Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 3rd December 2022
Today we will face a difficult challenge from a committed Carrick Rangers team that is sitting comfortably in a mid-table position.
Manager Stuart King and former Linfield stalwart defender, Jim Ervin will want to impress on a return to the Windsor Park surroundings they know well and in forward Curtis Allen, they possess a danger man who will pose a real threat on his return to one of his former stomping grounds.
We lost the league game 2-1 in Carrickfergus at the end of August, so the visitors will be keen to show that that result wasn’t a 'flash in the pan'.
In our most recent games, we recorded a hard fought and deserved 1-0 win at home to Larne but unfortunately, we weren’t able to follow that up with a win against Crusaders, as we were held to a frustrating scoreless draw by a stubborn rearguard display from the visitors.
Overall, we’ve won seven and drawn two of our previous nine games but we still find ourselves some distance from where we want to be in the league table.
We need to maintain the momentum we’ve built up recently, as we enter a crucial run of fixtures across various competitions.
Although we will welcome Eetu Vertainen back from suspension today, injuries continue to cause major frustration.
Stephen Fallon was the latest addition to our long injury list, as he had to be withdrawn midway through the first half of last week’s game against Crusaders.
We are hopeful that we will have Kyle McClean and Joel Cooper available to the squad today and their return from injury would be a very welcome boost.
Ben Hall is making good progress on the road to recovery and Jordan Stewart remains unavailable at present.
Kirk Millar missed last week’s game following surgery to his hand and he will be missing again today.
Niall Quinn and Andrew Clarke are also unavailable at present and we look forward to welcoming them back to the squad in the near future. Ross Larkin completes our long list of absentees, although it’s been pleasing to see him return to light training in recent times.
Injuries are unfortunately part and parcel of football and they test the strength of our squad and give opportunities for valuable game time to others. Last week 16-year-old Aodhan Doherty, 17-year-old Diego Esquivel McGann and 18-year-old Liam McStravick benefited from their involvement in our first team match day squad.
I want to congratulate my trusted assistant Ross Oliver and my opposite number in the dug out today, Stuart King, following their recent successful completion of their UEFA Pro Licence qualification.
Today we will need the patience and positive vocal encouragement of our supporters, to help drive us on to what would hopefully be a vital three points in our quest to climb the league table.