‘The answer is not signing three or four players, it’s getting our own players back fit’ – Rovers boss Stephen Bradley won’t panic

A defeat to Sligo Rovers last week left the champions 15 points behind leaders Shelbourne, they are also three points behind third-placed Waterford and it will take a massive push – and a winning run in the remaining league games – to retain their league title.

Since the transfer window opened on Monday only three clubs have not made a new signing (Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers and Waterford) but Bradley insists that the squad he has, with players returning from injury, have what it takes.

"Speaking to the club, all I am looking for is to get the players back, it's not about trying to overhaul things or bring in four players, it's about making sure that we get our players back fit, back on the pitch.

"If we do that I know what we have in the group, that's where the focus is," Bradley said today ahead of Thursday’s game against Dundalk at Tallaght Stadium, the Hoops’ first home game after three successive away fixtures.

“I have said in my time here, if something becomes available that will make us better and improves us I will bring it to the board but the answer is not signing three or four players, it's getting our own players back fit.

Today's Sports News in 90 Seconds - 3rd July

"We are always looking, be that after the first league game, be it for down the road, you are in contact with agents and clubs about players, always looking. We have never just gone and signed players and I don't see why we should do that now. I understand our position and all of that, it's about getting our players back, if someone is available who will improve us but my main focus is not on that now.

"Where we are now has not been good enough, that's clear to see. That's obvious. If you say sit down and assess us to this point in the season it's been nowhere near good enough, hence the points difference.

"But I have been in enough league campaigns as a manager to understand that you take care of what's in front of you. If the gap remains 15 points that's what it is but I know if we perform to our levels, get back to what we can do, it won't be that and while we still have a chance to go and win something, we will do everything possible.

"Can we? I don't know, but we won't do it thinking about the end result, we can give ourselves a chance to do something by getting back to what we do and that starts with Dundalk. We have lost games where we've been good, Shelbourne at home, we should have won the game but Sligo on Friday was miles away from where we can be.”

Galway United boss John Caulfield stated after his side’s loss to Shelbourne last week that the Championship was now a two-horse race between the top two of Shels and Derry City.

“I don't mind what people say or feel. They are both so far ahead, you have to see the view on that but I know if we get back to what we do starting tomorrow night, come November if it's enough it's enough, if it's not, it's not. The league table never lies, very rarely do you look at a league table and think it's an unfair position, where we end up in November is where we end up,” Bradley said.

The Hoops’ squad position improved last week as Aaron McEneff, Sean Hoare, Trevor Clarke and Gary O'Neill all returned after absences due to injury, and Darragh Burns and Dan Cleary rejoin the squad for this week’s clash with bogey side Dundalk, while Seán Kavanagh and Neil Farrguia should be fit for Champions League duty next week.