Sligo Rovers manager Ger Lyttle is adamant his future is secure despite what has been a disappointing season to date for the Bit O'Red. Sligo sit one spot above the play-off position by virtue of a superior goal difference and have only managed two
Sligo Rovers manager Ger Lyttle is adamant his future is secure despite what has been a disappointing season to date for the Bit O'Red.
Sligo sit one spot above the play-off position by virtue of a superior goal difference and have only managed two wins in their last ten league outings. Both those victories came against Limerick and Bray, the only two sides currently below Rovers in the league table.
Lyttle's side now face into what could be a season-defining clash with the Shannonsiders this Friday with both teams level on 16 points a piece. The Blues will be buoyed by their surprise win over Waterford on Friday, while Sligo failed to register a single shot on target in their drab stalemate with Shamrock Rovers on Saturday.
Just over 1,500 supporters turned up to the 'Clash of the Rovers', what is traditionally one of the biggest gates of the Showgrounds calendar. A number of under-par showings from Rovers has resulted in a certain amount of unrest amongst supporters but the Belfast man is adamant he is best placed to steer the Sligo ship.
"My future is fine", Lyttle assures. "The media for whatever reason seem to prey on negativity. We have a young team and we're trying to build a decent squad. We'll look at having hopefully a good window. I have the full backing of my board and I will continue to work as hard as I can for this club. I love the club, the supporters and the people around the club and what they believe in. All I'll do is keep working until I'm told otherwise."
Sligo's only chance of Saturday's game came just past the half hour when the busy Lewis Morrison missed the target whilst one-on-one with Hoops keeper Tomer Chencinski, having done well to hold off the last Shamrock Rovers defender.
Lyttle acknowledges his side must improve in front of goal but points out that a point against Stephen Bradley's men is a valuable one.
"In terms of passion and getting into tackles I thought from early doors it was two teams trying to win the game", he continues.
"Obviously we haven't created an awful lot of chances but there was great effort there from the boys. I thought they showed great commitment and desire. We've played against a good team who are in a false position. They can play good football and pick you off. They battered Cork City a few weeks ago. We've held one of the top end teams so hopefully we will build on that.
"I'll not try and dress it up any other way. We've been saying it for a while. We need to create more chances and when we create those chances, we need to take them. We had chances against St Pat's and we didn't take them. Tonight, we haven't created much but we've come up against a back five and that can be tough to break down. Yes, we could have created more but I'm happy with the point."
Looking ahead to what is a crucial game for both sides on Friday, Lyttle says the competitive nature of the Premier Division means there are no assumptions or preconceptions.
He adds: "Limerick will be tough. They're all tough. In some leagues, you'll have games where you're guaranteed wins in certain weeks and you look at certain games and think 'well, we'll win that one'. This league doesn't give you that and it's unforgiving at times. It's a difficult ten team league so it's important you continue to keep picking up points along the way."
