When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Or at least that is what Stephen Bradley wants from his Shamrock Rovers players. The Hoops boss is fully aware that the rhythm of a game may not always go to plan, but that doesn't mean his team should
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Or at least that is what Stephen Bradley wants from his Shamrock Rovers players.
The Hoops boss is fully aware that the rhythm of a game may not always go to plan, but that doesn't mean his team should abandon their initial approach. In fact, he wants them to persist with it.
It was that kind of belief that helped Rovers claim a 1-0 victory over St Patrick's Athletic as the only goal of the game arrived very late and off visiting defender Kevin Toner.
“When you cross the ball, things happen in the box,” said Bradley afterwards.
“It’s a big win for us. It’s a Dublin derby. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the Bohs one but the Pat’s one is just as big for us and last year, we didn’t perform to our levels against them. We wanted it to put it right and we did.
“We played well to be fair. It was frustrating at times because they sat in, and just tried to keep it tight. We moved the ball a bit slow in the first half. Second half we moved it quicker and looked a lot better.”
"I thought we were the team that were pushing on, trying to create openings. We didn’t care if it’s the 77th minute or the 87th minute. Keep believing and keep working and it will come.”
Rovers remain unbeaten in four home league games so far this term and Bradley wants to build a ‘fortress’ at Tallaght Stadium.
“We’re making teams come and not like playing against us. That takes a lot of hard work and all credit to the lads," he said.
