Duff relishing return to action in Sligo tomorrow | OneFootball

The League of Ireland Champions Shelbourne FC return to action after the international break with a tricky trip to the Showgrounds to face Sligo Rovers.

The Reds boss Damien Duff delivered a squad update to ShelbourneFC.ie on Thursday evening: “Tyreke Wilson, Sam Bone, and Daniel Kelly are making progress on their injuries. We’ve a few lads carrying knocks, and we’ll give them every chance to prove their fitness tomorrow.”

The international break came at a good time for the Reds who could regroup after a loss to Drogheda and draw at home to Cork City

“The lads have had a good two weeks of training. We’re all bitterly disappointed to come away with just one point from the two games at home. The only thing I’m really disappointed with is the 45 minutes against Cork and a few individual mistakes. Outside of that, I’m happy with the performances. It’s fine lines and small margins in this league, when we looked back over the games there was lots of good stuff, we’re playing well but not picking up points. Last year, we didn’t play as well but still got results early in the year, we’ve been on the wrong side of tight games in recent weeks, that’s something we’re keen to put right.”

Duff was happy with the response to recent results in training and felt the players looked sharp in recent sessions:

“The break did come at a good time. Sometimes we’ve wanted a break, sometimes we haven’t over the last four years but this one came when we didn’t have momentum. It was a good chance for everyone to reset, reflect, and have a proper look at ourselves. Out of the six games, in five and a half of them we should have had more points. We don’t, so we won’t feel good about that, but we have a chance to address that starting tomorrow in Sligo.”

Sligo Rovers begin the night in 10th place, but Duff won’t be fooled by their position and knows they are a team full of quality as they prepare for a rare Friday night home game at the Showgrounds:

“No, that’s not how the league works. In games they’ve lost, their expected goals have been the highest they’ve ever had, they’re a very dangerous proposition, regardless of their league position. They’ve got a lot of ability and quality that deserves respect.

As for playing on Fridays or Saturdays, it doesn’t change your training week, it doesn’t affect the week after. Whether it’s Friday or Saturday, we prepare the same.”

A win could take the Champions top of the table, depending on results elsewhere, Duff reckons results will continue to be unpredictable around the League of Ireland as every team has the capacity to beat the other:

“I don’t think it’ll change any time soon. People were shocked by results last year, and maybe by a few at the start of this season too. But that’s starting to wear thin, people are starting to realise there are no shocks in this league. When it comes to Shelbourne FC, we have to look after ourselves, that can be our focus, and we know if we get our performance right, the results will follow.”