Mid Season Report Card - Sligo Rovers

Club: Sligo Rovers

Manager: Owen Heary (official manager), Joey Ndo (Interim charge)

Stadium: The Showgrounds

Highest attendance this season: - 3082 -V- Cork City

Highest league goalscorer: Dinny Corcoran (6 goals)

Mid Season Position: 10th

How we thought they would do

When it was announced that Owen Heary was taking over from Gavin Dykes in the off season a lot of fans were left shocked but trusted the board. He came into the job and said all the right things about wanting to help the team win the league again and had high standards for himself which he expected others to follow. He brought in a raft of new players with the most notable being Estonian International Sander Puri and ex Chelsea player Morten Neilsen. A lot of fans had high expectations of Heary after an impressive preseason and this was evident at the team’s first home game of the season against Cork City where a massive 3082; people attended the Showgrounds to watch an entertaining draw between the two teams.

How they really have done

As it has turned out, Owen Heary's dream has become a nightmare. The team have only won two games so far this season and sit a disappointing tenth in the league standings. The players he brought in haven't settled except for maybe Stephen Beattie and to a degree Dinny Corcoran. The manager hasn't helped things either by chopping and changing things week in and week out.

Moment of the season so far

Rovers fans haven't had to much to sing about this season, a lot of the performances haven't been up to scratch. The only real highlight of the season was the performance on the first day of the season against Cork City.

Star Player – Dinny Corcoran

Sadly there hasn't been any players who have stood out week in and week out for the Bit O'Red. Each player seems to just play their own game and the team severely lacks leaders. But if I was to pick one player out who has done well it would have to be top scorer Dinny Corcoran and that's only by virtue of his six goals this season.

Surprise star player – Stephen Beattie

A lot of fans at the start of the season had high hopes for certain players but the one I'll pick out is Stephen Beattie. He came into the team and always gives one hundred percent.

Young player – Gary Boylan and Gary Armstrong

The only plus of the season so far has been the performances of the youngsters, Gary Boylan and Gary Armstrong. Both have done well whenever they have been called upon by the Bit O'Red management and have a massive future in football, whether it be in the League Of Ireland or in the UK

Star signing – Dinny Corcoran

As I've said above it comes down to two players and that's Dinny Corcoran or Stephen Beattie and Dinny comes out on top by virtue of his goal tally this season.

What they need to do in the transfer market

One thing that has been lacking in the Sligo Rovers side since Ross Gaynor left for Cork City this time last season is a quality left back. Both Danny Ledwith and Jake Dykes have struggled to make it their own position this season and fans would hope that those in charge at the club can see this.

Where we see them finishing

At the start of the season I was optimistic that Sligo Rovers could challenge Dundalk, Cork City and the top Dublin clubs for the league title, after the disastrous first half to the season fans can hope that Rovers can pull away from the Relegation zone and finish in a more respectable position.