John Coleman takes his inconsistent Waterford side to the capital where their hosts Shamrock Rovers will no doubt be keen to bounce back after the defeat at Dalymount on Monday. The result was Rovers’ 3rd consecutive defeat against their biggest rivals this season. A damning record for a side that are fancied by many to run away with the title. Manager Stephen Bradley was not afraid to admit who were the better team on Monday night.
”First half we were really really poor. We were miles off the levels we’ve set ourselves and as a result Bohs punished us. They were better in every department in the first half.”
The long weekend was a fruitful one for Waterford though as they picked up 4 points out of a possible 6 against potential title challengers Bohs and Champions albeit ‘Duffless’ Shels. 2 quickfire goals just before the break was enough to see off the Gypsies but manager John Coleman thinks his side were perhaps slightly fortunate to get a result against a Joey O’ Brien led Shelbourne.
” I think there’s a word for the performance and that’s Theft”
Team News
Experienced Welsh defender Adam Matthew’s remains the only absentee for The Hoops from the injury he picked up early on at Tolka Park and is expected to be out for another 2 or 3 weeks. Everyone else should be available for the hosts.
Former Dundalk defender Andy Boyle returned to action at the RSC on Monday and will be in contention. While former Arsenal academy product Trae Coyle returned to the match day squad in the same game. Young starlet Conan Noonan will be ineligible to face his parent club. Everyone else should be available for the visitors.
Title Race?
While Monday night was a very disappointing performance from Rovers, Stephen Bradley will be confident in his players responding well back at home on Friday night. In a week where a polarising figure in the league resigned. The reason he was and will still be polarising is his inability to control himself in post match interviews when his side hasn’t played as he’d like. That has never been a problem for Bradley who is very measured in his approach Win, Lose or Draw! Monday was no different but having said that the Jobstown man will be expecting a reaction from his players. Bohs welcome Sligo simultaneously as this game so will be looking to close the gap to 6 points which will leave them in a strong position with 2 games in hand as Rovers turn their attention to Europe.
Waterford’s Inconsistency
John Coleman’s reign so far as Waterford boss has been an interesting one. They’ve played some lovely football and Coleman himself has come across very well in interviews but the results have definitely been a mixed bag. They are the team that Sligo will be eyeing up to get out of the relegation playoff position but yet there is talk from within the Waterford camp of having ambitions to qualify for Europe this season! They could definitely have more points than they do as most of their better performances have come in defeats, one being the last fixture between these 2 at the RSC where John Coleman couldn’t believe how his side came away with nothing in a 3-1 defeat. It’s difficult to know what Waterford will turn up but they are absolutely more than capable of going to Tallaght and getting a result if they’re on it.
Conan Noonan
While Conan Noonan may not have hit exceptionally high heights at his time on loan at Waterford so fa, I think it’s fair to say he’s found a position where he feels most comfortable. In the few occasions he played at Rovers it was usually as a 6 who was playing deepe but this season for Waterford he is being used as a 10 and that really seems to be where John Coleman is getting the most out of him. He obviously won’t, however be eligible to play this game against his parent club and no doubt he’ll be a miss for Waterford. Interested to see how much he will get utilised by Bradley next season because I think there’s a good player in there.
Player to Watch: Ed McGinty.
I personally don’t think McGinty has lived up to the heights he did at Sligo so far in Tallaght. Last season, Pohls grew into his role as the season went on and ended up being a real safe pair of hands in Europe at the end of the season. I think he would’ve felt slightly hard done by to be replaced immediately. While McGinty has had good moments this season, – most notably his late penalty save against Drogheda early in the season- he’s been very liable to a few clangers and struggling to command his box. That will be a worry heading into big European tie coming up.
Prediction: Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Waterford
It’s a big game this for Rovers. Bohs will really believe there’s a title race to be had if Rovers drop more points here. Waterford are very capable of causing the hosts issues but I think Rovers will just about do enough to get the 3 points.
Great article Sam Bailey @supersamplayz