Alan Reynolds has told Bohemians players and supporters they will need to give everything of themselves from the first minute to the final whistle when they host Galway United at Dalymount Park.
Bohs’ excellent start to the season has seen them win four and draw one of their opening five games, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
But Bohs have come away from games against tomorrow night’s opposition empty-handed in the past, and Reynolds says his players’ eyes are wide open to the challenge that awaits them against John Caulfield’s side.
In the sides’ four meetings last season, Reynolds’ men won twice but so too did the Tribesmen – first at Dalymount in March and again in Eamonn Deacy Park in October.
Reynolds said: “We are delighted with our form going into this game and the results we have had give us great confidence. But everything we have got so far has been hard-fought-for, and that level of commitment and concentration needs to be there once more for what is going to be a really tough game.
“We know how good Galway can be, they have already come up to Dublin and taken a point off Shelbourne this season. We are facing a team and manager who have caused us plenty of problems in the past, so nobody should be under any illusions about how well organised and hard to beat a team managed by John Caulfield will be.
“But our focus will always be on our own game. We will be looking to start with the same intensity we have in recent games and push on again.”
Reynolds often avoids singling out individuals for public praise, but believes his players deserve all the plaudits they have received in recent weeks for their early-season form.
He said: “Our players are getting the praise they deserve from supporters and we want that to continue. We had three of our players – Dawson Devoy, Colly Whelan and Pat Hickey – take up three of the six nominations for the February Player of the Month. Maybe that was one too many though and split the vote because Michael Duffy from Derry City ended up winning!
“But having three nominees in the first place shows how well our players have performed in that period, and we probably had others who could have been in contention too. The challenge for us now is to replicate that consistency into this month, and build on it.”
Bohs come into the game on the back of a 1-0 victory away to Reynolds’ former club Waterford last week.
He said: “We were fantastic in the first half. In a game that had a lot of stoppages for injuries, we were the dominant side, and I was delighted to see Sam Todd get on the scoresheet as he’s been fantastic for us since coming in. The reality is we should have been further ahead at the break. We created a lot of chances, and we were really good on the eye. We played some great stuff.
“The second half, particularly the start of it, was a different kind of game for us though. We had some nervy moments in that period. Waterford really tested us, and we had to hold our nerve.
“Jon Daly obviously made changes at half-time that drove them on and we were hanging on at times during that period. They got through us once or twice but overall we stood up tall and defended well when we had to.
“We made our own changes, and the introduction of Sadou Diallo helped settle the game. It was great to finally give Sads his debut as he has the potential to be a big player for us once he gets properly up to speed.
“I felt we managed what was a different kind of game for us than the first half. We held our ground when they put us under pressure, and in the end we had a couple of good chances of our own towards the end to put the game to bed.
“It was a good win. We would have preferred to have given ourselves the cushion of an extra goal or two in the first half, but I’m pleased with the character our players showed when Waterford threw everything at us in the second half.
“The support we had behind us helped us get through those tough periods too. I know we brought 600 fans down with us but there was so much singing and dancing in the away section in the second half you’d think we were 4-0 up, not hanging on by the skin of our teeth at times!
“It’s been great to have that support. The players are thriving on the connection they have had with the fans this season and we want that to continue. So again my message for our fans is the exact same as my message to our players: Give it everything from the first minute to the final whistle.”
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