KEITH LONG BRINGS BOHEMIANS to ‘intimidating’ Finn Park tomorrow night and has warned his side that they have to show a marked improvement.
In their last three League games, Bohemians have lost against Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Dundalk and didn’t score in any of those fixtures.
Long will be again without the hamstrung striker Ismahil Akinade for their trip to Ballybofey, a considerable blow to a team badly on the lookout for a win.
Harps have been attempting to turn Finn Park into a fortress and have already beaten Derry City, Longford Town and Bray Wanderers in Ballybofey, while Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic had to dig deep for wins by the Finn.
“Harps have continued the home form the had last season since they came up,” Long said.
“They’ve made Finn Park an intimidating place to go to, but our lads know what is expected of them.
“We have a group of lads who are all working really hard. I’ve said it before, but if we maintain that effort and build upon it, our luck will change.
“We’ve played great in patches throughout the season. Now we need to replicate that for the whole game and give 90-minute performances.
“We have to start making the most of games when we’re in the ascendancy and ultimately we need to start putting the ball in the net.”
Bohs were unfancied going into last Friday’s game against champions Dundalk, who have a 100 per cent record away from home in the league this season.
[adrotate group=”38″]While the game finished 2-0 to the league leaders, Bohs enjoyed the lion’s share of both possession and chances in the opening half before coming unstuck from a stunning Daryl Horgan free-kick seven minutes before half-time.
Long said: “We played very well in the first half. I thought at the time that we should have had a penalty in the first half too and, after seeing it again, I’m sure it was a penalty.
“It still hasn’t quite happened for us yet this season but we are determined to rectify that.”
On top of Akinade’s absence, Bohs will also be minus Jason Caffrey (hamstring), Adam Evans (virus) and James Kavanagh (virus).
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