Strength in depth puts Sligo in contention

Following their 11th win of the season, Sligo Rovers jumped up to third place in the Premier Division and should now be taken seriously as title contenders.

When Paul Cook first got the call about the managerial vacancy at The Showgrounds back in 2007, he didn’t know too much about the club who were searching for a new leader.

After a long playing career, the Liverpool native had gone into coaching with Accrington Stanley before landing the manager’s job at Southport. He lasted just one season with the Sandgrounders, so when Sligo got in touch he became excited about taking on a fresh challenge.

In many ways, it was a step into the unknown for Cook. However, he saw opportunity in Sligo – an opportunity to turn around the fortunes of a proud club, an opportunity to grow as a manager and an opportunity to be successful.

Since taking over, Cook has proved to be a popular figure around the Airtricity League, but most importantly in Sligo. He led the Connacht-based team to a fourth-place finish in 2008 before guiding them to the final of the FAI Ford Cup in 2009. But this season could be his finest yet, if he can keep the Bit O’Red in the title race.

Of course, that is asking a lot of a team that finished in sixth place last year and have not won the league since 1977. Although the big difference between this season and past campaigns is that they now have strength in depth in their squad.

Even when they reached the cup final last term, there were few options past the starting eleven that Cook could call on to make an impact on the game. That has also hurt them in the league, where an injury to a key player has had the potential of derailing their entire season.

Now, there are two (sometimes three) good players for each position. This is best explemified by the quality that they now have in central midfield. While Danny Ventre had to fill in a lot last year whenever either Conor O’Grady or Richie Ryan was ruled out, they can now choose between that trio along with John Russell, Joseph Ndo and John Dillon.

Many of the signings that have come in can play in a variety of different positions and that is key. For example, Ndo can play in the middle, on either flank or as a second striker. It also allows Cook to play different formations too. So, having players like that ultimately decide whether a club’s season will be successful or not.

The Sligo board have placed quite a bit of trust in Cook to bring in higher-profile players, although they were certainly needed to bring them up to the next level. And what is most exciting about the bulk of

the signings made by the 43-year-old is that they have helped turn the team into an attacking force. As they prepare to head into Week 27 of the season, Sligo top the scoring charts with 43 goals and they have the second-best home record in the top flight. That all indicates that they are finally playing in the way that Cook first envisaged them to when he took over three years ago.

Crucial to this new attacking approach has been the addition of wingers Eoin Doyle and Gary McCabe, the re-signing of Romauld Boco and the capture of striker Padraig Amond, who is steaming ahead in the race to land the golden boot. If they can keep scoring goals, then Cook’s side should keep up with the other title contenders.

Although, it won’t be easy to match more experienced teams chasing silverware in the final run-in, Sligo can bring in fresh bodies to mix things up and that should make a huge difference for them.

Perhaps this could be the year when Cook’s original plan finally comes off. If it is, then his status as a Sligo hero would be cemented in history. But there are still a lot of games to be played yet.