Friendlies out of the way for a while, we're back to the important stuff now. Here's what you should be looking out for in week 11 of the SSE Airtricity League;
1) Can Peter Hutton get Derry City moving?
Roddy Collins is gone. He may have gone down fighting but he's been replaced by local legend Peter Hutton. The last time Hutton took the reins after a short-lived management spell by a Dubliner, he didn't exactly rip up trees. When Pat Fenlon was mutually consented away from the job in May 2007, Hutton was manager for 6 games. Derry won only one of them. He was player/coach at the time and has since gone on to manage Finn Harps (without much success). He doesn't have an easy start tonight as Derry make the long journey south to face Cork City looking for their first win in 4. Derry have yet to win away from home (in the league) but would probably settle for some attacking football and a point tonight.
2) Can Pats stay on top?
The Champions St Pats went top for the first time last weekend but they know that any slip up to UCD will allow Shamrock Rovers or Dundalk to leapfrog them. UCD have always been seen as a bit of a bogey side for Pats but the Saints have won the last 6 meetings between the sides, scoring 21 goals in that period. When the sides met earlier in the season, it took an injury time winner from Christy Fagan to complete a lack comeback 3-2 win for the Champions and goals are likely again tonight. There has been at least 4 goals scored in each of the last 5 league games for Pats.
3) Can Athlone Town shock Shamrock Rovers?
Athlone Town are unbeaten in 20 days of League of Ireland football. It doesn't really matter that they've only played one game in that period, or that they haven't scored in the last 3 games. What matters is that they've god rid of that all important zero in the points column. They travel to Tallaght on Saturday more in hope than expectation but at least now, they do have hope. Rovers will be looking for an easy win to keep pressure on Pats and Dundalk at the top of the table. If they win, and Pats don't, they'll be top.
4) Will Sligo Rovers confirm they're back by breaking down Bray Wanderers?
After a sticky start Sligo Rovers are unbeaten in 6 league games and last week captured the Setanta Sports Cup. They've scored 8 goals in their 3 home games in that period. After winning their league opener, Sligo's blip was started by a 1-0 defeat away to Bray Wanderers. Bray have had their own up and downs since then but they're definitely heading in the right direction now. 19 year old goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness has started 8 games for the Seagulls and kept a remarkable 5 clean sheets so far. It won't be easy for Sligo to pick up the points they need to get back into the title race.
5) Can Dundalk bounce back from Setanta Cup disappointment in Limerick?
Dundalk lost the Setanta Cup final last week and remain without a major trophy since 2002's FAI Cup win. They travel to Limerick tonight looking to put that disappointment behind them. Limerick were the only side Dundalk didn't beat last year (including a 3-2 win for the Blues in the only game in Thomond Park). This year's game saw Dundalk come from behind to claim all 3 points but there's no danger of Dundalk taking them lightly, despite their 2nd from bottom league position.
Whatever happens, enjoy the games!
