Glentoran boss Declan Devine offers mid-season verdict ahead of acid test

Declan Devine says he has seen enough from Glentoran to know they can deliver on the big stage, but accepts inconsistency is plaguing the Oval outfit this season.

They head into Friday night's derby showdown with Linfield labouring in seventh spot in the Premiership table, 11 points behind the Blues and having played a game more.

Last week's 2-0 defeat to Portadown was further evidence of the rollercoaster season Devine is enduring on Mersey Street, but last month's 3-1 success over Linfield at Windsor Park is a timely reminder of what his side can do.

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Now he wants them to deliver on a more regular basis.

Asked to give his season verdict so far, Devine said: "Probably inconsistent. There have been a lot of good performances, and a couple of games we are really disappointed with.

"It is a really tight league where standards have really improved. There are no easy games and everyone is more than capable of beating each other on their day.

"It really hasn't been a surprise to me. I knew a lot of teams had strengthened. And I have consistently said that every team in this league is a threat and can produce a match-winning performance.

"We are obviously disappointed in last week's performance and result. It was a week that started well with an impressive away win at Glenavon. We then got into a final on Tuesday night which was a real plus, but it has been a mixed bag from us.

"We are very much in transition this year. We knew that from the offset with a lot of players leaving, and new players coming in.

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"We are fighting for consistency, that's what we are aiming for. And trying to stay in the mix like every other club."

While fans demand instant results, new managers also seek tangible evidence of progress being made on and off the pitch.

Devine accepts wins and points are paramount at a club like Glentoran, but says there will be a period of transition following a significant turnover of players in the summer.

"Results are of the utmost importance. We have had a huge turnover of players and we are trying to improve the standards behind the scenes. Professionalism, and how we go about our jobs on a daily basis," he said.

"When I came in I knew there would be things needing tweaked and there would be a period where we had to recruit, and we had to make sure we brought in the right players. I have been very pleased with the players who have come in, and also the players who have been here.

"It is very much about consistency for us. We know we are a match for anyone on our day, and there has been very little in the games we've lost.

"We have to strive every day to get better and improve as the season evolves. And that's what we have to do on a daily basis."

One area Devine may also want to improve is Glentoran's home form. Heading into Friday's visit of Linfield, the Glens have picked up just three wins from nine league games at their East Belfast home this season.

How does he turn that form around?

"We keep working hard. That's the bottom line," Devine said.

"We have had some really good performances at the Oval. I think it has been well documented we haven't put a couple of teams to bed when the opportunity was there for us.

"There were a couple of penalties which would have got us better results. It is a work in progress, but we believe we have a group of players who can put a run of results together.

"We have a very young squad but we have talented and experienced players as well. We know we have to strive every day to get better, and it doesn't matter if the game is at the Oval or elsewhere.

"I am confident in this group of players that we can get a run of results and get back in the mix again."

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