Cliftonville may have gone three games without a win, but Paddy McLaughlin has been buoyed by his players’ character on their travels in recent weeks.
The Reds have taken two points from nine following a recent 1-0 defeat at Linfield and subsequent 0-0 and 1-1 draws at Coleraine and Larne respectively.
But they are still two points clear at top of the table and Saturday's clash with Ballymena United ends a gruelling run of five straight away games in all competitions.
“We’ve almost forgotten what Solitude looks like, so it’ll be good to be back,” said McLaughlin. “It’s been a tough run of games, but fair play to the boys for coming through it.
“The Linfield defeat was our only blip and for the rest of November, I thought the boys were superb against a number of the toughest teams in the division.
“A lot of people might say Linfield, Larne and Coleraine will be fighting for the top-three this season alongside Glentoran, so it has been a tough run.
“To go to Coleraine last Saturday and then Larne in difficult conditions on Tuesday night... to come away with a couple of valuable points from two tough venues, I have to be pleased.”
Ballymena are one of only two teams alongside Linfield to inflict a league defeat in 16 games on Cliftonville this season, beating the Reds 1-0 win at the Showgrounds in October.
And McLaughlin is wary of a repeat as the Sky Blues travel to North Belfast on the back of back-to-back wins over Crusaders and Warrenpoint Town.
“Any team managed by David Jeffrey will be a tough opponent and that’s what we’re preparing for, so we’ll have to be at our maximum,” he said.
SATURDAY'S GAMES (all 3pm): Carrick Rangers v Dungannon Swifts; Cliftonville v Ballymena United; Coleraine v Linfield; Glenavon v Crusaders; Glentoran v Portadown; Larne v Warrenpoint Town.
