New boss Ferguson keen to get cracking

GLENN Ferguson will this week get down to business in earnest after his appointment as Ballymena United manager.

The former Linfield great watched Saturday’s 2-2 with Donegal Celtic from the stands before officially taking charge yesterday (Monday).

And it promises to be a baptism of fire for the ex-Northern Ireland international as he prepares his side to take on the table-topping Blues at the Showgrounds this Saturday (3pm).

“A lot will probably be made of it because myself, Norman (Kelly, coach) and Lee (Doherty, assistant manager) all played for Linfield, not so long ago either, but it’s just another game and another three points.

“You don’t get any more for beating Linfield that you do for beating Carrick, so we’ll go out with the same attitude.

“Albeit teams like to raise their game but we want them to raise in it every game, not just against the big teams.

“It’s a funny old game. When a player moves on, generally his next game is against the team he’s just left, so for me to go up against Linfield in my first match and Distillery (where Ferguson left his job as assistant manager to take over at Ballymena) in my next is just typical.”

Ferguson admits he is under no illusions about the magnitude of the task facing him in rebuilding the club’s fortunes, which was starkly illustrated by familiar defensive failings in Saturday’s game.

“We knew Ballymena could score goals – unfortunately it’s also pretty evident that they can concede.

“You need players putting their heads on the line which didn’t happen on Saturday.

“Going forward we’re going to have to work hard.

“There were a couple of players on Saturday who, I thought, wanted to play on their own terms which doesn’t happen.

“Players will be given instructions that we want them to do – we’re not ruling with a rod of iron but there are instructions that you want players to carry out and if they don’t, they won’t be in the team.

“This week it will be a case of getting in, training, assessing who’s fit and not fit and what changes can be made.

“There are a couple of players who should be available who can add something to the squad.

“Hopefully we can get into the transfer window and get a couple of players brought in to freshen things up.

“I’m meeting a couple of Board members on Tuesday night and we’ll see what is available to offer people.

“I’ve spoken to two or three players already but unfortunately, so have other clubs.

“It’ll take a week or two to come in and have a look round and assess what we have here.

“We’ll sit down every night if we have to, assess who can do a job and why can’t, and if we have to try and shift people on to get people in we’ll do that,” added Glenn.

Saturday’s match against Linfield will be sponsored by Paramount Supporters’ Club, while the match ball will be sponsored by United sports therapist Gordon McCartney’s Hollies injury clinic, based at the Showgrounds.

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