Lisburn Distillery are ‘raring to go’

It seems like just a couple of weeks ago that Wright’s men were rejoicing having won the Co-Operative Cup, their first major trophy in 17 years, however, with the new season ready to start, Wright says his expectations of the team are the same as they were last year - to avoid a relegation battle.

“Everybody is looking forward to the first game. We’ve had a tough pre-season, the team have worked extremely hard, but to be truthful, no manager knows how the team will perform in the first competitive match” he said.

“Ballymena will be tough. They have signed a lot of players, spent a lot of money, and they have scored a lot of goals in pre-season, but that will count for nothing when you are involved in a competitive match.”

Wright said he wanted to see the Whites “improve their level of consistency” this time around.

“I want us to maintain our good away record, it was our home form that let us down badly last season and I’d like to see us improve that.

“Hopefully the lads will be raring to go on Saturday.”

Speaking about his targets for the season ahead, Wright explained: “The targets I set last year were basically to stay out of a relegation battle and to try to take each game as it comes, and that’s what I’ll look for this year.

“With the best will in the world we are not going to win the league. That is not being defeatist, but we just don’t have the resources. I am looking for more consistent performances, particularly at home, and if we can do that we’ll get more points than last year. I want us to finish fourth and if we can be consistent, that is something we are capable of.”

He added: “One thing we must realise is that no matter what we did last season, that counts for nothing now.”

With some senior members of the squad, such as Glenn Ferguson, hanging up their boots, Wright’s side is a different prospect this time out.

“We have a young squad, less experienced, but we have a good squad, and we managed to get David Larmour in at the last minute, who is an experienced striker.”

Some would say the Whites don’t have an easy start, with Ballymena first up at home, followed by a trip to Portadown and the visit of Champions Linfield before August is over. Wright, however, says those teams don’t have an easy start either, facing Lisburn Distillery.

“It doesn’t really matter who we face or when we face them, this league has proven over the last two seasons anyone can beat any team.

“Our worst record last season was Donegal Celtic and they finished 11th. We have to play them all at some point.

“People would say we have a tough start, but Ballymena have a tough start facing us.

“Obviously every manager wants to get that first win as quickly as possible, and we want to get points on the board as soon as we can.”

• Linfield will begin the defence of their title with a trip to Mourneview Park to face Glenavon.

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