Keith Long says Bohs are fighting a scorched earth issue at Dalymount Park despite the boost of a home Dublin derby victory over Shels.
The 1-0 victory on Friday night saw the Gypsies leapfrog their northside rivals in mid-table ahead of Friday's clash with bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers.
"We were glad to see it out," said Long, after Bohs held on to the lead after Ciaran Kelly's 54th minute red card.
The Gypsies went ahead thanks to Dawson Devoy's 13th minute cracker and Long was thankful that Shels sub Gavin Hodgins struck the crossbar late on.
"It was heart in the mouth time but I think we deserved that little bit of luck that we hadn't got in previous games," said Long, bemoaning his side's large number of draws - eight - in the first half of the campaign.
"It can be difficult coming back on what was a really, really tough pitch for both sides.
"We want to play the game in a certain way and it was hard to move the ball quickly. The pitch was very dry, very bobbly, it's scorched and it's been an issue for a number of years.
"It's something we need to improve on. We're talking about redeveloped stadiums and all that but the pitch needs to be right."
Long praised the performance of goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan, who kept a clean sheet on his debut in the absence of James Talbot, who will be out for several months with a shoulder injury.
"He has been very patient but he has obviously been behind an exceptional keeper, so he's had to wait patiently in the wings and has been very professional," said Long of the ex-Galway and Treaty United keeper.
"He's trained very, very hard and is a very clever, down to earth kind of fella, nothing really fazes him.
"So we weren't really concerned for Tadhg to come into a game of that nature with a bit of pressure on us.
"He did very well to keep a clean sheet and it's a reward for his patience and perseverance, but also his professionalism because the boys will tell you he trains at a really, really high standard and I'm glad for him."
Ryan's first involvement saw him kick the ball straight into touch but he settled quickly. The 25-year-old made a superb save just after Kelly had been sent off.
"He wasn't tested hugely, but everything he did after that initial touch he did comfortably," said the Bohs manager.
"He dealt with the back passes well, his distribution was really good and he made one or two important saves.
"He deserves that opportunity now and hopefully it's a sign of things to come from Tadhg. We're delighted with the clean sheet, it was really important."
Ryan will face the acid test against League leaders Rovers in Tallaght after their loss to Dundalk in their last game.
"It was important to get the second half of the season off to a winning start at home," Long stated.
"If we click that front four are as good as any in the League - but we have to click a little bit more often than we have been doing and that's been the missing piece.
"We have to be consistent and to try and follow that up if we can - it's very difficult when you're going to Tallaght, to the League leaders.
"They lost on Friday night but it's a tough one to go there to try and back this up, but that's what we'll try to do. We're looking forward to it now."
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