SHAMROCK ROVERS Home form at Tallaght hasn’t been too shabby but in truth, Rovers have dropped significantly more points overall than one would expect of a side with genuine Premier Division title pretentions. Head Coach Stephen Bradley has consiste
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Home form at Tallaght hasn’t been too shabby but in truth, Rovers have dropped significantly more points overall than one would expect of a side with genuine Premier Division title pretentions.
Head Coach Stephen Bradley has consistently talked his team up but he will concede that just seven goals scored and eight points gathered away from home is just not good enough. Everybody talks about the ‘project’ and there’s no doubt that Bradley and cohorts like Stephen McPhail and Damien Duff are delivering much good work at the Kingswood Academy, but diehard Hoops fans just won’t stand for first team underachievement.
A couple of good recent results and a lean period for both St. Patrick’s Athletic and Derry sees Rovers in fourth place and Bradley will be looking up the table rather than down. Third place and a good Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup run will be essential for a club that meekly exited the EA Sports Cup at home to First Division Longford Town.
Mid-Season Rating: C
The Hoops have picked-up some notable results, including decisive 3-0 wins over champions Cork City and Dublin rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic along with a 0-0 draw with high-flying Dundalk, but Rovers have lacked consistency. Stephen Bradley’s charges lost in Bray and have dropped seven points to their other big Dublin adversaries Bohemians.
Best Player: Graham Burke
If, as is likely, the recently-capped midfielder, moves on to Preston North End, Rovers will miss his creativity and goal threat. Burke has contributed 13 strikes this season – that’s more than twice the yield of Rovers’ next highest scorer, Dan Carr.
Most Promising Newcomer: Aaron Bolger
The younger Bolger has had to balance his Rovers appearances with studying for his Leaving Certificate but the former St. Joseph’s Boys player has been influential in the Rovers midfield. The diminutive 18 year old has impressed many with the quality of his tackling and decision making.
Area They Need To Strengthen: Defence
The Rovers rearguard has only shipped more goals than front running Cork City and Dundalk, but has shown a tendency to concede at vital stages in big matches.
