The Dubliner claimed the atmosphere at the Brandywell venue had been unusually quiet during the recent home games against Galway United and Sligo Rovers and hopes his players can do their part to help create a passionate environment for tonight's crucial league fixture as they attempt to return to winning ways.

Indeed the Foylesiders have failed to register a League victory in five games - their last League victory at home came on March 28th against Drogheda - and Kenny made it abundantly clear he wants visiting teams to feel intimidated when arriving at the Brandywell.

"We're the only team to remain unbeaten at home this season and I want to go the whole season unbeaten at the Brandywell," said the Derry boss.

"Our next three home games are important. We have four games before the League takes a break at the beginning of June and three of those are at the Brandywell against Cobh, UCD and Cork. We have to create a passionate environment and make teams fearful of coming here.

"After the recent game against Sligo people were commenting on how quiet it was," added Kenny. "Our fans away from home have been extremely vocal and earlier in the games against Finn Harps and Drogheda they really got behind the team.

"It's all very well Cork or Bohemians coming here and the crowd being lively and us being up for it but when Cobh come here we must create a great atmosphere, get a home victory and put ourselves back in there.
"However, during the last game against Galway it was a quiet night, we were a bit lacklustre and we didn't play at the tempo we need to and we must accept criticism for that. We must play at a tempo and be able to feed off the energy of the crowd. We must inspire them by playing some good football and give them something to shout about.

"But it's is a two-way thing," continued Kenny. "The players have to give the fans something to shout about because we've had two scoreless draws. The players and supporters need to increase the passion levels for Friday night."

Before last Friday night's 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers, when Conor Sammon's strike secured a point, Derry had failed to net in the league since their April 4th victory over St. Pat's at Richmond Park and Kenny has called on his strikers to be more clinical.

"The players have been good but we just need to push it up a notch now with Cobh and then UCD coming here. We need to play at a higher tempo and be more clinical in front of goal," he maintained.

Commenting on what he expected from last season's First Division champions, Cobh Ramblers who currently sit second from bottom despite some excellent results including a draw with Cork and an impressive 2-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers, Kenny felt his side would be in for a difficult night.

"Cobh's big centre backs Kevin Murray and Shane Guthrie are players that played in the Cork first team, they have good young players who will be well organised. We have to believe in ourselves and take the game to Cobh.

"I know we're guaranteed a tough game but I want to win. We have a huge desire to win it because if we do it puts us on that 20 points mark from the first stage which represents a reasonable start.

"No game is going to be easy but hopefully we can get a victory and that would get us back on track."

On the team front, Derry have lodged an appeal against a two match suspension imposed on centre-half, Clive Delaney, following his controversial sending-off against Bray, making him eligible to play against Cobh tonight, however, Paddy McCourt continues to struggle with a back problem and long term casualties, Sammy Morrow (Knee), Sean Hargan (ankle), Darren Quigley (Wrist) remain sidelined.

On a more positive note Ciaran Martyn may return to the squad having returned to training midweek.

"We've appealed Clive Delaney's suspension so that makes him available to play against Cobh and the appeal will be heard next Wednesday. Ciaran Martyn has done a light bit of training and could be involved, we'll have to see how he is nearer the time.

"Kevin Deery and Mark McChrystal should both be involved, although Mark received five stitches over his eye after a clash during training but he should be okay," concluded the Dubliner.