Dean Smith is confident his Loughgall outfit can turn “positive performances” into points when they travel to the Showgrounds to face Coleraine in today’s Sports Direct Premiership tie.
Manager Smith has watched on as his side have lost four of their opening seven games of the new campaign, leaving them languishing second from bottom in 11th spot.
After they were dispatched 2-0 by Glentoran on Tuesday night Smith feels he has seen enough improvement in the performance of his players in recent weeks to reassure him that better times may be just around the corner.
“I was disappointed with the Glentoran result, but definitely not with the performance,” he said.
“I thought we were really good in patches, and we matched them for long periods of the game.
“It’s an individual error for the first goal and the second one they get a wee bit lucky. I think it takes a deflection.
“Other than that, I think we were really good. We were much, much better than what we have been over the past number of weeks, and that gives me a lot of confidence going into the Coleraine game,” he continued.
“There are no easy games in this league and we will be going about our business in the right manner, do our due diligence on them and go down to give it a go and enjoy it.”
Smith will be without striker Nathaniel Ferris for the game. The 15-goal man has been carrying a hamstring strain for a number of weeks and had to limp out of action once more on Tuesday which looks set to keep him sidelined this afternoon.
Coleraine have had an indifferent start to the season, drawing four of their seven outings as they adjust to full-time football.
There was a sense of deflation amongst the squad when they conceded an injury-time equaliser to Portadown at Shamrock Park and they will be welcoming home advantage today as they attempt to get all three points and improve upon their current sixth-placed standing.
Last season, it was Coleraine who managed to win two of the sides’ three meetings, with only one of the games being decided by more than the odd goal.
It may take another leap in performance levels at the Showgrounds from Loughgall if it is going to be anything other than a home win for the Bannsiders.