Alan Reynolds says his Bohemians side are enjoying the winning feeling they have been experiencing over the past month but know they can’t take their foot off the gas if they want it to continue.
It was another late, late show for Bohs on the Bank Holiday Monday earlier this week to seal all three points away to Galway United as centre-back SĂ©an Grehan was the hero this time to grab the winner with his second goal of the game.
Having pressed so hard to get a leveller against Waterford United three days earlier to no avail, it was a relief for Bohs but no more than they deserved after a bolshy second half performance at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Reynolds said: “I think people can see we have players now playing with confidence, players who are thriving under the support they are receiving from the stands, and who are absolutely buzzing with some of the scenes we have enjoyed over the past few weeks.
“We were so frustrated not to get anything out of the game against Waterford on Friday after dominating the game in periods but the fans knew the players gave everything of themselves and applauded them off the pitch at the end of the game, which really helped maintain their confidence.
“I think our supporters have seen what these lads are capable of and know the players were as frustrated as they were that they couldn’t get the result over the line on Friday.
“It would have been the first time the club won four games in over two years so we were all kicking ourselves over the weekend that we left those points behind us but we dusted ourselves down and got on with the job in Galway.”
And get on with the job they did, as Bohs came from behind with Grehan heading home the equaliser in the 59th minute and rising highest once more in the seventh minute of injury-time, leading to more scenes of delirium among the 500-strong Bohs travelling contingent.
That last-gasp winner came on the back of winning goals last month against Cork City, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic that came in the 85th, 96th and 97th minutes respectively.
Reynolds said: “I keep saying we can’t keep leaving it so late as our luck will run out. It ran out against Waterford, two poor goals to concede left us with a mountain to climb.
“But we changed things around a little in Galway when we were behind at half-time and once again I think people saw that this is a team that has character and drive in spades.
“The scenes at the end again were special, that’s what we’re all in football for, and my hope and belief now is that the players really have a taste for victory after the month we have had and that they will do everything to keep it going.
“I’ve said before that there will be bumps on the road – Waterford was one of those – but the lads are giving absolutely everything of themselves to keep pushing standards on, to keep getting points on the board, and there is a belief there in what we are trying to do.”
Another large travelling Bohs contingent is expected in The Showgrounds on Saturday evening when Reynolds’ men take on Sligo Rovers.
John Russell’s Bit O’Red are currently bottom of the table, three points off Cork City who occupy the play-off spot.
Reynolds added: “We’ve seen this season how tight this league and how a couple of wins can transform people’s outlook. That’s no different for Sligo Rovers. They are a good side who haven’t had the start to the season they wanted but it’s still very early days.
“They are scrapping to get out of the position they are in and will have catching Cork City in their sights as their first target, so we’re going down there knowing we have to be at our very best.
“Every single point we have got in this league has been hard fought for, so we can’t take our foot off the gas.
“This has been a crazy season so far where the cliche of every team being capable of beating anyone is actually playing out, so our standards and concentration has to be at their very best if we want to build again on Monday’s win.”
Team news
Bohemians are without Leigh Kavanagh (hamstring) and Alex Lacey (hamstring), while Connor Parsons (hamstring) and Liam Smith (groin) are rated 50-50.