ALAN REYNOLDS has challenged his Bohemians players to win three league games in a row for the first time in more than a year.
Reynolds has taken nine points from his first five matches in charge to move Bohs level on points with second-placed Derry City.
Bohs burst out of the blocks last season winning six of their first seven matches but they won back to back just twice more in the Premier Division with both featuring a victory over UCD who were relegated.
Now they have done it for the first time in 2024, beating league leaders Shelbourne on Friday and backed that up by defeating bottom side Dundalk.
And Rennie is looking for more of the same when they host second-from-bottom Drogheda on Friday.
Rennie said: “Winning two in a row was something we spoke about on Sunday, when was the last time they did it and we weren’t sure.
“And now we’re looking to go three on the bounce and get a bit of momentum.”
Rennie made six changes to his starting XI but ultimately had to rely on three substitutes to improve their performance with Declan McDaid providing a real threat before Dayle Rooney provided the dead-ball delivery for James Akintunde to score.
He said: “It was never going to be fluent and never going to be easy, the wind played a big factor. Was I pleased? I was pleased to get in at 0-0 and change one or two things at half-time. But with making six changes I think you’re going to get that.
“I was with Waterford and we were up in Dundalk a few weeks ago and it was 0-0 so we knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
“I don’t think they’re getting the breaks at the minute and looking at that maybe we did. I think they’re a good side and I’m glad to get the three points off them. We play them Friday week again.
“We always felt that the lads on the bench would win the game. There were a few knocks from Friday. But we felt Declan Mc and James Akintunde made a difference.”
Rennie previously worked with Akintunde at Derry and said: “The first thing about James is that he’s a diamond of a lad, a cracking fella.
“He’s one of these strikers who gets on a run and he’s on a run at the minute and long may it continue.
“I thought he was excellent against Shels. I know Jordan Flores got man of the match but I thought he was up there. He’s flying, full of confidence and rightly so.”
The Waterford native hinted Bohs could be busy again in the summer transfer window as he looks to make his mark on the squad.
He said: “We’ve a lot of improving to do. We need to pass the ball a lot better and try to get my stamp on the team and that’s going to take time and it might take players.
“I’m going to work with the ones we have and try to improve them and get them used to it. I think the conditions stopped a lot of it but Monday looked to me like a new manager trying to put new ideas in and there’s still a lot to tidy up on.
“It feels like game no 20. It has been mental. Last week was the first time I had suppose training sessions so I suppose I’m looking for miracles as well, that they can play the way I want them to play.”