Manager's Post Match Comments
Posted : 24th February 2014
Manager David Jeffrey spoke to Linfieldfc.com after tonight's vital 2-1 win against Glenavon which put the Blues back on top of the league table.
"We knew it was going to be tough tonight and you have to give credit where it is due. Gary Hamilton has put together a more than decent side with a good blend of youth and experience. By all accounts they were unlucky not to get all three points against Crusaders on Friday night so we knew how difficult it would be. They said they weren't coming here for just a point and you could see their intent in the way they went about the game. I thought they were better in the early part of the game and they got the opening goal through a penalty. I thought we responded tremendously well and created a number of chances of our own and perhaps we could have come in a goal ahead."
"In the second half they had two great chances early on and Jonny Tuffey made some fantastic saves. I am so pleased for him as he made some mistakes in recent games and people were very quick to criticise. He made a great save from Curtis Allen on Friday night and was superb again tonight. It gives me great satisfaction when the faith that we have in a player is rewarded in such a significant way. I always thought that one goal was going to win it in the second half and thankfully we got it. It was a very tough game and probably was one that we might not have gained three points from this time last season. We have now won our last three league games and I think that says something about our mental strength."
The manager also commented on the club's league position and on the prospect of regaining the league title this season.
"There are no prizes handed out at this stage of the season but it is nice to be sitting at the top of the table. I look at this time last year and we were so far out of it, battling for third place. I knew that this was a rebuilding year and they are making great progress. What really pleased me tonight was how the players stuck together. They didn't panic after going behind and we got a great goal from Philip Lowry to get us on level terms. Mark Haughey did so well to get the winner and it is tremendous for him after all the problems he had with injuries earlier in the season. It is going to be a really tight finish to the league this season. Cliftonville are a good established side but we are competing very well. "
"We now have a short break before we face Crusaders in the County Antrim Shield Final. That will be another tough game but we will be ready for it and I hope that we can give the supporters something to celebrate."