O’Brien Ready for Richmond Test After Sligo Stalemate | OneFootball

Shelbourne return to action tonight as they travel to Richmond Park to face St Patrick’s Athletic in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, looking to build on last week’s clean sheet against Sligo Rovers.

Joey O’Brien’s side were held to a 0-0 draw at Tolka Park, on a night where Shels dominated large parts of the game, controlled possession and created enough chances to win it.

While the Reds were disappointed not to take all three points, O’Brien felt there were positives to take, particularly defensively.

Speaking to ShelsTV after training at the AUL on Thrursday, O’Brien said: “Building on the clean sheet is the positive. It’s something we spoke about. It’s about stability. Everything comes from a clean sheet and we haven’t had enough of them.

“The performance last week, we dominated the game and controlled it against Sligo. Teams will come to Tolka and try not to get beat, so we have to find ways to break them down. The good thing is we’re creating plenty of chances. Ultimately, we were very disappointed not to take one and not win the game.

“But it’s gone now, so we look forward to playing Pats.”

The Reds have shown strong form away from home this season, and O’Brien believes that record shows the capacity within the group.

“On the road, we’re one of the best in the country results wise. It’s a mad thing when you look at the home record, which has been really poor. We’re not happy with it, but what we’re doing away from home shows our capacity and gives us that belief that we will put a run together at home.

“People have made a lot out of it, the form at home, but we know it will turn. For us now, it’s about tomorrow, stopping their threats, implementing our own style and creating problems for them.”

St Patrick’s Athletic come into the game in strong form, and O’Brien expects a very different type of contest to the one Shels faced against Sligo.

“Pats are flying. They’re a different animal. They won’t be trying to not lose the game. They’ll go toe to toe with us, and they’re always good games when we play, proper derby.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to bring our quality, create and convert those chances and make sure we come out the right side of it.”

The sides have already produced one dramatic meeting earlier in the season, with Shels fighting back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 before ultimately losing the game 3-2 late on.

O’Brien said there were lessons to take from that night, particularly from set plays.

“The game earlier in the season, we were 2-0 down, got it back to 2-2, and we should win that game, but we lose it.

“The big thing from that is they scored three set plays. The lads are aware of that. We need to stand up, step up and defend a lot better.

“There have been good aspects of our play, and hopefully we keep that going. But we know the set play side, we’ve given away some cheap goals, and that’s really hurt us, we need to cut that out, stop those errors, and build from there”

On the injury front, Jack Henry-Francis will be assessed closer to kick-off, while James Norris and Odhran Casey continue to work their way back. Milan Mbeng and Mipo are both close to returning having got back to full training in the last week.

O’Brien said: “Jack is the only new one. We’ll have to assess him closer to the game. He went off in Tolka. James and Odhran are working away. Milan and Mipo are close now back in training.”