Whitey Anderson has backed his players
Over Easter Ballinamallard United have two games that could well define their season and manager Whitey Anderson has acknowledged it is a ‘massive’ week for everyone involved at the club.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Ballinamallard play host to Ballymena United at Ferney Park quickly followed with another game on Easter Tuesday, Dungannon Swifts the visitors. With just two points separating Coleraine, Ballinamallard and Warrenpoint it appears the race to avoid to final relegation play off spot may go to the wire. Whitey is confident though his boys can get the job done.
“I’m confident we’re going to get out of it. Our intention is to stay up and it is in our own hands.
“All I want to do is focus on playing the football, on playing Ballymena. All we want to do is win football games. It is absolutely must win territory, we have to go out and beat Ballymena and Dungannon, but first we can’t look past Ballymena, it is a big week ahead.”
Looking ahead to Ballymena and Whitey knows it is a tough task.
“Obviously they’re a difficult side, but if we go out with the same attitude and desire from when we played Coleraine I’m confident we can win. The last three games we are unbeaten which is also pleasing and has given us confidence. The players have worked extremely hard on and off the pitch and have really upped their intensity and tempo. They’re hungry for it, hungry to succeed, hungry to stay in the league and I can’t ask for much more from them. If they keep it up I’m confident we will retain our premiership status.”
Whitey is favouring an attacking approach in the final games of the season with the intention of playing ‘good football’ and ‘pushing men forward’ to ensure premiership survival. He recognises though the importance of the supporters in driving the players on.
“Hopefully we can get the crowd behind the team in these next two games. We have had fantastic support the last two years and it really means a lot to the players. We had a good crowd on Friday and we have to say thank you to the supporters who made a big effort heading up that distance as Bangor is a long way away. Their commitment all season has been tremendous.
“A large support does help, the players really appreciate it. The 12th man is very important and it can be very important these next two games. If we can get the support at Ferney hopefully it will carry the players on to get results from these games.
“I will take one nil the next three games believe me. The main thing is to keep pushing the men forward and creating chances. Training the last three weeks has been fantastic. They’re really up for the fight and they’re buzzing. The next eight days from Saturday on are massive for players and everyone at the club, but I’m confident we will stay up.”
Bar injury to Cathal Beacom on Friday night and the unavailable Davy Kee due to suspension Whitey Anderson has a full squad to choose from for Saturday’s game.
FIXTURES
Danske Premiership
Saturday 19 April 3pm
v Ballymena Unted
Tuesday 22 April 2.30pm
v Dungannon Swifts