Well there we go, wondered just how long it would take us to get into last season’s form. Dropping points against poor sides such as Lisburn Distillery is just not acceptable. I’ll have my doubts Portadown will slip up against the likes of Lisburn Distillery at this time of the season. Still all is not lost, we’re five points behind the Ports, it’ll be hard clawing back but its still early days. Portadown were very lucky to get a point of us when we played them in their back yard over a month ago. Wait till they come to Windsor and when injuries and suspensions hit them, then we’ll see things clearer.

Even though it meant Portadown going five points clear it was still great to see them do the damage to the Glens, looks like they won’t be doing the back to back champions thing afterall.. makes a change that..

Anyway, back to Linfield, I’ll start with the inclusion of Ryan McCann and ask why we even insisted in keeping him on after last season’s performances, the lad never looks interested and when in possession you can expect a stray pass, or a disastrous shot reminiscent of Paul Mooney back in the late eighties. The lad isn’t good enough to be at Linfield, and in no way should he be ahead of the likes of the vastly experienced Kenny Irons or Northern Ireland’s Young Player of the Year, Michael Gault.

Stuart King, another player that’s not good enough, last season he was placed on the transfer list along with Russell Kelly but was removed for apparently playing well towards the end of last season. I’m glad DJ saw something in him as I sure didn’t, he scored against Institute and celebrated his goal like a retard winning gold at the Special Olympics. He runs the line like a headless chicken, no common sense or knowledge of his whereabouts. If anything though he does give 100% but it’s not enough.

I think on Saturday we missed Phil Charnock, he’s a class act and adds a fair amount to the team. Pat Wall although was playing well is not missed, lets face it he’s nothing more than a cover at right back and now that Stephen Collier (although lacking match fitness) is back all is fine.

The rest I’m suitably happy with for now, Alan Mannus has improved greatly since Ex-Northern Ireland International goalkeeper Tommy Wright left us, Pat McShane is decent enough though I’d prefer the currently injured Darren Murphy in this position. Winkie and Noel are strong again. Picking playing the best football since his first weeks at the club, still not sure if he’s good enough though. Ferguson scoring the goals at the moment for us, I won’t complain. Morgan and Larmour both need more games and need to hit some kind of decent form.

Hopefully come January when the transfer window reopens, we will have atleast one new player on board, another striker wouldn’t go astray.

Anyway, until next time