’Stute to host double header

The Waterside men, who have had an impressive run of form during pre-season will be coming up against a side who have already played in the Europa League this summer and because of that Kee feels it’s the perfect clash for his boys, who then face Derry City next Tuesday night, at Drumahoe (KO 7.30pm).

“We need these types of games because they come with an intensity and velocity in their play,” admitted Kee.

“They’ll be hard, strong, physical, quick and they’ll play, so they’ll play with intensity and that’s what we need.

“We need our games to be intensive because I want to see who can cope with that.

“Derry City next week will also be exactly what we need, as they will play with intensity and I will play a 50/50 team in that game as well, just to see what players are ready for that challenge.”

On Saturday, the Drumahoe club lost narrowly to neighbours Coleraine, after Curtis Allen’s second half penalty separated the sides, but Kee wasn’t that disappointed with the result.

“Lets face it Coleraine is a decent calibre Premiership club, Cliftonville is the same and those games should stand us in good stead for the start of the season.

“We were a wee bit disjointed in the first half and we had people who weren’t playing with the same intensity, as what they (Coleraine) were playing.

“Now we have a certain style and try to play a certain game, so if people drop their level and takes wee breaks then it won’t work, we had a chat about it at half-time and we certainly improved after the break.

“We need players to be proactive rather than reactive, we need players to be getting onto the ball, being positive and working hard and you need nine or ten players, playing with regular consistency, if you want to be a successful team.”

With just over a week away to the first game of the season at Carrick Rangers, Kee admits there are still one or two places up for grabs in the starting line-up for that opening day clash.

“At the end of the day all that I’m interested in really and honestly is the Carrick game, because you don’t get any points for the Cliftonville match, so it’s massively important that I know what my starting team is for that match,” he added.

“At the minute I have a fair idea, there might be one or two tweaks here and there and there is also one or two players who we are looking at and we are being respectful and getting them game time.

“However those players have to see what type of level I’m looking for and if they don’t see it then it will be hard for me to put them into the squad.”

The ’Stute manager is also hopeful of continuing to strengthen his squad, with a couple of young players who have been involved in the recent Milk Cup, coming into his plans.

“We are talking to a few players who were involved in the Milk Cup last week,” he added.

“Aaron Patterson is a young striker who we rate highly, he had a very good Milk Cup and there are two or three other Irish League clubs interested in him, but he has committed to coming to Drumahoe, he was going to be on the bench against Coleraine, but he felt a bit tired so we didn’t use him.

“We are reviewing the situation with young Jamie Glackin, then there are the likes of Tom Carlin, Corey Hegarty and James McClay are all players that qualify for youth teams yes, but they are going to be on the fringe of the first team squad this season, and there is no reason why they can’t play and make an impact because they are all good young quality players.”