’Stute gaffer wary of Coagh

The Waterside men are on a fantastic run of late, winning their last three league games and sit four points behind leaders Ards in second place.

As for United they have only won once in the league this campaign, drew four and lost once in their opening six games, but the ’Stute gaffer is expecting a tough afternoon against the Tyrone men.

“Coagh have only lost one game, they have drawn a few of their games, but they are a good footballing side,” admitted Kee.

“I know Noel Mitchell very, very well and he helps run the team, he’s a good football man and they have got good club pedigree and they have a nice wee set-up at their ground and they take themselves very serious, they are a proud wee club, so I’m anticipating a difficult match.

“We won’t underestimate Coagh, we’ll give them the respect, but we want to keep our good form up, particularly our home form.”

Last weekend the Drumahoe club had a comfortable 3-0 success at Bangor without defender Paddy McLaughlin, who missed the trip to Clandeboye Park because a ankle problem, however he’s likely to return to the squad, as is Joe Gray, but Dean Jarvis misses out through suspension.

Kee believes giving the skipper a weekend off, will benefit his side this Saturday.

“We should have a full strength squad to pick from apart from Dean Jarvis who is suspended for two matches, but apart from that we should be at full strength.

“Hopefully Paddy will come back in, we decided to give him a week’s rest as his right ankle ligaments are a bit weak, after the Glentoran match going to extra-time and the weakness which he has around the problem it just didn’t come around right in time for the Bangor game, but hopefully he’ll be OK this week.

“Paddy is obviously captain and has been very instrumental to what we are doing, he’s a good leader and sets good examples to players, so when you don’t have him on the pitch, you are a wee bit worried at times, but I think the teams development is coming on quite well now.

“Joe Gray might be 50/50, unfortunately his knee has swollen up after the Limavady match and that’s why he didn’t make the Bangor game, but he could be back and we would probably look to include him in these types of games.

“I think there is a more rounded group, it has taken a bit of time, but they understand what it is now to win football matches, a bit better and we have got a bit more steel in us.

“The fact that we haven’t conceded in our last three league games is pleasing, that didn’t happen a lot last year, we are now actually starting to score a couple at the other end so I feel that at both ends of the pitch we are getting good improvements.”