Nash feels he now has Cork City group that are 'all-in' for 12-game survival mission

An eight-point gap can - and for Ger Nash and City, needs - to be closed to five, not stretched to 11 with a Sligo win. It's imperative for their hopes of remaining at the top-level of football in this country. 

Cork City boss Ger Nash. Pic: James Lawlor/Inpho

Twelve League of Ireland Premier Division fixtures. Six at home in Turner's Cross. Six away. 

That's what Ger Nash and his Cork City charges have left to save their top-flight lives. What is now a 12-game season - or survival mission - begins with the most important fixture of all: Ninth-place Sligo Rovers' visit to Leeside on Friday night.

An eight-point gap can - and for Nash and City, needs - to be closed to five, not stretched to 11. It's imperative for their hopes of remaining at the top-level of football in this country. 

The meeting with John Caulfield's Galway United the following Friday holds the same importance. It's a sentiment Nash is acutely aware of, but for now, Sligo is the test that simply must be passed. 

"It's a huge week, it's a huge game," City boss Nash said. "We're in no doubt about that, we know the importance of it, we know we need to win games. We've got two home games coming up and I would go as far as to say both games are incredibly important and we need to pick up maximum points. It's that time, it's two-thirds of the way through the season, and we need to win games.

"It's as simple as that, that's what is going to get us out of the position that we're in."

There has been an evolution within Nash's playing squad this month with multiple arrivals and departures. 

On-loan midfielder Rio Shipston has returned to Sheffield Wednesday with the English club under a transfer embargo, Djenairo Daniels has headed for Kilmarnock, and Dutch 'keeper Tein Troost has left. Youngster Callum Honohan has joined his brother Josh at Shamrock Rovers, while Arran Healy has joined Kerry in search of first-team football. Malik Dijksteel will depart for for St Mirren at the end of the season.

'Keeper David Odumosu, defenders Rory Feely and Fiacre Kelleher, attackers Charlie Lutz and Brody Lee have all arrived. Added to that quintet, on-loan Preston North End midfielder Kaedyn Kamara landed in the door in recent days. 

All change, but what Nash now knows is where everyone in the building stands. Every player inside the walls of their Bishopstown training base will be carrying the fight to keep City afloat for the next 12 games. 

The City boss is now sure his current players are "not looking at their next move". He feels they are "all-in" and "want to be" at Cork City.

"I've just done a team meeting, and when I look around and what I see in the squad for tomorrow night is a group of people who fully understand the importance of the next 12 games to the people of Cork, to the City fans, for all of our careers, myself as manager, my staff, I think we see a group of people that are all-in," he said.

"We need it to work for us and I think that is one of the big things that has come out of this month is that we've lost people, but we've also finished the month, going into this 12-game spell with people who want to be at Cork City and need it to be successful; I need it to be successful, the staff need it to be successful and the players need it to be successful. It's as simple as that."

"I don't think we have any people who are looking at their next move, where they want to go next."

Circumstances on the injury front are not ideal heading into such a crucial meeting with John Russell's Sligo, who have garnered eight points from their last four league games. 

Nash teased a first start for long-term absentee Benny Couto, but injuries to Odumosu, Greg Bolger and Murray (doubtful) and Charlie Lyons' continued suspension leave holes in the City's strongest 11. 

The likelihood is that Darragh Crowley will shift into midfield to accompany Evan McLaughlin, while Conor Brann will be stationed between the posts. 

"Sean Murray was injured against Shelbourne, came off at half-time, so he's a doubt, Greg Bolger and David Odumosu unfortunately picked up injuries against Waterford, so they are also going to be out, the 38-year-old said. "Milan Mbeng is someone we haven't seen play since the Celtic game, so he's another one."

For Sligo and Russell, the objective is simple. Play front-footed football and push City further towards the abyss. 

"I think it's a huge weekend of football at the bottom end of the table," Russell said. "If we manage to get a win tomorrow night, it gives us another three points on the board and there's 11 games to go.

"We know we have to go and attack the game. if you want to win games in this league, home or away, you must to be at your best."