Tim Clancy reckons “overachieving” Drogheda United will be a threat to St Patrick’s Athletic’s recent run of form.
The Saints have won their last two games, including a 4-0 win last Friday against Cork City, and are three places - but just a single point - behind tonight’s opponents.
Clancy took over at St Pat’s after a spell in charge at Drogheda and was replaced ahead of last season by his former assistant Kevin Doherty.
He said: “You have to treat the game with absolute respect. They are a very good team - look at the points that they have on the board already this season.
“Kev is working wonders up there, they are overachieving massively. Last season and again this season, you can see with the start they’ve had, it’s remarkable.
“We know it’s going to be very tough, but it’s a really good playing surface and the fans are brilliant up there as well.”
Drogheda picked up a shock 1-0 win away to title contenders Derry City on Friday night.
“Drogheda have had a few good results as well and the result they had on Friday away to Derry on Friday night was exceptional, so it's going to be a difficult game,” Clancy added.
“But it’s a place where we’ve had good results in the last season that I’ve been here.
“It’s another performance on Friday that we want to build on and hopefully we can go up there and get another positive performance.
“It’s obviously a quick turnaround. We’ve got to put in a really good performance with loads of energy.
“We’ll have to move the ball quickly and defend well, because Drogheda have a real threat.”
Danny Rogers (thumb), Tom Grivosti (hamstring) and Harry Brockbank (calf) continue to miss out because of injury.
The Boynesiders will be without Emmanuel Adegboyega. He was red carded three nights ago - and manager Doherty was dismissed for protesting the controversial decision.
Ben Curtis and Adam Foley are out through injury, while Evan Weir and Darragh Noone are doubts.
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