Andrew Mitchell the Larne midfield anchor in eye of attacking storm

In a Larne side built around fluidity, Andrew Mitchell stands as the foundation at the heart of midfield.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Having been handed a first start of the season in the weekend win over Portadown, Mitchell will now be hoping to help extend Larne’s perfect start when Warrenpoint Town visit Inver Park.

Mitchell’s disciplined display operates as the anchor allowing his attacking team-mates to shine.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“My role in this Larne team and the way we play suits me to a tee,” said Mitchell. “I do have the freedom but I can put a bit of bite in when needed and try to get on the ball as much as I can to dictate play.

Andrew Mitchell (left) on patrol in the Larne midfield. Pic by PressEye Ltd.Andrew Mitchell (left) on patrol in the Larne midfield. Pic by PressEye Ltd.
Andrew Mitchell (left) on patrol in the Larne midfield. Pic by PressEye Ltd.

“But as long as we win it’s my weekend happy irrespective of my role.

“We play 4-3-3 and I’m the one that sits and protects but also try to get on the ball and dictate.

“That’s what I work all week to do and we break down my game and look at the video analysis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s a role I’ve played across my career, it’s my position and where I want to play.

“The gaffer has brought in great players.

“I maybe joined Larne at a time there wasn’t the same competition for places - but that’s something I’ve been used to across my whole career at Rangers, Crusaders and Linfield all as teams competing with three or four in every position.

“So I’m used to the approach of you get a chance in the team, you try to keep the shirt.

“That’s the way it’s got to be in football, we all know that and it keeps you looking over your shoulder.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mitchell accepts maximum external returns have arrived for Larne over Coleraine and Portadown to date despite performances on the pitch short of the expected internal heights.

“We’ve had a talk in the changing room and ironed a few things out,” said Mitchell in the aftermath of the Ports victory. “Now we will get on the training ground, we work hard and the coaching staff will point out those grey areas in our game.

“We will analyse everything but know ourselves we let Portadown come back into that game...we are full-time so will break our game down and it’s our jobs as players to learn.

“It’s a big change playing European football then coming home for domestic football.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“As players we try not to get caught up in it...people may say there’s the hangover from Europe.

“But if someone said to me you’d win the first two games of the league season but struggle then you’d take their hand off.”

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you