Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NATURAL BORN THRILLERS
Knowles hails impact of management duo as Braidmen chase league and cup double
BALLYMENA United midfielder James Knowles hasn’t been surprised by the club’s renaissance under David Jeffrey and loyal No2 Bryan Mclaughlin.
The Sky Blues have been transformed since Jeffrey’s appointment in 2016 and have emerged as this season’s surprise package in the title race. Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Institute, the Braidmen lie second in the Danske Bank Premiership, six points off leaders Linfield with a game i n hand.
They also have a Betmclean League Cup final to look forward to against David Healy’s Blues at Windsor Park next weekend.
Knowles, who has impressed since arriving from Glentoran in the summer, said: “I honestly think it comes natural to David and Bryan.
“They are born winners and everyone knows that in our changing room and I think that breeds a real confidence in the players.”
A sign of Knowles’ belief in Jeffrey’s, right,
Sky Blue project is the fact he joined the club on a two year deal – his
FIRST ever two year contract in the Irish League.
He said: “I played for David when he was still Linfield boss and it’s brilliant to work under him again at Ballymena.
“That’s why I agreed to sign a two year deal in summer – my first one since being back home – and so far it has been absolutely brilliant.
“We’re sitting second in the table and we’re excited to be in this position because everyone knows we’re punching above our weight. The challenge now is to try and keep it going.”
While Institute have endured a traumatic week with the loss of manager Paddy Mclaughlin to Cliftonville and star striker Michael Mccrudden downing tools, Know les is bracing himself for a “tough test” at the Brandywell.
He said: “It won’t be easy because the Brandywell pitch is massive and you know they’ll play football and test your legs. “We won 2-1 there in October but it was a very tough game and we’re preparing for more of the same.” On leaders Linfield, Knowles believes the summer recruitment of Joel Cooper, Daniel Kearns and Michael O’connor was a masterstroke by Blues boss Healy. “Last season they maybe missed Paul Smyth, so bringing in the likes of Cooper, Kearns and O’connor injected a lot of pace,” he said.
“They’re a big threat and they also don’t concede a lot of goals, so in defence and attack this year they have been outstanding.”