STALEMATE

Few signs of a fresh approach from either side at the Aviva

- MARK MCCADDEN

IT'S EARLY days, but neither team can claim to have soothed concerns that last season's flaws have not been addressed.

St Patrick's Athletic, as was the case too often last year, looked laboured in possession and lacked any real spark in the final third.

And Bohemians, who carved out the better openings, came up short when it mattered.

There are other factors at play, such as the venue and the additional nerves that can come with a trip to the Aviva Stadium.

Douglas James-Taylor's surprise absence from the matchday squad - they had boasted a fully-fit panel in the buildup - left Bohs short of a man who knows his way to goal.

The decision to leave Colm Whelan on the bench and go with a top trio of Harry Vaughan, Ross Tierney and Connor Parsons was equally baffling.

Vaughan impressed in spells on his Bohs debut.