“WE NEED TO BOUNCE BACK TOGETHER”

Bohs v Derry

Manager Keith Long is demanding an improved performance as Bohemians aim to climb up the table once more.

Long’s side welcome Derry City to Dalymount Park looking to get back to winning ways after successive defeats to Dundalk and Finn Harps.

Prior to that, Bohs were in good form having picked up 10 points from their previous four games.

That run, coupled with the manner of their unlucky 1-0 defeat against Dundalk two weeks ago, described by Long as Bohs’ “best 90-minute performance of the season,” gave them every reason to go up to Ballybofey last week confident of getting a result.

A win would have put Bohs eight points ahead of Harps and put some distance between them and the relegation zone.

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Instead, despite taking the lead through Dinny Corcoran, who once again dovetailed superbly with playmaker Keith Ward for the goal, Bohs fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat and saw their lead over Harps cut to just two points.

Long said: “We performed badly up in Finn Park. We got what we deserved out of the game – nothing.

“It was a poor display overall and we cannot afford to perform at that level and expect to get anything.

“We came back from the break quite strongly and, although we lost against Dundalk last time out at Dalymount, our level of performance that night was impressive.

“That’s the frustrating part. Having done well previously to then go to Ballybofey and fail to impose ourselves on the game was difficult for us all to take.”

Long, however, will not allow his side to lick their wounds. They remain in seventh place and just a point off sixth and five points off tomorrow’s opposition Derry City in fifth.

But he knows his side will have to be at their very best to beat a Candystripes side who have enjoyed the bragging rights over the Gypsies in all six meetings between the teams in all competitions since Kenny Shiels took charge at the start of last season.

Long added: “We have to play with more quality, more aggression and more intensity to get anything from the game.

“We need to bounce back together from the disappointment of last week and concentrate on getting better. The atmosphere around the team and the club is good and we want that to continue.

“Nothing is as important as being loved and valued – the lads love playing for this club and we need to see that passion in every performance until the end of the season.

“If we can do that, we know that the fans in the Jodi will get behind us as they have done all year.”

TEAM NEWS

Skipper Derek Pender (hamstring) remains out meaning new signing Dan Casey could keep his place at right-back having made his debut in Ballybofey last week.

Warren O’Hora (illness) returns to the squad and could take the place of Rob Cornwall, who is suspended.

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