UPBEAT: Mallards boss Whitey Anderson
Last week has gone. We’re onto a new game, new opposition, but the end goal is still the game – a good performance and points.
That’s the view of Ballinamallard United manager Whitey Anderson after Saturday’s excellent 3-0 defeat of Ballymena United.
“Institute is a different ball game. They have just been promoted, but they have got off to a good start.
“Their manager Paul Kee has been here before and he knows what the Premiership is like.
“His teams always play football and I’m sure they will try to do that at Ferney Park,” said Anderson.
“They have shown they are a threat already this season. They have a lot of pace and with O’Flynn scoring goals they are getting things right.”But Anderson knows that Saturday’s win over Ballymena was a huge flip for his side.
“We know we have to put in performances like that now if we are to get anything out of games. There is no point in playing well for 20 minutes and then switching off. It must be for the 90 minutes.
“It was good to get the win on Saturday. But it’s not all about that. There are 38 tough Premier League games and we must be ready for every challenge.
“We must play for the 90 minutes, and we can’t afford to drop off. There must be hard work, commitment and desire and we have to cause them problems,” said the Ballinamallard manager.
“The players have taken it on board. There was a lot of preparation for those two games last week and we were very happy with them. They know what they have to do when they cross the white line. I was critical of them the week before.
There were no holes barred, but in fairness they responded and it has pleased everyone.”
“They know themselves what they need to do and must carry that forward each week. Consistency is the key in this league and we must strive to achieve that.”
Winger Jason McCartney is still recovering from a leg injury, but could return to the squad for Saturday’s Institute game while left back Jake Dykes could also be included following an injury.