Linfield can produce the decisive touch needed against battling Bannsiders, insists boss Healy
LINFIELD manager David Healy believes a glimpse of magic could decide tomorrow’s league game at home to Coleraine and is confident his players can provide it.
There was nothing between the sides when they met earlier in the season at the Showgrounds in a dull scoreless draw in September as Rodney McAree took charge of the Bannsiders for the first time.
Healy expects a much more open encounter at Windsor Park and feels that his team have the tools to get the job done.
“I think it will be a little bit more open than the last time and don’t feel it will be a tight, edgy affair,” said Healy, whose side are in second place in the Danske Bank Premiership behind leaders Glenavon on goals scored.
“We are fortunate to be playing on the best surface in the country. Last season at Windsor we played a fantastic game near the end of the campaign which ended 2-2 and it was wide open.
“I think there will be big moments in the game and there will be opportunities created and mistakes made. It will probably come down to one or two glimpses of magic and I firmly believe in my players.”
While Linfield are very much in the title mix at present, last season’s runners-up Coleraine are 10 points behind the top two and need a strong run of form.
Healy, though, insists that McAree’s men remain a quality outfit despite indifferent form this season.
“They have had the management changes with Rodney coming in for Oran Kearney and it has been said they haven’t started the season well but they still have largely the same group of players,” said the Blues boss.
“The nucleus of the successful squad they had last season is still there and we know what a good side they are. We expect a hard game and I think it is a game our players will relish.”
Last weekend Linfield needed a brave 96th-minute Andy Waterworth header to earn a 1-1 draw against Warrenpoint at Windsor Park. Waterworth had to go to hospital after the match having accidentally clashed with inspirational Town goalkeeper Aaron McCarey as he netted.
Waterworth hopes to be available to play versus Coleraine if he passes all the relevant tests relating to a head injury.
“I was disappointed with the result against Warrenpoint and while I have been harsh on our performances at times this season I thought last Saturday we had a right go and played the right way and we kept playing and got a really big goal at the end through Andy,” said Healy.
“To be fair to Andy it was a brave, brave header and it got us a big point. Who knows where that point will put us in May.”
Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer has been in charge of Linfield for just over three years now and added that he continues to have the buzz that being in the Windsor dug-out brings.
“The challenge is here to win matches and be successful,” said Healy. “We have started the season okay. We are there or thereabouts in the league and have progressed in a couple of cup competitions.
“I love the challenge of being Linfield manager and proving people wrong. There’s always a point to prove whether you are a good player or a good manager because people are always asking questions. I get a thrill, enjoyment and buzz and desire to keep proving why I’m manager of this club.”