AVON IT OUR WAY

Mitch: Let others grab headlines

STAR striker Andrew Mitchell is more than happy that Glenavon are sneaking under the radar this season.

Gary Hamilton’s men lie second in the table heading into tonight’s high profile clash with champions Linfield at Mourneview Park.

But while the Lurgan club has enjoyed a buoyant start to the season, the likes of league leaders Coleraine, Crusaders and David Healy’s Blues have all attracted a brighter media spotlight.

Mitchell, who has bagged 11 goals since joining Glenavon from Dungannon Swifts in the summer, said: “We’re happy enough going about our business quietly and not being hyped up.

“We’re happy to go week by week and do what we’re doing, because you can’t get too far ahead of yourselves in this league.”

A win would ease Glenavon to within two points of Coleraine at the summit, but Mitchell insists it is far too early to toss the Lurgan men into the title equation.

“We’ve done well, but it’s the old cliché, no trophies are handed out in November,” said Mitchell. “We have a busy Christmas schedule coming up and that’s what we’re focused on.

“There’s a lot of football to be played before the New Year. We have to just see where we are come February or March and push on from there.”

While Linfield have lost six of their last nine outings in all competitions, Mitchell points to the Blues’ 2-1 win over Coleraine last Saturday as a reminder of their quality.

It got the Big Two giants, who lie six points below Glenavon in fifth place, back to winning ways after back-toback losses to Ballymena and Crusaders in the league and League Cup. Mitch- ell said: “Linfield will take great confidence from that win over Coleraine. Yes, they’ve had patchy form recently, but all teams go through that at some stage.

“Linfield have quality all over the pitch and they are champions for a reason. They still have a core group of players and added well in the summer, so we expect a very tough challenge.

“It’s a massive game and hopefully there’ll be a great atmosphere.”

While Linfield have struggled for momentum, Glenavon have won 10 and drawn two of their last 13 games in all competitions.

Mitchell said: “There have been some special performances from Mark Sykes, Bobby Burns and Andrew Doyle, but we’re also playing for the shirt and each other. There’s no other secret to it.”