Linfield boss David Healy believes his players deserve more respect for their performances this season.
The Blues sit on the cusp of a 53rd league title following Friday night's 1-0 win over Ballymena United .
Andrew Waterworth's goal sealed the victory, leaving the Blues 12 points clear with just four games remaining.
Their goal difference is superior than their rivals, making the race for the Gibson Cup effectively over.
Speaking after the game, Healy fired a broadside at the critics who have had a pop at his team during the season.
And he believes his at-times maligned squad deserve more respect.
"The players were written off last year. I know some people had a pop at us," Healy said.
"Some people have been more than critical of me, but I don't mind because I have no feelings. Maybe we will get some praise now.
"The club doesn't expect praise, the club moves on. But the players deserve some praise. They read the negative comments.
"I don't need it, but the players have earned it. That's something like 25 clean sheets this season, we have conceded eight or nine goals away from home this season which is remarkable.
"I have fought tooth and nail since I was 15 or 16 to prove people wrong. I had a decent career, I was a decent player. I had an opportunity to play at the clubs I played at, and to play international football which I loved.
"So I was fortunate.
Linfield boss David Healy hits out at fan abuse following win over Ballymena United
"But my players deserve credit. I read a lot, and I hear a lot, about other clubs doing this and that. We have the best team in the league this season, in my eyes.
"The table doesn't lie, the goals we scored don't lie, the clean sheets we had don't lie.
"I said it after the League Cup final when people said 'lucky Linfield', but you can't be lucky keeping 25 clean sheets. The players achieved that."
Linfield can complete their title crusade next Saturday when they take on outgoing champions Crusaders at Windsor Park.
"We have the opportunity to go and win the league next Saturday and that's what we will set out to do," Healy added.
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"The win against Ballymena was a big one. A hard-earned win. The players we have, and the standard they have given us this season has been incredible.
"I am extremely proud of every single one of them.
"Ballymena threw everything at us and couldn't score against us. That's a big credit to the players in the dressing room. Ballymena have achieved a lot this season, and we knew we had to dig deep.
"We withstood the pressure."
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