Alan Reynolds wants his Bohemians players to look forward but knows they don’t have to look too far back to know how hard they will have to work to get the desired result against Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park tomorrow.
Bohs come into the game on the back of a brilliant performance in their 2-1 win against Drogheda United last week.
That scoreline perhaps flattered Drogs, but most importantly it was Bohs’ second win in a row, their first home win since March 13, extended their unbeaten run to four and kept them third in the table.
Reynolds: “After getting back to winning ways a week before away to Dundalk, it was important that we asserted ourselves last week against Drogheda and made sure that wasn’t a flash in the pan.
“I think we did that – our performance last week was probably one of our best all season. We were in control for probably 85 minutes of the 90, and it was great to win at home again because it had been too long.
“We enjoyed the win the week previous against Dundalk because it was a real monkey off our back – we needed to get back winning. But the performance probably wasn’t as good as some of the performances we’d had in the run where we couldn’t buy a win!
“The Drogheda game was different, we looked really assured and played with real purpose. We had one scare in the first half where we needed Cian Byrne to perform heroics clearing the ball off the line and Drogheda pulled one back towards the end but overall we were excellent and played some really good football.
“We really dominated a lot of possession, created loads of chances, and worked their keeper, who was probably their man of the match.
“There were some standout performances too. It was a great goal by Dayle Rooney in particular and you could see how much it meant to him to be able to celebrate in front of the fans in Dalymount again.
“It was an important header from Pat Hickey too for the second, something we need from him, particularly against sides who can be hard to break down. It was another two assists for Markuss Strods too, and he is really thriving at the minute and causing teams no end of problems.
“Dawson Devoy led by example as ever but we also had Sadou Diallo having one of his best games for the club as well, the link-up play and understanding between Dawson and Diallo was different class at times.
“He didn’t get on the scoresheet but some of Douglas James-Taylor’s play was fantastic as well, so overall there was a lot to be pleased about the performance as well as the result.
“But obviously the most important thing is that those two wins made it four games unbeaten, which is a different complexion to the run we were on previously. We need to follow that up again – take confidence from that, grow in stature and confidence, and kick on now.”
Mood in the camp got a further boost with confirmation of captain Dawson Devoy’s inclusion in the Ireland squad.
The 24-year-old will link up with Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad next Saturday, and will be available for all three of Bohs’ league fixtures between now and then.
The first of those sees Reynolds’ side travel to Eamonn Deacy Park tomorrow to take on John Caulfield’s Galway United.
Reynolds said: “We know that won’t be easy. Galway United beat us twice last season and are an extremely tough team to break down – it took a set-piece at the death to beat them in Dalymount this season.
“They’re coming into the game in real confidence too after a big win in their derby against Sligo last week. But we’re confident too, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Team news
Bohemians are without Sam Todd (hamstring) and Senan Mullen (hamstring).
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