DERRY CITY manager Kenny Shiels wants his team to maintain their attacking style when they welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to the Brandywell on Friday.
Shiels hopes that whatever attack-minded players he selects can get on the front foot from the first whistle against the Dubliners: “We play with a very attack-minded side, with four attackers, and I hope the supporters are happy with what they are seeing,” said the City boss.
“We have a single striker through the middle, two on the sides and one behind, so we play with four attackers in most phases, which gives us good options. We had 24 shots [against Limerick] on Monday night, which was fantastic, but it didn’t turn out fantastic because we lost 1-0. I want us to start early, on the front foot and make sure that we have got momentum in the game.”
Shiels is also baffled how Liam Buckley’s side aren’t higher up the table and knows they have players - like Christy Fagan, Mark Timlin, Billy Dennehy and Conan Byrne - who can hurt his team if they are given the chance.
“You can’t overlook the fact that they have a really good team, their league position doesn’t reflect the quality that they have,” he said.
“They are a good team, we know that and we know that we are going to be in for a big game, so let’s make sure we are ready for that.”
Friday evening’s encounter will be Derry’s third game in a week and Shiels has a few players struggling with bumps and bruises: “We have got niggles, strains and injuries, but where do you start? It gives someone else a chance to come in and bed themselves into the team.”
Elsewhere in the Premier Division this evening, Dundalk, fresh from Tuesday night’s memorable Champions League exploits, are back in action as they take on Galway United in front of the eir Sports cameras at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Shamrock Rovers come up against bottom side Longford Town at Tallaght Stadium, while Sligo Rovers make the trip to Ferrycarrig Park to take on an out of sorts Wexford, who have lost seven out of their last eight league outings.
In the First Division, in-form Limerick, who won at the Brandywell on Monday night, come up against Drogheda United at United Park. There’s a Dublin derby at Tolka Park, as Shelbourne entertain UCD, Cabinteely have home advantage over Cobh Ramblers and Roddy Collins’ Waterford United take on bottom side Athlone Town.
