In their head-to-heads, United have had the better of it. Since their return to the league, they have not lost to tomorrow’s opponents in six games, winning three of them.
Yet, they have had to look on enviously, as Drogheda won last season’s FAI Cup and battled at the top of the table earlier this season.
But the sides also have plenty in common. Both clubs have suffered recently in the transfer market, arguably victims of their own successes and circumstances.
More broadly, there has been a flurry of activity across the league since the transfer window opened on Tuesday.
Beneath United, Cork City and Sligo Rovers have strengthened. Sligo have lost Reece Hutchinson but announced the exciting additions of Ryan O’Kane and James McManus on loan deals.
More pressingly, tomorrow’s opponents have lost last season’s breakout star, Douglas James-Taylor to Bohemians. There are rumours too that Warren Davis is on the radar of English clubs.
Nothing concrete has been announced in Galway, but there is optimism around the signings of a couple of midfielders with relevant experience. Speaking after last Friday’s game, Ollie Horgan and John Caulfield were resigned to losing the league’s top scorer. But to date, no deal has been confirmed.
While much of the league’s focus is on managerial moves or the transfer merry-go-round, Drogheda have more quietly continued to be one of the stories of the season.
They have already amassed 35 points and have achieved their first objective of safety. It is not an achievement that should be underestimated.
It would seem fair to suggest that Drogheda's early scintillating form has somewhat levelled out. They have had two wins in their last 10 league games. With the loss of players, and potentially more, they are likely to find the second half of the season more difficult. Still ahead of Shels and Pats, they remain an outside bet for Europe despite sitting in fourth.
European spots still in sight
Galway United still harbour hopes of catching them. It could be argued that they had reached their ceiling if they do, as the Dublin clubs and Derry are significantly ahead of the bottom five in terms of resources.
The trip to Sligo aside, it has been a good run for United. Like their opponents, they have two wins in 10, but since losing four-in-a-row, they have had two big wins and three creditable draws.
If we accept that Caulfield and Horgan will continue to over-perform in recruitment, then the lack of cover in midfield should be addressed shortly. What will be much more difficult, is replacing Moses Dyer.
United fans will have been delighted to see Stephen Walsh get 90 minutes last Friday. He put in a typically robust performance, but goals continue to elude him.
Malcolm Shaw showed more promise and was close again a couple of times. Management have spoken about his signing being made in anticipation of losing Dyer. It will be a difficult act to follow, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that the Kiwi didn’t find the net until his fifth game. A goal for Shaw would be invaluable and it feels like it is coming.
United know that they will get nothing easy in Drogheda against a team that will be motivated to turn the tables on recent form.
