DUNGANNON Swifts mightn’t have been expecting to be involved in top-of-the-table clashes in mid-December – as it’s built into boss Rodney McAree’s psyche to be always looking over your shoulder.
Trailing by eight points, the Swifts host league leaders Linfield at Stangmore Park tonight, but McAree knows that the table can quickly have a very different complexion after the festive period.
The Swifts are the story of the season so far and while some more illustrious clubs are struggling to hold onto the coat tails of Linfield, it’s been left to one of the regarded minnows of the Irish Premiership to keep the title race alive.
“Listen, over the 20 games we’ve proved we can be competitive,” McAree said.
“That was our challenge at the start of the season – to be competitive in every game, and we’ve managed to pick up points along the way.
“I don’t think we’ll finish second. I think it would be a massive achievement if we finished in the top six because a lot of teams behind us who have big budgets and good players - but we just have to concentrate on ourselves and try and win the next one and try and keep it going for as long as we can.”
Even though they’re so high in the table, McAree is mindful that they suffered two 4-1 defeats – to Coleraine and Cliftonville – in recent weeks and knows that the Blues are capable of doing something similar.
“Linfield are sitting top of the table, and they are the best team in the league,” he said.
“All of a sudden, they’re getting players back – such as Sam Roscoe, Robbie McDaid, their key men are fit – so it’ll be a massive ask for us to get anything out of the game.
“We’re certainly going into the game believing we will get something from it. It’s not going to be easy. You could be finishing the match and being humbled somewhat so we can’t allow that to happen.
“Three games in a row we conceded 11 goals earlier in the campaign, but we found a way out of it and we’ve got results again. We wouldn’t have done that as well last season.”
They may be perched in second but the Swifts don’t have a prolific scorer among them. John McGovern, signed from Newry in the summer, leads the club’s goal-scoring charts with a modest five goals which shows their rise has been very much a collective effort.
“We have to realise what other teams can do in January [the transfer window] in comparison to what we might do,” McAree added.
“Without naming our key players, it’s important we keep them fit because they are hard to replace.
“But I believe in the players that we have. We’ve assembled a good squad. Our target is to stay in the league every season. We’ve put a decent number of points between ourselves and the bottom of the table and until you’re mathematically safe you can’t relax.
“Within a couple of games in this league you can find yourself eighth or ninth and all of a sudden you really are looking over the shoulder.”
The Swifts face Larne, Loughgall and Cliftonville over the Christmas period. Elsewhere, 11th place Glenavon host sixth place Crusaders in the other Irish Premiership clash on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Ballymena United and Glentoran will battle it out for the last semi-final place on offer in this season’s Bet McLean League Cup at the Showgrounds tonight, with Crusaders awaiting the winners.
The Glens are steadily improving under boss Declan Devine having recorded an impressive 3-1 win over Crusaders last Friday night.
Midfielder Fuad Sule said: “Friday’s win showed exactly what we’re capable of when we play with focus, intensity, and belief. To come from behind at a tough venue like Seaview and deliver such a commanding second-half performance speaks volumes about the character of this squad.
“We now turn our attention to Ballymena United, and it’s another opportunity to show what we’re capable of in cup competitions. It’s about carrying the momentum from Friday night, staying disciplined, and delivering a performance that keeps us moving forward.”