Preview: Drogheda United v Bohemians

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Declan Devine says taking to the pitch in Drogheda without the usual vocal support of travelling Bohemians fans behind them will be a strange feeling but has told his side they will need to adjust quickly as they look to build on their encouraging start to the new season.

Devine believes there was no option but to call off Friday’s game against Dundalk, with the Dalymount pitch completely covered in snow. It was disappointing for a side keen to get out on the pitch and impress, but Devine said they made the most of the postponement with extra time on the training pitch over the weekend.

Devine said: “I think the right call was made to call the game off on Friday. Everyone was eager to get out and play but I walked the pitch and it was totally unplayable. It would have put both sets of players in jeopardy, and it was the same at other venues across both divisions.

“It was a strange weekend not having a game but it gave us an extra day’s training and with so many new lads settling in, that was a positive in itself too as the more time we have working together on the training pitch with all the new players we have, the more the players will get to know each other and the better prepared we will be.

“All the new lads have had a really good week’s training together with the group now. They have seriously added to the quality of the group, and I feel that training has been at a really high level all week.

“It was disappointing not to have a game on Friday so we are delighted we are back out on the pitch on Monday now as the players are all chomping at the bit to get out and play, and the St Pat’s game already feels like a lifetime ago.”

There will be no Bohemians fans in attendance at Weavers Park as a result of a one-game supporters ban imposed on the club following incidents during the second half of the 1-0 win away to St Patrick’s Athletic last time out.

Devine addressed his frustrations at those incidents in his remarks prior to Friday’s postponed game and also stated his hope that supporters would learn from the fall-out of what happened, regroup and all pull together in the one direction once more.

But for now, his focus is on making sure his players adjust to the unfamiliarity of playing at a venue with no Bohs fans in attendance.

He added: “There is an excitement within the group right now, everyone wants to be out playing and everyone wants to impress. We have real depth to our squad now and that is something I feel will be really important to us, that we are able to make changes as games evolve.

“But there is no denying that it is going to be strange for us going to a venue – one where we are so used to having such a vocal support behind us – and to not have that this time.

“That is going to have to be something we adjust to very quickly. It will be in the back of our minds that even though our fans cannot be there in person, we know that they will all be at home or meeting up in the pub to watch on LOITV.

“We want to go out and give another good performance and ensure that they enjoy their night wherever they are watching from. So all eyes will be on us again and we have to go out and perform. Drogheda is always a tough venue for any team, and we will have to be at our very best.”

Team news

Paddy Kirk is a doubt with a knock. Keith Buckley (knee), Rob Cornwall (knee) and James McManus (foot) remain out.

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