Derry City vs. Bohemians - 'We'll be ready for the fight!'

Derry City vs. Drogheda United

Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Tonight, 7pm

Shane McEleney believes that Derry City’s poor form at home is down to the players themselves and not the Brandywell.

The Candystripes head into tonight’s game against Bohemians hoping to get back on track after a disappointing loss to 10-man Drogheda United on Friday night. While it was City’s first defeat of the season, it was the third time in four weeks that Derry City dropped points at home after draws against Dundalk and Sligo Rovers.

Last season, Derry City dropped 23 points at home, and they have now dropped seven in three games, but McEleney dismissed suggestions that the Brandywell itself was at fault for that poor record.

"I think it's not down to the Brandywell as such, I think it's down to us as a group," he insisted. "I feel we need to have more conviction whenever we get into the final third, myself included. Whenever the pass is on to be played, I think we just need to have a calm, cool head.

"In saying that in recent games against Dundalk and Sligo I think we've had the better chances in the games, but we just didn't capitalise on it, but hopefully come Monday, we can turn things around.”

There is plenty of anticipation ahead of tonight’s game due to the return of former player and manager Declan Devine for a top of the table clash between first and second in the Premier Division. McEleney is in no doubt that another challenging evening lies ahead.

"It's going to be a tough game against Bohs as they are a good side, but we'll be ready for the fight and hopefully we can add a few goals to our tally,” he said.

"I know I say this every week, but there's no easy games in this league, whether it's home or away. Teams are organised and fit and that's the big thing from whenever I played in the league years ago, every team is fit and at it and if you aren't in a certain evening, like tonight, then it can go against you.

 "I can't remember Drogheda having any real clear-cut chances in the game, apart from their goal, but look we've lost a game of football.

 "We came in on Saturday morning regrouped and because the Bohs game comes really fast, we have to look forward to it.”

Higgins hopeful of reaction

Ruaidhri Higgins meanwhile, is hoping to see a reaction from his players after such a disappointing performance against Drogheda.

The City boss is well aware of the poor home form, but is backing his players to put it behind them for what will be the biggest game at the Brandywell so far this season.

"It's a dig in the ribs but we have an opportunity now on Monday to put it right which is great,” he stated. “It should be a really good atmosphere in the ground and hopefully we can serve up something a bit better than that

"You're never happy losing matches especially in the manner we lost (on Friday). You can take plaudits and pats on the back when you do well and win games but you also have to take criticism when you don't win games that you should.

“We need to be more forceful and really grab the game by the scruff of the neck in key moments and tonight we were disappointing from that end. It's definitely a backward step but every negative you can change to a positive and hopefully we can do that on Monday."

Higgins comes face to face with the man he replaced as Derry City manager tonight, but he believes the three points on offer is ore important for both he and Declan Devine.

“Declan (Devine) coming back is probably not in any of our minds, his or mine,” he said. “It's Bohemians against Derry and we need to put in a big performance and right the wrongs from tonight.

“You're concerned every time you lose a game or drop points. It's disappointing our home form but I don't want to get caught up in it. We'll start winning games at home soon and hopefully that's on Monday night.”