RTÉ Soccer analyst Brian Kerr has questioned Owen Heary’s appointment of new coaching staff at Sligo Rovers just weeks into the season.
Following six league games without a win at the start of the campaign, Heary has recruited Liam O’Brien and Joseph Ndo to his staff in a bid to address the poor run.
The Bit o’ Red beat Galway United last Friday to finally earn a victory, with O’Brien and Ndo in the Sligo dug-out for the first time.
But Kerr has been left bemused by the timing of their arrival and whether Ndo will adjust to his first role as a coach after the end of his playing career in 2014.
He said: “They are two very experienced merchants. Joe has not too much experience on the coaching side. He was a key player for Sligo in the glory years with the Cup wins.
“I'm not sure how much Joe has changed since I worked with him for about a year and he was a fella that kept a lot of his thoughts to himself. In coaching, you have to go and do it and get out there and make your philosophy or thoughts very clear.
“Liam O'Brien is another very experienced coach in the league and Owen worked with him previously at Bohs when Liam was Pat Fenlon's assistant. It seems a strange time for me to be bringing in two coaches.
“Why didn't they come in at the start of the season when Owen was doing pre-season? I don't understand that.
“Is that a reaction to not having a win in the first six games?"
Kerr believes that the run of just two points from a possible 18 has left The Showgrounds outfit with a big mountain to climb to break into contention to challenge at the top of the table.
He concluded: "Sligo, for me, it looks like it is going to be a tough enough season. A lot of people had high hopes for them but with the start they have had they have a lot of work to do get somewhere into contention.”
Heary's side face Longford Town in City Calling Stadium on Friday.
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