Stephen Bradley spoke to shamrockrovers.ie before Friday’s final League game of the season. The match is now SOLD OUT. coverage on the RTE News Channel and LOITV.
Sunday’s 1-0 win over Dundalk in Oriel Park takes the title race to the final day. It was a hard-fought but deserved and massive three points.
“I thought we were poor in the first half to be honest. We didn’t start the game well, we were slow and sloppy in all we were doing, so we could have been behind in the first half. But second half the players responded really well and we won the game and deservedly so given that second half performance.”
We knew Dundalk would provide stern opposition despite their relegation. Did the difficult weather conditions also prove a leveller, more so in the first half when they had some chances before we upped our levels second half?
“It’s always the pitch. It’s such a problem there, it changes the game. It slows the game down, the bounce of the ball, it changes everything about it. That’s always the problem up there. It looks and feels a completely different game because of it. So I think that had more to do with our first half, it took a bit of getting used to. We knew Dundalk would play with a freedom and a fight as they were down, they’re proud and have players who play with pride and we knew that would be the case. But as I said, second half we managed the pitch and conditions alot better.”
Dylan Watts proved the matchwinner in Dundalk as he did the week before in Drogheda. His rich vein of form has seen him nominated for the league’s Player of the Year. How good has he been?
“I’ve said it a number of times and people might say I’m biased, but I think he’s been the best in the country by a mile. I don’t think anyone has been near him and that’s no disrespect to Michael Duffy or Padraig Amond who are also nominated. Padraig has been the best forward domestically we’ve faced all season and Michael has real ability, we know that, but I think Dylan has been on a different level to everyone this year. He’s played at a really high level.”
So Waterford come to Tallaght for the last League game of the season. Is it easier for the team in approaching the game knowing nothing less than a win will do if we want to end up as champions?
“To be fair, that’s how we always approach it. We never go into a game, especially domestically, think we’ll play for a draw or hold out. We go to win every game. Obviously this is the final game and we know we have to win, it’s as simple as that, so I’m sure that’ll give us some more energy and everything else that comes with that. But our aim will be as it always is, to try and win the game.”
How important is it to have that battle-hardened, winning experience in the group, not to mention confidence with three successive wins and clean sheets in our last three games?
“These players have built up experience throughout the years to know it’s just the next game. Winning the next game, the next challenge, so that’s what this is. Confidence is high, the players are in a good place, so we’ll do everything possible to win the game.”
While Waterford’s form hasn’t been good recently, they beat us 3-1 in Tallaght already this season and are a very dangerous proposition if we’re off our levels.
“Yes they are. They’ve beaten us comfortably in Tallaght and gave us difficult games in Waterford, they’ve got good players, that’s obvious to see. I know their results haven’t been what they wanted recently but if you watch their games back, their performances have been good. So I’ve no doubt they’ll come to Tallaght tomorrow night with all eyes on trying to win the game. So we’ve got to be at it, if we’re not at our levels, it doesn’t matter what happens anywhere else. We have to perform to win the game.”
It’s a sold out Tallaght Stadium for the game. The support the team has had this season has been remarkable. The lads will thrive on a large crowd urging them on.
“Yes they will. The bigger the occasion and game, the bigger the crowd, these players love it and rise to it so I’ve no doubt tomorrow will be no different.”
Rory Gaffney remains out injured, Dan Cleary is suspended, are Seán Kavanagh and Seán Hoare back and what’s the situation with Danny Mandroiu who limped off against Dundalk?
“Seán Hoare remains out, Seán Kavanagh is back and we’ll check on Danny today. Other than that everyone is ok.”
