Sligo Rovers will look to extend their unbeaten run against Derry City to six league games when they face the Candystripes at the Showgrounds this Saturday, kick-off 7.45pm.
The Bit O’Red are unbeaten against this weekend’s visitors since July 2023, while August 2021 was the last time Derry overcame Rovers at the Showgrounds.
Both teams have matching records so far this season with one win and three defeats from their opening four outings. Rovers will bring a two game unbeaten run into Saturday’s tie following victory over Shamrock Rovers and a draw in Cork last Friday. While Derry will arrive in Sligo on the back of a defeat to St Pat’s and a draw with Galway.
John Russell will be without Wilson Waweru and the suspended Conor Reynolds, who serves the first of a two game ban having been sent off in Turner’s Cross. Russell will have an otherwise full squad to choose from with Jake Doyle-Hayes expected to return to the fold having missed the game on Leeside for personal reasons.
One player hoping to further impress is full back Reece Hutchinson. The 24-year-old has played every minute of Rovers’ opening five games of the season, scoring in that recent win over Shamrock Rovers.
Hutchinson says he and his team mates have long put behind them Sligo’s patchy start which saw Rovers lose their first three and are ready to extend their recent good form on Saturday.
“It was a rough start and everyone in the squad acknowledges that it wasn’t what we expected of ourselves”, he says.
“We never planned to start with three defeats. But the reaction from the boys has been incredible. We showed a lot of character for a team with so many new players to bounce back the way we have. We’re looking to keep the unbeaten run going now on Saturday.
Looking ahead to Derry, Reece continues: “It’s always tight when we play Derry. They have a lot of talent all over the pitch, but for us it’s about ourselves and what we can do. There’s definitely an advantage there in being at home and we’re looking for another big attendance to replicate the atmosphere we played in against Shamrock Rovers as it gives you such a lift as the game goes on.
“We showed against Cork that there’s plenty of heart in this group. Being part of the defence, I was disappointed with the amount of goals we conceded in our first three. But we shored things up against both Shamrock and Cork and showed that once we cut out the individual mistakes at the back, we’re a force for anyone as we are really threatening going forward.”
Having steadied the ship with that impressive win over Shamrock Rovers and followed that result up with a solid point in Cork, Russell says he is expecting a wounded and dangerous Derry to visit Sligo. He has also called for the Sligo sporting public to back the Bit O’Red under the floodlights once more.
“We know how tough it will be and what kind of test Derry will offer”, he warns.
“They have had a difficult start to the season, are in a hugely false position and we need to expect a backlash as they will be coming to Sligo looking for a win.
“They have invested in their squad heavily over the winter and have huge strength in all positions. They also have players with international experience and there is no way a squad of their depth will be stuck in their current situation for much longer.
“We have to be at our best to deal with them on Saturday and that’s why we need a big crowd. We saw over four thousand in for the Shams game and that support got us across the line. We’re hoping for our supporters to come out on Saturday to get behind the team.
David Goulden