Stephen Bradley insists Rovers can turn tie around at Tallaght next week
Rovers are on the brink of elimination from the Conference league after tonight's single goal defeat, a defeat which could have been much worse as the Hoops turned in a performance that Bradley deemed miles off the level that is required.
"Look, I think first-half we were poor, to be fair. We were poor first-half in every aspect," said a disappointed Bradley after the game.
"Second-half we were slightly better, but overall it was levels below what we have been domestically and in Europe for quite some time.
"The positive is that we're still in the game. It's one nil, and we know we'll be a lot better next week in Tallaght."
From the get-go, the Hoops didn't look anywhere near their best on Thursday evening. Over the course of the 90 minutes, they mustered just two efforts on target, both Josh Honahan headers from corners, and failed to create a chance from open play.
"We have to have a look at it as a group, staff, players, we have to have a look and we will. Very unlike us in every aspect. Sometimes it happens," Bradley said when asked whether he could put his finger on the reason for the flat performance, "We'll need to assess everything and try understand why.
"The main thing for us next week will be to perform to our levels whatever happens, if the result happens, you can't guarantee that.
"But what we can be is better than what we were tonight, and I'm sure we will be. Like I said - I can't remember the last European game that we were off it like that in the first-half. And we were off it."
Still, Bradley is convinced his team have what it takes to turn the tie around and keep Conference League groups stage qualification hopes alive.
"We just got to make sure next week that we perform and we get back to our levels and I've no doubt we have enough within the group to go and win the game and win the tie."
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