Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 26th August 2023
Today we will expect and have prepared for the usual formidable challenge from Stuart King's Carrick Rangers team.
They have recruited well, signing several experienced players over the summer after a very solid mid-table season last year. They showed in their recent 2-0 home win against Coleraine what a good side they are and of course, it was this exact weekend last year when we lost 2-1 at Taylor's Avenue.
Of course, Carrick will be hurting after a 4-0 loss at Solitude and a 9-0 defeat (with 10 men) at Seaview but there will be no better opportunity for them to bounce back than in today's game at Windsor Park.
I fully expect a positive reaction to the midweek setback and with their new American investor due to be in attendance at today's game, this will be the perfect platform for them to impress their new majority shareholder.
We will aim to continue our early season promising form and results into today's game. While we've been delighted to have won our opening four league games, the next game is always the most important and so the three points on offer today are absolutely vital and what we've been focused on since the end of the midweek win against Cliftonville.
Last weekend's win in Ballymena was hard-fought but deserved. We had to battle against the elements, as well as a stubborn home team but thankfully, we got the rewards when Chris McKee's well-taken late goal secured the all-important win.
The midweek win against Cliftonville was particularly pleasing, as they had made an unbeaten start to their season and provided us with a real early season test which thankfully, we managed to overcome.
Our goal scorers on the night, Chris McKee and Joel Cooper are in fine form at the minute but football is a team game and I've been delighted with the effort, attitude and contributions of all the players in the squad.
We will certainly need to rely on the strength within the entire squad to help us navigate what is sure to be a long and challenging season over the course of the upcoming autumn and winter months.
Best wishes to Chris McKee and Jack Scott who've received call-ups to Tommy Wright's under 21 international squad for upcoming games.
Stephen Fallon is closing in on a return to action and it will be great to have him back, fit and available.
Robbie McDaid continues to work with our medical department on the road to recovery from long term injury, while Jordan Stewart is our other current long-term absentee.
Positive support from the South Stand will be needed and appreciated today, to help drive us on to achieve the win we want against a team that will come here totally determined to put recent negative results firmly behind them.