Friday 16/02/2024: G1. Bohs v Sligo Rovers FC. 7.45PM

Sligo played their last preseason game this afternoon against Finn Harps in Ballybofey. They were beaten 2-1. Earlier in the week, they played a 1-1 draw against Galway and last Saturday, they were beaten 2-1 by Waterford, in a game played in Abbotstown, Dublin. So, that leaves them with some concerns, going into their game against Bohs, next Friday. The team which played the last three friendly games is close to the team who started today, so we can expect a similar line up in Dalymount.



From a Bohs perspective, this Sligo game can be counted as one of our best chances to get all three points, in our opening game. Having said that, who knows what will happen when the whistle blows for kick off next week. I think that our team does not pick itself and there are many permutations which Devine could choose to line out in the next few weeks. He did plenty of ‘tinkering’ around with the team last season, so I expect the same this season, especially with the three Estonians, having just arrived, relatively recently.

I like that starting lineup as well.

However, let’s face it, how do we know whether these Estonian chaps will live up to their billing. We have to assume that they are decent footballers. Flora Tallin are a strong side and beat SRFC recently enough in both legs of their European tie. Miller appears to be a mainstay on the Estonian International team and knows where the goal is. I have always maintained that the League of Ireland is a tough physical league which will find out slouchers and footballers without commitment. We shall find out soon enough how prepared these Estonian players are for the battles that lie ahead.

Sligo are no great shakes, in my opinion and I would expect us to get a win tomorrow night or a draw at the least. A defeat will be an early sign that we could be in real trouble this season. It might be only one game but I have real reservations about Devine and his back room team. I get the impression that he wants to be everyone’s friend and is surrounded by Yes men, a lethal combination in a tough League. We should have qualified for Europe last season, 4th place was ours for the taking and he bottled it. Playing Bucko, (our midfield maestro) and Flores as our two full backs was so wrong but he persisted in it till the mistake hit him in the face and by then it turned out to be too late. Our two Central Defenders did their best but were not good defenders, were they?

So, that’s it. Moan over. Devine should have been ousted for last season’s debacle but he is still here. I seen enough to say that he has not got what it takes. He’ll run the team ragged before kick off, like he did all last season. There is warming up a team prior to a game and there is what we have to watch prior to every game. 

As I say, a win tomorrow night will be a great start and we can see where we go from there. Anything less against an ordinary Sligo team and we will have to see how we fare in the games ahead. We really do need to hit the ground running. Come on Bohs!