Alan Reynolds says Bohemians need to be up for the fight of their lives when they travel to take on Derry City at the Brandywell.
It will be the third meeting of the sides this season, with Derry claiming a 1-0 win in February with Bohs doing likewise in May.
Bohs come into the game having scored 10 goals across their past two games – a 3-0 league win over Galway United and a 7-0 victory against Killester-Donnycarney in the FAI Cup.
But Reynolds has warned his side that they will need to move up the gears once more to get a result against third-placed Derry, who are just one point behind Bohs in the table.
Reynolds said: “This is a massive game for both teams. There’s nothing between us in the table at the moment and we’ve played Derry twice this season and there has been very little between the sides on the pitch either.
“When we played them in the Brandywell at the start of the season, it was an awful night for football that was decided by a free-kick. When we played them in Dalymount a couple of months ago, we started the game really well and got an early penalty. It was a good performance from us though and we were probably a bit disappointed not to get another.
“But ultimately over the course of the two games, it was one game decided by a free-kick and the other by a penalty.
“I think it goes without saying that Derry are a formidable outfit. They brought in a lot of experience at the start of the season and Tiernan Lynch has put his own stamp on things over the past few months.
“We know how good they can be. We were on the front foot when we played them in Dalymount but playing at the Brandywell is always difficult for any away team. We know going up there that you have to be ready for the fight of your lives.
“Obviously they lost their last league game away to Sligo Rovers but before that they had won four games in a row. That included big wins away to St Pat’s and Shels as well as putting seven past Waterford so anything we get in the Brandywell will have had to earn through hard graft.
“But our confidence is good. There were plenty of games this season and last where we left points behind us because we didn’t take our chances, so to score three against Galway and seven in the cup game was obviously pleasing.
“Derry are a well organised team who don’t cough up many chances, so whatever chances we do get, we have to maintain the ruthless streak we’ve shown over the past couple of games in front of goal. Our players know that, we have prepared well and we’re going up there looking forward to the challenge.”
As well as Markuss Strods celebrating being rewarded with a new contract by making his first senior start and bagging his first goals, Reynolds was pleased that last week’s FAI Cup game provided an opportunity for other academy prospects to sample first-team football for the first time in front of a big crowd at Dalymount Park.
Christopher Conlan, Josh Harpur and Declan Osagie all made their senior debuts off the bench.
Reynolds added: “We started a strong team, and we felt that it was the right time to give Markuss his first start and he paid us back with the two goals, so it was a special week for him playing and scoring in Dalymount after signing his new contract.
“It also allowed us to start some of the lads who’ve had to bide their time over the past while or have been more often coming off the bench, and it was great obviously to see Colm Whelan back on the scoresheet and collecting the match-ball again, and JT back in goal and getting a clean sheet. It was important too for Connor Parsons to get himself back up and running again after the injuries he’s had.
“But it was particularly pleasing that the scoreline allowed us to change things around in the second half and give debuts to Chris, Josh and Declan. Your first game in Dalymount is always going to be a bit daunting for any young player so it was a good way to be able to bring them into the team and give them a taste of it.
“We have some very talented young players coming through at the club and experiences like last week are important for their development and will hopefully stand to them.”
Team news
Bohemians are without Alex Lacey (hamstring) and Archie Meekison (hamstring).