and much of that is down to a leaky defence that has conceded the same number of goals as the three sides above them combined. Victory over a struggling Sligo side is therefore imperative.
Speaking to the club's website, Liam Buckley said: “We go into Friday’s game looking to bounce back from the other night. We felt it was two points dropped to be honest. It was a frustrating result as we missed a few chances to kill off and then for them to score, it was disappointing.
“Sligo are a good side and from knowing Owen Heary, having played with him, he’ll get it right there with a little bit more time to work the new players and new surroundings. We know we’ll have to be at our best to get a result.
“Games between ourselves and Sligo have been really entertaining affairs in the past few years. We’ve had some top of the table clashes, games of really open football and the standard has always been top quality. I’d expect nothing different on Friday.”
Striker Christy Fagan is set to have a late fitness test on the knee injury that's kept him out of the last few games, but Togo international Cyriil Guedjé has recovered fully following a hamstring injury. Brendan Clarke is also in line to make his first appearance in over a month after he returned to the bench on Monday.
SLIGO ROVERS
Three games without defeat has gone some way towards easing the pressure on Sligo Rovers boss Owen Heary, but their record of a solitary win all season is better only than last-placed Limerick.
The Bit o' Red's fans became accustomed to attractive football under Paul Cook and saw the value of pragmatic football as Ian Baraclough led them to the league title. The problem for Heary is that, thus far, he's been unable to deliver either and it's difficult to see anything but another 90-minute slog at Richmond Park.
Heary told the club website: “I think we performed very well in the Bohs game. I thought defensively we were very good and we also attacked well in patches of the game. Probably overall it was the best performance we have had this season. I think it’s clear to see the progress that has been made in the weeks since Liam O’Brien and Joseph Ndo have come in.
“Our set up won’t really be too different in how we will play. [Pats] are a very good passing side but we can pass the ball well too and passed it well against Bohs.
“We will have to make sure that we don’t let ourselves get picked off so it will be important to keep a good shape and work hard. And if we can do the defensive side of things well then hopefully take our chances when we go on the offence.”
Heary welcomes back Danny Ledwith from suspension and Steven Beattie from a hamstring injury, while Kevin Devaney may also be fit after recovering from a virus, but Gavin Peers and Jeff Henderson remain long-term absentees.
Referee: Paul Tuite
MATCH STATS
St Patrick's Athletic and Sligo Rovers met three times in 2014. The first game at the showgrounds was drawn 2-2, while Pats ran out 1-0 and 4-1 winners later in the season.
Pats have had the upper hand over the Connacht side in recent times, with Sligo victorious just once in the last ten meetings, a 3-2 win that helped seal the title in 2012. Pats have won five of those games, while four were drawn.
BETTING
St Patrick's Athletic 3/5; Draw 14/5; Sligo Rovers 9/2.
PREDICTION
St Patrick's Athletic 3 -1 Sligo Rovers
St Patrick's Athletic
Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Christy Fagan (knee).
Suspended: None.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Jeff Henderson (foot), Gavin Peers (groin).
Doubtful: Kevin Devaney (virus).
Suspended: None.