Cooper loving life at Coleraine

He was the stand-out player in a title-winning Linfield team last season, but Joel Cooper believes his game is improving since his summer switch to the Showgrounds.

Scorer of the winning goal on the opening day against Larne, the attacking midfielder has gone on to net four times, just one behind Crusaders' Fraser Bryden in the goal scoring charts.

And he will be looking to add to his tally when early pacesetters Glentoran visit Ballycastle Road for a top of the table clash on Friday night.

It promises to be a game for the ages in front of an expectant sell-out crowd and the BBC cameras.

"They've improved massively from last year and they've made some very shrewd signings," said Cooper of Friday's opponents in his pre-match press conference.

"I think they'll be right up there. They're definitely in with a good chance and they'll fancy themselves as much as ever.

"Glentoran is a massive club and they'll be expecting to win. It's the same as Linfield – you're expected to win, that doesn't change whether you're playing for the Glens or Linfield.

"It would breed so much confidence in this group if we were able to get a result but, again, it's three points, the same as when you play anybody. For us it's just another game where we look to get three points.

"It wouldn't matter who was coming here on Friday night; we prepare the same way and go into it hoping to get the three points," he added.

The last two remaining unbeaten teams in the top flight, both have shown enough already to suggest that they can be considered serious challengers for the Gibson Cup this time around.

And Cooper believes his experience of picking up a winners' medal last season can help his new team-mates to realise their full potential.

"It comes from winning," he said, when asked whether there is a particular mindset associated with title-winning teams.

"I think you seen it with Larne - the first league title's the hardest.

"Winning breeds that mentality. We've a lot of winners in our team so, hopefully, that can breed through the boys that haven't been able to win some trophies.

"Linfield's history has been winning, the Glens' history has been winning and that breeds through the club.

"I think for us to get there we need to win. It's easy saying you need to win but that's where that mentality comes from. All we can do is prepare properly and take each game as it comes.

"I didn't come here for a jolly-up, I came here to try and be successful and push the club forward.

"If I can do that and help the boys in the changing room and the young lads to know what it takes to win then hopefully that can help.

"There's other lads in the changing room, too. There's a few that have been very successful so it's important that we set standards and help the younger lads and the ones that haven't get to where they need to be."

That togetherness between players and staff has been evident in the opening weeks of the season, driven by manager Ruadhri Higgins and his staff who, Cooper says, leave no stone unturned in their preparation for games.

"Everyone's done their bit to make sure that it's right for match day. I think the standards they've set through the group have been immense and I think the boys have really improved from that. I think myself has improved slightly and I hope that continues.

"I think the way I look at a game now, I look at it slightly differently. We play a slightly different way and I think, as a footballer, to see another style of play can only help you improve.

"I think I have done that and that's another reason why I made the move, to see a different style of play in a different football. I've been really enjoying it."