CAPTAIN Patrick McEleney says Derry City aren’t pushing the panic button ahead of tomorrow night’s home encounter against Sligo Rovers.
The Candystripes suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss at champions Shamrock Rovers on Monday evening, but McEleney feels tomorrow’s clash against John Russell’s side is great for the squad.
“We’re still in with a shot,” he insisted.
“Obviously, the other night was disappointing, but I think we’ve been quite good recently and we’re getting bodies back, so no-one is hitting the panic button here.
“The fact that we have a game on Friday now at the Brandywell, I think that’s a good thing. I’m hoping that everybody comes and gets behind us because, at the end of the day, we’re still in a title race in my eyes.
“The other night was disappointing, there’s no getting away from it, but there’s no negativity in our dressing room at the minute. I think we’re all just looking forward.”
Prior to the loss at Tallaght Stadium, Derry were unbeaten in their previous six games – winning four and drawing two – and the 31-year-old wants the City changing room to remain positive.
“We can’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows,” he said.
“I’ll not be anyway, so we just have to keep motoring on and hopefully feed that through the dressing room, and hopefully it feeds through to the fans.
“We’re at home now and look, we’re in a title race as far as I’m concerned. We’re a few points off Shelbourne, of course, and it’s easier said than done, but we have 18 games to go.”
McEleney, along with the likes of Cameron Dummigan and Sadou Diallo in recent weeks have returned to bolster the squad and he hopes his injury problems are behind him.
“It’s just good to get out there,” he added.
“Obviously, I helped a wee bit against St Pat’s with the goal and stuff. I’ve trained a couple of weeks and I think I’ve said it previously, it’s just day by day with me now, trying to affect games and get myself to a place where I can go. When that is, it’s not up to me, but I feel really good and positive about where we’re going as a team.
“I know I’m capable of affecting things when I’m out there. People are nearly 20 games ahead of me, but I think I have the know-how and I’ll get better as well, there’s no doubt about it, I’ll get better.
“As I say, Monday night was disappointing, but we’re hoping to kick on against Sligo.”
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