Bohemians' outspoken manager, Roddy Collins, is calling on his players to forget about their European showdown with Kaiserslautern on Monday and concentrate on earning three league points against Derry tonight at the Brandywell.

Bohs top the Premier Division on goal difference and a win tonight would put pressure on the teams around them as they face into their weekend fixtures.

Derry are just as hungry for a win after finally getting their season on track with a 2-0 win at Buckley Park against Kilkenny last weekend.

The cash-strapped club cannot afford to be languishing near the foot of the table if they are to turn their fortunes around and get the taxman off their backs. Fans only turn up to watch successful teams, so Derry need success.

In his heart Collins knows that the club's European adventure could end at any time so continuing the good work they started in the league is imperative.

Collins said: "Tonight is far more important than the Kaiserslautern match. The league is a far more important competition for us and while Monday night will be a great occasion we have to concentrate on the league and Derry City tonight in particular.

"I am not going to say something stupid like we are going to win the league this year but I do believe that we are in a better position than we were last season. We have a better team and a better squad than last year.

"We finished third last year, reached the FAI Cup final and qualified for Europe but we do have a better squad at the club this year and that has to be looked after.

"We have started the league campaign quite impressively and I want that to continue. The team for tonight will be different to the side that plays on Monday because of suspensions and different formations being used so there won't be a case of resting someone tonight because of Monday's game.

"I would never sacrifice a league game for any reason. We are going very well at the moment and it is important to get the win tonight, go three points clear and then put pressure on the other teams to get results at the weekend while we relax ahead of Monday."