Sligo Rovers manager John Russell is hoping that his side can build on Friday night's emphatic victory in Waterford as they travel to take on Derry City tonight.
The Bit O’Red remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just seven points from their opening ten games, however, the 4-0 win at the RSC on Friday should boost confidence ahead of tonight’s short hop north to the Ryan McBride Brandywell.
And manager Russell is hoping that his players can bring the same attitude to tonight’s fixture knowing that a win would see Sligo move off the bottom of the table and move ahead of Waterford and Cork City into eighth place.
"We performed really well down in Waterford; I thought we controlled the narrative of the game right from kick-off," said Russell. "But it was a performance that was coming, and one that we know the players have had in them from the opening day.
"From front to back it was the type of performance we wanted and needed to see from the players and I felt the few changes we made really freshened things up for us.
"But Waterford is done and now the focus is on Derry and the Brandywell. It's going to be a big week for us, with Cork also coming here on Saturday.
"Derry are a hugely experienced side, littered with talent all over. They have title ambitions and they will be in good form following a win in Galway last week. Not many teams have or will be able to do that this season, so it shows the type of challenge we face.
"But I really do feel that if we play with the same attitude that we did last Friday, it will bring us a long way towards achieving what we want to at the Brandywell."
Sligo must plan without Connor Malley who is ruled out through suspension, while Ollie Denham and Wilson Waweru miss out through injury. Full-back Harvey Lintott faces a late fitness test.
Derry will be hoping that their impressive victory away in Galway will kick-start their season following a slow start to the campaign under new manager Tiernan Lynch.
The Candystripes have shown their potential at times throughout the first round of fixtures, however, Friday night’s victory may have been their most complete performance so far.
And now, despite the disappointing early results, Derry can move back into contention with victory against Sligo, which would take them to within three points of league leaders Drogheda United with all the top teams taking points off each other in recent weeks.
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