Stephen Fallon insists Linfield will take nothing for granted in tonight’s Big Two showdown at Windsor Park – even though rivals Glentoran are rooted firmly to the bottom of the table.
The Blues, 16 points above the Glens in the Premiership table, approach the shootout with six wins from six starts, whereas, Mick McDermott’s much-changed side have managed to pocket merely two points from four games.
Fallon, however, knows nothing is ever straightforward when these teams meet.
“Although their league position doesn’t indicate it, Glentoran are a good side,” said the former Swansea midfielder.
“With the amount of players they have signed, things will turn around for them at some stage, but we have to make sure it’s not against us.
“All we can do is keep looking after ourselves and not worry about anyone else.
“We don’t mind the Tuesday - Saturday games, we have a big squad to deal with it. But we can’t afford to look too far down the line, we must focus on the next game in this league – that’s what the gaffer tells us.
“Games don’t come much bigger than a Belfast Big Two derby. It’s always an important fixture because not only are points at stake but the bragging rights for fans.
“We’ll certainly not be taking any notice of the table. We may be top and Glentoran at the bottom – but that means nothing.”
Fallon, who is now one of the first names on David Healy’s team sheet, believes there are a number of teams capable of mounting a title challenge – including Glentoran.
“There are so many good teams in the League. The likes of Coleraine, Larne, Crusaders, Cliftonville and Glentoran will all be jockeying for places at the top of the table come the end of the season.
“That’s why we pay no attention to the table at this time. It may be boring, but we use the cliché, one game at a time.”
Oval manager McDermott insists his boys will be ready for what will be their biggest test of the campaign.
“We can turn things around and get back up the table,” he said. “There is no doubt in my mind about that. I know what we have in terms of player quality and the personnel we have.
“I know the belief the team has. As I always say, there is no point in getting too high when you win and too low when you lose. You’ve got to remain stable, week in, week out.
“I fully believe results will turn for us, sooner rather than later.”
