“We’ve got to take the game to Dundalk”- Lopes
ROBERTO Lopes insists that Shamrock Rovers will have to take the game to Dundalk when they travel to Oriel Park to face the SSE Airtricity League leaders next Tuesday.
The Hoops defender believes positivity to their approach to this match will be a key factor in determining whether or not they return home with a result.
Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto Lopes
“It’s a big game” he stressed. “The last few encounters [with Dundalk] have proven to be a good spectacle and they’re good games to show where you are against the league leaders.
“We’ve got to take the game to them, because when you sit back against them they’ve shown that they can get in behind you. We have to be positive when we go there.
“Their passing and fitness levels are very good and we’ve got to match their work rate while at the same time play our own game.
“We can cause problems for them and we’re more than capable of beating them. We’ve just got to get the preparation right this week” he insisted.
Rovers were left licking their wounds after last Friday night’s derby defeat against arch-rivals Bohemians in Tallaght Stadium.
While Stephen Bradley’s outfit did have their chances, they were ultimately punished for not taking them when Eoghan Stokes struck in the 68th minute to see the visitors record their third win over the Hoops this season.
“It was very disappointing” said Lopes. “That performance is something we wouldn’t be happy with.
“It was a good opportunity for us to bounce back after losing to Drogheda in the [FAI] Cup, but the performance was not there” he sighed.
Looking back on a poor record against the Gypsies this season, he added “Games like that, it’s really not about quality. It’s about heart and desire, just the basics of football and we didn’t live up to that.
“It was a big lesson for the players and one they we’ll be taking into next season. You have to fight and scrap for the win at times.
“It’s one thing if you were cut open with a great pass or a bit of skill- that’s just being beaten by a good side. But when they out-muscle you and show more fight, that’s hard to take.”
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