Alan Reynolds says his players need to roll up their sleeves and be ready for a real battle if they are to make it third time lucky against Drogheda United.
Kevin Doherty’s side are the visitors for another sold-out game at Dalymount Park with Reynolds’ men determined to make amends for the two defeats Drogs have inflicted on them this season.
Reynolds said: “Drogheda are the only team we haven’t taken any points off this season so we know how big a game this is going to be. It’s a huge game.
“I think some people disrespect Drogheda but I certainly don’t. They are one of the best organised teams in the league so this is going to be a battle, so we need to roll up our sleeves and be ready for it.
“We have found it difficult against them this season for a reason so we need everyone at their very best, and we can’t give Drogheda an inch.
“We were kicking ourselves the last time we played Drogheda so we don’t want to be in that position. We don’t want to leave anything behind us.
“That means we can’t let our concentration levels drop and we have to be clinical both in defence and in front of goal.”
It is second against fourth in Dalymount Park, with Bohs four points ahead of the visitors.
Bohs are unbeaten in five league games but Reynolds says his players are determined to kick on further.
Reynolds said: “We have worked very hard to give ourselves a great platform so far this season but when we look at other clubs in Europe this week, that has to be a reminder to everyone of where we want this club to be and where we as a group want to be.
“That means we can’t take our foot off the pedal. We have 11 games to go and we don’t want to leave any points behind us.
“We got a decent result up in Derry last week but we felt the performance could have been better and as a group we continue to strive to be better.
“We are in decent form, unbeaten in five games in the league, six if you include the cup, but there were three draws in that run too, which is frustrating as this is a determined group who go into every game wanting to win.
“The pleasing thing is the attitude of the players. After each of those draws, they have been kicking themselves.
“There is a real desire within this group to win, they don’t want to settle for draws. They want to push on, they want to improve and they don’t want pats on the back for drawing games.
“And that’s what I see in training every day, a real determination from players who are pushing each other to be brave and be better.
“We’re back in our home patch this week. It’s a massive game for both clubs and we want and need another big performance in front of our own fans.
“We need our fans to stick with us too because they’ll know from the games we’ve played against Drogheda this season just how tough they can be.
“In difficult games, the noise and the level of support we get in Dalymount can make all the difference.
“I’m repeating myself saying it every week but the support we have got over the past few months really does drive our players on and focuses the mind on who we’re representing and what we want to achieve.
“So my ask for the fans is the same as my ask of the players: Give it everything from the start until the final whistle.”
Team news
Douglas James-Taylor is back in contention to feature against his former club after missing last week’s game through illness, while Alex Lacey (hamstring) and Archie Meekison (hamstring) have both returned to full training.