Depleted defence makes for Shamrock Rovers intrigue against Derry City

It's only a couple of games into the new SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season and thus far reigning champions Shamrock Rovers have incurred more red cards than they have points on the board.

Sendings off for Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary and Lee Grace have been extra blemishes in their opening two away games against Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United, with late equalisers proving costly for the Hoops in the consecutive 1-1 draws.

Manager Stephen Bradley won't be pressing the panic button just yet given how early it is in the season.

But the loss of three defenders to suspension means the Tallaght Stadium visit of Derry City - the side expected to be the biggest threat to their four-in-a-row hopes - makes for a tactically intriguing battle on Friday night.

That was the view of former Dundalk manager Vinny Perth and ex-UCD, Shamrock Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Paul Corry when they joined this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

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"They've played nearly 4-5 years always with a back three and almost a box in midfield. They all know their jobs," said Perth.

"Will they stick to a back three this week?"

The answer to that is likely to be no, with Corry predicting an enforced move to a back four without their trio of leading centre-backs.

"If you look at it, (Bradley) probably doesn't have the personnel to play a three this week so it will be interesting to see who sets up there, what players he uses. He might have to shuffle a few around to fill those three centre-half positions," he