Bray Wanderers – Sligo Rovers Preview: Robertson hoping for attacking performance

By Daire Walsh

The Bit o’ Red manager has praised his side’s defending, but feels they need to improve up front to pick up their first win

Sligo Rovers boss Dave Robertson believes his side must make their chances count when they meet fellow winless side Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

The Bit o’ Red have been solid defensively, but Robertson blames a lack of precision in attack for his side’s slow start to the season.

“The one key focus is to make sure we convert our opportunities in the game,” Robertson told the club’s official website.

“If we do that, we give ourselves a real chance. Defensively we have been really solid. Now when we are attacking and driving forward, we need to make sure we make it count.”

With Phil Roberts back from suspension (arising from the red card he picked up against Galway United on March 14), the visitors are expected to have a fully-fit squad to choose from in the north Wicklow venue.

Bray Wanderers will be hoping to build on their encouraging midweek EA Sports Cup success away to UCD. With just one point from four outings, Mick Cooke’s Seagulls find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table.

Speaking in the direct aftermath of their 1-1 stalemate with Longford Town on March 19, Cooke felt that their inability to convert chances means they are still without a win heading into their third home encounter of the campaign.

“More than welcome to get a point on the board, but I felt overall we were the better side. We dominated for long periods. Obviously didn’t take our chances, but an unfortunate goal to give away,” Cooke told RTE’s Soccer Republic.

With a total of 17 players used in the last two games, Wanderers should be close to full-strength – as they aim to replicate their 1-0 triumph in the corresponding fixture last season.