The league has dubbed it 'Survival Saturday'. There is a significant amount of football to be played before the end of October, however the stakes are starting to pile up.
Galway United host Waterford in their final game in Pearse Stadium, while Sligo entertain Drogheda. Topping the mini-league at present, United can view this as a chance to create significant daylight between themselves and their rivals.
By Saturday night, United could be anything between four and 10 points off bottom. This gives an indication of the importance of the evening.
There should be some positivity in Salthill, with United winning three from three in their temporary home. They should expect their biggest crowd of the stint, given the importance of the game and a less congested sporting calendar to compete with.
They face the league’s form team in Waterford. Like Rovers and Pat’s, they have amassed 10 points in their last five games. This contrasts starkly with an 11-point haul from their opening 19 games. Waterford have already leapfrogged Sligo and will have their sights set on Drogheda next.
Their run would have been even more impressive had they held on late at home to Pat’s last time out in the league. Manager Graham Coughlan deserves huge credit for turning the tide in the south-east. Impressively, he has done so with the same group he inherited. No new signings played any part against Pat’s and their business has been slow to date.
United will know therefore what they are up against. Conan Noonan, Pádraig Amond and Tom Lonergan will be in their thoughts as they prepare. Happily, so will Kris Twardek and Francely Lomboto who both played against Crumlin United in the 4-0 win in the cup. They significantly strengthen John Caulfield’s attacking options.
Dylan Connolly tasted more game time while Leigh Kavanagh impressed in his first start. Another brace for Matty Wolfe was the other key takeaway in a runout that was helpful for momentum and rotation.
With a fuller deck to choose from than has been the case in some time, it makes selection interesting across all of the lines. Gianfranco Facchineri, Killian Brouder, Wasiri Williams, Connor Barratt and Kavanagh are all decent options at the back. Barratt, amongst other has often featured at right-back, with Lee Devitt usually preferred at left-back.
Wolfe must demand a start in midfield. Aaron Bolger and David Hurley would likely make up the most effective trio, were that to be the shape.
Stephen Walsh could be partnered by Frantz Pierrot again who was effective against Sligo but there are again the options of Twardek and Lomboto.
None of this is to mention Jimmy Keohane and Ed McCarthy who more often than not are accommodated and with good reason.
They have had their struggles on the road, but United can feel some optimism going into this. They have shaded their games against the big teams so far. Continuing to do so would go a long way to ensuring their survival again.
