DERRY CITY boss Peter Hutton is confident he can get his side back on track.
The Candystripes gaffer has been under pressure as his team have now went seven league games without a victory as they travel to Drogheda United on Friday. Unfortunately for the Brandywell men, United Park isn't a happy hunting ground for them as they have only won once in their last six visits.
"It's certainly an important game for us,"? said Hutton.
"We want to go into the break in a positive frame of mind on the back of a good result and good performance, so it's certainly a game we are looking forward to.
"There is pressure on myself from the start of the season to now even. Given the recent run of results it certainly adds to it, but again we just have to remain focused on the job in hand and not let it affect us.
"I put pressure on myself more than probably anyone. We all want to do well here and we all want to be successful but I think if anything this will be a fantastic learning experience for a lot of the young players. But it's part and parcel in football you have to have the lows to enjoy your highs and I think once we get everybody back and maybe add one or two fresh faces then we'll certainly climb that table."
One man who won't be helping that task is striker Anthony Elding who left the club on Thursday by mutual consent. The ex-Ballinamallard United front man scored just twice in his 11 appearances for City and Hutton admits things didn't work out for him.
"To be fair to Anthony, he's been a fantastic professional, but we've been thinking about it the past few weeks now and I think we're going a different direction now and I think, as well, we need to bring though some of our youth as well,"? Hutton said.
"I don't think it worked out for him here, but it was no fault of Anthony's, he was a consummate professional and worked extremely hard when he was here - very good with the young players too and they'll benefit from that as well, but as I say, we're just going to go a different direction."
City travel to in-form Drogheda without skipper Ryan McBride, who is suspended, but on the plus side Mark Timlin returns to the squad.
Elsewhere on Friday, champions and league leaders Dundalk will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's shock home defeat to Bohemians, when they travel to lowly Sligo Rovers. Free scoring St Patrick's Athletic host bottom side Limerick, second placed Cork City entertain Bray Wanderers and Galway United travel to Longford Town.
The match of the night takes place at Dalymount Park in front of the RTÉ cameras, with Bohs taking on Shamrock Rovers.
In the First Division, leaders Finn Harps take on Wexford Youths at Finn Park, bottom side Cabinteely come up against Athlone Town, Waterford United face second placed UCD at the RSC and Shelbourne take on Cobh Ramblers at Tolka Park.
