Alan Reynolds says his Bohemians side need to shake the shackles off and play with no fear when Shelbourne come to Dalymount for a Bank Holiday Monday Dublin derby.
Bohs come into the game having moved back up to third position in the table after Friday’s 1-1 draw at home to Derry City but without a win in eight games.
Reynolds’ men trailed the Candystripes at half-time on Friday after lacklustre first half in which James Olayinka gave the visitors the lead after 39 minutes.
Bohs regrouped at the break and the introduction of Ross Tierney for the second period appeared to give the home side a renewed sense of purpose, with Markuss Strods netting a deserved equaliser after 52 minutes.
The Gypsies were the better side in the second half, and were left disappointed that they didn’t capitalise to claim a long-waited victory.
Reynolds said: “In the first half, I felt we weren’t at the races. We seemed to be playing with the handbrake on at times but in the second half, we were more ourselves.
“We really committed to it in the second half. Rossi coming on made a big difference and was a real spark for us. He’s had a tricky time of late but he really showed what he is capable of on Friday.
“We’re not in a bad place in the table but we all know we are in a difficult run of form and we have to be brave to get back to the form we had at the start of the season.
“Even in that run of form, there have been performances where there has been plenty to be positive about and the common denominator in those is where we have been brave and played without fear – in particular in the second half on Friday and for the majority of the game against Shamrock Rovers.
“We took a bit of stick at half-time on Friday and the week before away to St Pat’s. That’s understandable given the run of form we have had but I’d ask them to stick with us and get behind the players. I think the reception we got from our supporters at the end of Friday’s game recognised the improvement in our performance in the second half.
“But they want to see more of it, and I want to see more of it too. We’ve taken a bit of stick for the run we have been on but I believe in our players and they believe in what we are trying to do.
“We need to take that belief on to the pitch, play without fear and take the shackles off ourselves a bit, be quick, set the tempo and have the courage to get at teams more.”
Another positive from Friday night was Latvian U21 international Strods scoring in his second game in a row, his first league goals for the club, following on from netting in the FAI Cup last season, and setting up goals in home games against Galway United and Dundalk in March.
He said: “We’re delighted with Markuss. He’s making a real impact for us this season. He’s a really talented young player who’s been knocking on the door for a while now and he’s snatched his chance this season.
“He’s still only 19 years of age but he’s big and strong and great with both feet. He has been a really important player for us already – his overall play has been excellent as well as chipping in with assists and now goals too.
“Like Dawson Devoy and Rossi before him, Markuss is an example of what we are trying to do at the club in bringing players through. We also gave a league debut to Josh Harpur off the bench on Friday as well, which was a proud moment for him and his family.
“We’ve seen what Josh can do scoring at U20 level here and for the Ireland U17s. We gave him a runout in the FAI Cup last year so this is the next step in his progression. Like Hugh Martin, Josh is still on 16 so he is still raw and still learning, but he has bags of potential and quality, so we were delighted to bring him on because he deserves opportunities to show what he can do.”
Tomorrow, Reynolds’ side take on a Shelbourne team who had gone through a rocky patch themselves – Friday’s impressive 2-1 win away to this season’s surprise package Dundalk bringing an end to a run of four league defeats in a row.
Reynolds said: “Shelbourne are a very good side with a great manager in Joey O’Brien. They were champions two years ago, finished ahead of us last season and strengthened considerably before the start of this season, which can mean it takes time for new players to settle.
“They’ll be coming here confident after winning up in Oriel Park but even the games before that, you could see the quality that they have. They have players who can punish any team so we have to be at the races and be confident in our own approach to the game.
“We need to give the fans something to shout about too. It’s a derby so we know our fans will be up for it but it’s hard to replicate a Friday night atmosphere on a Monday afternoon, so we all have a part to play.
“The supporters got behind us in the second half on Friday when we were on the front foot, so we need to be on the front foot from the off and make home advantage count for something.”
Team news
Bohemians are without Jordan Flores (ankle).
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