Alan Reynolds’ message to Bohemians players and supporters is the same: We can’t take our foot off the pedal.
Bohs, in third place in the table, host Drogheda United at Dalymount Park on Friday night, three points off both leaders St Pat’s and second-placed Shamrock Rovers.
Stephen Kenny’s table-toppers have played a game more than Bohs and Rovers, but Reynolds says he is looking elsewhere – all everyone is focused on is their next game.
Reynolds said: “All we can do is focus on ourselves and always focus on our next game. We come into this one in good form and confidence.
“We have great belief in our group that we want to get even better, that there is more in us. We need to embrace that challenge and enjoy it. I feel the players have over the past couple of months but we need to keep it going.
“Obviously we don’t want to leave anything behind us between now and the end of the season – the only way you won’t do that is by channelling everything into your next game, and we’ll see where that takes us.
“This will be a really tough one. Drogheda under Kevin Doherty have always been formidable opponents. They are coming here on a great high as well after important wins over Sligo Rovers last week and away to Shelbourne on Monday night.”
While Reynolds’ feet are firmly on the ground, the manner of Bohs’ two most recent games – a penalty shootout win over St Pat’s in the FAI Cup a fortnight ago and a late league win last week in Galway after coming from 2-0 down – sparked jubilant scenes among the travelling fans.
Reynolds said: “They’re great games to be a part of and it’s important you enjoy those moments. Away to Pat’s in Inchicore, having played well, you go a goal down in extra time and then have your first penalty saves – to come through that to get through to the next round was a real rollercoaster.
“Away to Galway last Friday, again we made life difficult for ourselves. It might sound strange but I didn’t think there was a lot wrong with our overall performance, even at 2-0 down.
“The first goal we conceded was as good a finish as you will see at any level, my main criticism was that we should have prevented the cross in the first place. The second goal was bad miscommunication at the back and left us with a real mountain to climb, but overall our play was good.
“Obviously the belief in the team to come from 2-0 with 15 minutes to go to win 3-2 was pleasing. It shows the determination that there is in our group as well as the level of support we have had from our fans to drive us on as well. Nobody on the pitch or off it let their heads drop, and we pulled together to turn the game around.
“Neither of the last two games have been good for anyone’s blood pressure, so it would be nice to have a more comfortable victory!
“But we know that every game against Drogheda is always a real battle. They’re a very well organised team, are hard to break down and have players who can hurt you as well. We have to be at our very best right across the pitch to find a way to win.
“We have put ourselves in a good position but we know every game between now and the end of the season is going to be a real test of our character and mettle. We’ve risen to that challenge over the past couple of months but we can’t stop pushing ourselves.
“That goes for everyone in the stands as well. Home or away, our fans have had stadiums bouncing the last while so we need that to continue. None of us can take our foot off the pedal.
“The noise and buzz we have had behind us over recent months has really helped us over the line in tricky games that were in the balance, so we hope that our fans will get behind the lads again in the same way and they will do everything they can to repay that support.”
Team news
Bohemians are without Sam Todd (quad) once more but it is hoped he may feature in next week’s friendly against Bohemians Praha 1905.
Streaming
Tomorrow’s game will be shown live on Virgin Media and the Virgin Media Play App.
Main Match Sponsor: Winroy Interiors
Winroy Interiors Group are very proud to be the Main Match Sponsor. Founded in 1987 by Terry O’Sullivan, Winroy is a proud family-run Irish business headquartered in Clondalkin. While our hearts will be at Dalymount Park this evening, our core mission remains unchanged. For nearly 40 years, Winroy has been the trusted partner for organisations creating workplaces where people love to work.
Match Ball Sponsors
AM Estate Management
Dom Clarke
Doyle’s Corner
Ze Punctual Pints
Phoenix Credit Union