League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Athlone Town

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Sat, Mar 08 2014




SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo get their 2014 season campaign underway on Saturday night when they host Mick Cooke's Athlone Town. Sligo slumped to a competitive defeat when they were beaten by Pats in the inaugural President’s Cup last Sunday afternoon.

 

In injury news Ian Baraclough will have to plan without the services of Kieran Djilali and Ross Gaynor who have knee and hamstring injuries respectively. Although both players are back training from their injury lay offs they will be rested until they have once again secured full fitness.

 

Gavin Peers is still out with a long term knee injury whilst Danny North must serve his one game suspension that has carried over from last season but in more positive news Sean Maguire is available for selection having recovered in time for the Saturday evening kick-off.

 

Ian Baraclough spoke in his pre-game notes of how excited he was to finally get the new season underway.

 

“I explained to the players this week that I will mix and match team selections. I read this week about Burnley in the Championship where their manager Sean Dyche has chosen the same team for seven games in-a-row. It is so rare to hear that these days compared to 15 years ago when it was a lot more normal. The players all have their part to play.

 

“It is looking like there will be a great atmosphere on Saturday amongst our support and they can play their part as well. We need them behind us and not to wait for things to happen. The Showgrounds should be a place that every team fears and does not relish visiting.


“Athlone and their supporters will be excited about their return to the top flight – the onus is on to make the start that we feel we can do.” 

 

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone supporters have been waiting for the 8th Of March for many months but the day has finally arrived as they make their long awaited return to the Premier Division.

 

A lot has changed in the midlands since the curtain came down on the 2013 season most notably Mick Cooke who has taken over the reigns from Roddy Collins.

 

The former Drogheda United manager was delighted that he will be the man to lead the club for the coming season.

 

"This is a wonderful time for the club and the fans. The players are really up for the game and most definitely looking forward to it. Athlone’s support last season was excellent especially away from home and the players are still talking about it being the 13^th man so if they can continue  where they left off  in the last season they can again make the difference where all teams will be fighting for points week in week out.

 

"We have to be defensively sound and patient in the quest for goals. But with a very good pre-season behind us we know that we are in this division to compete and not just here to make up the numbers.”

 

There are some absentees for the manager to have to deal with. Barry Clancy and Derek Prendergast are both forced to miss the game through suspension. The bad news doesn't stop there as Alan Byrne has been ruled out with an ankle injury along with James O'Brien who has contracted the flu.

 

Referee: Rob Rogers

 

MATCH STATS

Sligo have gone nine games unbeaten at the Showgrounds. This is a run which stretches back the Champions League defeat against Molde.

 

It has been three years since Sligo last fell at the hands of a newly promoted club. That defeat came back in 2010 against Sporting Fingal when they were beaten 1-0 in the Showgrounds.

 

The teams have played each other 27 times. Athlone Town have won five of those games whilst Sligo Rovers have emerged victorious on nine occasions.

 

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 4/11 Draw 10/3 Athlone Town 15/2

 

PREDICTION

Sligo with a 3-1 victory

 

Sligo Rovers Injury News: Ross Gaynor (hamstring), Kieran Djilali (knee), Gavin Peers (knee)

Sligo Rovers Suspension News: Danny North

 

Athlone Town Injury News: Alan Byrne (ankle), James O'Brien (flu)

Athlone Town Suspension News: Derek Prendergast, Barry Clancy