SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Bohemians v Derry City (Monday, 7pm)
DERRY City manager Ruaidhri Higgins believes Monday's home clash against Declan Devine’s table toppers Bohemians is the perfect time for his players to bounce back from Friday night’s shock defeat to Drogheda United.
Higgins admitted Friday’s performance wasn’t good enough and he expects his players to put things right this evening against the Gypsies, but he also knows it’s going to be a tough test, especially as the Dalymount Park men are themselves looking to bounce back after losing to old rivals Shamrock Rovers on Friday evening.
“It’s the first defeat of the season and it’s a tough one to take, there’s no getting away from it,” said Higgins after the 1-0 defeat to Drogheda.
“It’s a dig in the ribs but we have an opportunity now on Monday to put it right which is great that it’s only a couple of days away. It should be a really good atmosphere in the ground and hopefully we can serve up something a bit better than that.
“You’re never happy losing matches especially in the manner we lost it on Friday night. You can take plaudits and pats on the back when you do well and win games but you also have to take criticism when you don’t win games that you should.
“We need to be more forceful and really grab the game by the scruff of the neck in key moments and on Friday we were disappointing from that end.
“The Drogheda game is not what we’re about. It’s definitely a backward step but every negative you can change to a positive and hopefully we can do that on Monday.”
The defeat highlighted Derry’s poor form at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, where they have drawn twice, lost once and won once in their opening four home matches.
“Aye, you’re concerned every time you lose a game or drop points,” said Higgins (left).
“It’s disappointing, our home form, but I don’t want to get caught up in it. We’ll start winning games at home soon and hopefully that’s on Monday night.
“We have to go and put it right. [Former Derry manager] Declan coming back is probably not in any of our minds, his or mine. It’s Bohemians against Derry and we need to put in a big performance and right the wrongs from
Friday.
“We’ve put Friday night behind us and fully focused on the game ahead and try to get three points. We know if we’re not at it on Monday night the same thing will happen.”
fixtures
Tonight Cork City v Dundalk (5pm);
Derry City v Bohemians (7pm); Shelbourne v Sligo (7.45pm);
Drogheda v St Patrick’s Athletic (7.45pm); Shamrock Rovers v UCD (8pm)
