“WE DIDN’T GO OUT WITH A WHIMPER, WE GAVE IT EVERYTHING”
Posted in Latest News,PreviewSeptember 18, 2014Comments Off
ATHLONE TOWN v BOHEMIANS
SSE Airtricity League, Lissywoollen, Friday 19 September, 7.45pm
Bohemians go to Athlone determined to show they have got over their FAI Cup quarter-final defeat.
Manager Owen Heary says his team were “gutted” at not making it to a semi-final. “But our job as coaching staff is to pick them up and get them focused on the league games.
“We don’t just want to see the season out. This will be a test of the players and ourselves, how we respond after being knocked out and, it might seem, with nothing much to play for.”
The narrow defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic was hard for players and coaches to take, said Heary. “When they had a player sent off we threw absolutely everything at them, got a goal back and we’re unfortunate not to get an equaliser.
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“But the positive thing for me was that we didn’t go out with a whimper. We gave it everything.”
Bohemians are now fully concentrated on securing maximum points from the remaining league games to secure at least a mid-table finish.
“Last year the target was to avoid relegation, this year eighth or better, next year we’ll be aiming to go higher. If we can keep the basis of the team we now have for next season, we can improve further.”
Training has focused on set-pieces as half of the ten goals conceded in the last four games have come that source.
“We tidied up on that during the year, so it’s disappointing that we conceded from set pieces in recent games when we were well in the game or getting back into it,” said Heary. “That’s down to a lack of concentration and maybe thinking we’re safe.”
Bohemians face an Athlone side with a target to make it into the play-offs at worst. “Athlone have done well over recent weeks, they’ve turned a corner and I’m they’ll be fired up for Friday,” said Heary.
All Bohemians’ opponents in the coming games, including next Tuesday’s opposition, Shamrock Rovers, still with European ambitions, have something to fight for. “We have all the top teams, bar Dundalk, to play and I’m sure the fans would like to see us compete against these teams.”
For Friday Bohemians will be without Eoin Wearen (suspended), Ryan McEvoy (back injury), Dan Byrne (cruciate) and Anto Murphy (ankle). However, Murphy has returned to training and may make it back for next weekend.
His return would be a boost to the team, which has had to be shuffled and reshuffled to cover for absences at the back. Last Friday Steven Beattie was at left back, having earlier played at right back, on the wing and in attack.
“He has played every position except in goal. With our resources, those are kind of players we have to sign, who can play in numerous positions,” said Heary. Along with Beattie, Derek Pender, Kevin Devaney, Dave Mulcahy, Roberto Lopes and Keith Buckley are among those who have featured in two positions or more.
