Whitey Anderson knows his side face a tough test against Linfield
Ballinamallard United face their toughest test of the season on Saturday when they entertain Linfield at Ferney Park.
As far as manager Whitey Anderson is concerned the Blues is still the biggest fixture in the calendar.
“There is no doubt this is the biggest game of the season, a game that we could only have dreamt about 18 months ago,” said Anderson.
The Windsor Park side is on a good roll at the moment, but it is something everyone in football expected, according to Anderson.
They have won their last three games and that is no surprise to the Ballinamallard manager.
“Anyone who didn’t think Linfield would be challenging by the end of the season is dillusional,” said Anderson.
He knows his side must push on after the excellent result away to Coleraine.
“There was certainly a smile on the faces this week after our performance and we’re looking forward to playing Linfield. I don’t think I’ll have any problem motivating the boys for this one.”
Anderson recalls that Ballinamallard’s best results against Linfield last season were at Windsor Park, but says last season has gone now.
“It’s a different league this time around. It’s completely different with different players on both sides. Last season will count for nothing,” he says.
“Last week it was all about getting back on the playing surface after a terrible result against Portadown. We did things right against Coleraine and if we don’t apply those type of levels then Linfield are a side that could open you up.’
“We brought basic things back into our game. Things like hard work, commitment and a desire to win everything that was going. If we don’t get those things then we don’t count.”
Anderson was delighted with midfielder David Kee’s 20 minutes against Coleraine.
“He’s just come back from injury and is training every day this week and has to be in consideration for Saturday.”
However, Richard Lecky and Stuart Hutchinson may be doubtful. Both had to come off at the Showgrounds early in the Coleraine game.
Ballinamallard though will definitely have Mark McConkey and Nigel Beacom back in contention after a good trainning session on Saturday, while Steve Feeney and Duwayne McManus will be part of Anderson’s pick.
“I really don’t know how I’m going to play it until I see that the treatment table holds. But I know we have to get the basics right, just like we did last year and work hard as a team.”
Linfield have Andy Waterworth in good form. He will pose a different threat for the Mallard backline, but Anderson is confident his men can handle that sort of quality and come out on top.
“The game is set to be a real cracker. Everyone should come out to watch it, it should be a real showcase.”