SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE
Friday April 15 2022
Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Bohemians start the second series of games still looking to find the consistency that can propel them up the table.
With a quarter of the league season gone, Derry City are currently the runaway leaders, enjoying a six-point lead over nearest challengers Shamrock Rovers.
But the chasing pack is somewhat more congested.
Bohemians currently sit in sixth place after an indifferent start but there is just three points between them and third spot.
That makes the small margins of conceding late goals to Derry City and Drogheda United in recent games, costing one point and two points respectively, all the more frustrating for manager Keith Long.
Now he wants his team to put a run of results together that can see them looking up the table rather than looking over their shoulders.
Long said: “We now enter the second phase of games and I believe every team with the exception of Derry are looking for a greater level of consistency in terms of results and performances.
“The table is taking shape somewhat but teams that can put a run of games together will climb the table very quickly.
“We are only concerned with ourselves, however, and generating an increased level of performance every week, which will see us move in the right direction.
“Good teams find a way to win and also find a way not to lose when games are in the balance.
“We must do better on both fronts in this phase of games and for the remainder of our campaign.
“I don’t believe we are a million miles off and there have been many positives in recent displays without us necessarily hitting the performance levels I believe we are capable of.
“There have been some good signs but we need to produce them over a prolonged period of time and not in moments.”
Tonight at Dalymount Park they host Ollie Horgan’s Finn Harps – a side they have found difficult to break down at times in the past.
Long said: “We face a good Finn Harps team who will also be looking to improve in this series of games.
“I suspect Harps will feel their points tally so far this season does not reflect some of their performances and as always they are very dangerous opponents.
“We will need to focus on producing our best performance and as always our supporters have a pivotal role to play in that.”
It will by some distance be the biggest home support at Dalymount this year with Bohs fans able to purchase tickets for the Des Kelly Stand for the first time this season. That allocation sold out this morning.
Long added: “Dalymount in full voice is an intimidating place to play and it is all of our responsibility to make it an uncomfortable place for visiting teams, so we hope the fans get behind the team from the off again.”
TEAM NEWS
James Finnerty (knee) remains out while Grant Horton (knee) and Stephen Mallon (ankle) are doubts.
