SOCCER:WHILE THEIR hopes didn't entirely come off the rails in Slovenia last week, a car crash much closer to home has hampered Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon's preparations ahead of tonight's return with Olimpija Ljubljana at Dalymount Park.
Striker Anthony Flood injured a shoulder in a traffic accident at the weekend and will be sidelined for up to a fortnight. Fenlon is also likely to be without attacking midfielder Stephen Traynor, who hurt an ankle in training yesterday.
Though neither started in Ljubljana (both were used substitutes), a reduction in his attacking options is hardly ideal for Fenlon. While he is again likely to deploy a 4-5-1 formation, more will be expected in an attacking sense from the flanks and through the middle against the technically adept Slovenians from the start if Bohemians are to have any hope of retrieving the tie.
“It will be different to over there,” said Fenlon of his tactical approach tonight.
“We’ll be a bit more on the front foot. We’ll have to mix it up, but obviously be careful we don’t concede a goal.
“I feel we can get the goal and then it’s game on and we’ll see how they react. Two-nil can be a difficult lead for anybody to defend,” said Fenlon.
“I’ve been in games when you’re 2-0 up at half-time, you are always thinking ‘go and get the third goal and finish it off’. But if you concede one you can get a little bit jittery and that’s what we’ll to try to do. Score the first goal and see how they react.”
Olimpija travelled smarting from a shock 3-0 home defeat to CM Celje in their opening league game of the season last Sunday. Manager Dušan Kosic has defender Erik Salkic back from suspension.
