Coleraine looking to carry on from second half against Linfield

Coleraine assistant coach Kevin Deery is expecting the club to take confidence gained from their second half comeback against Linfield in midweek into this weekend's game against Glenavon.

The Bannsiders rallied after half-time to score twice in the second 45 minutes and earn a point against the defending champions in front of a sold-out Showgrounds under the lights.

Saturday's home game against the Lurgan Blues maybe doesn't have quite the same allure but the experienced Deery believes the players have the professionalism to cope.

"It's a point against Linfield, that's what it was," he said.

"The manner we did it was good so they should take confidence from that, that attitude to come from 2-0 down.

"I would expect them to be really professional.

"The crowd, obviously, it's a bit different this weekend. I think the floodlights, the full house does add that extra dimension to a game but we're paid professionals and you get the same three points beating Glenavon as you do beating Linfield.

"You can't sleep in this job, you have to bring all your professionalism and all your drive.

"If we're at it, our energy is hard to cope with and I think you seen that in the second half against Linfield, I think if the game goes on a bit longer we win the game. Energy levels is what we need to bring - and that desire.

"It would be a massive three points for us if we can get them so that's our motivation, from staff down to the players.

"But we have a motivated group that we're confident can go again," he added.

The midweek point was enough to keep the Stripes on top of the league and help reinforce an enviable home record - just three defeats in the last 14 at Ballycastle Road.

In contrast, Saturday's visitors Glenavon are enduring a miserable run, particularly away from Mourneview Park.

They have picked up no points on their travels, have found the net just twice away from home and boast just one away win in their last 12 on the road.

However, they have shown signs of improvement under new manager Michael O'Connor who, of course, was assistant to Dean Shiels during his period in charge of Coleraine last season.

"We had to go to the 90^th minute against them down there to get the win earlier in the season and that was after them having five or six defeats," continued Deery.

"They managed to get a win against Carrick and a good performance against Dungannon as well, so we know they'll have a game plan coming here.

"They're a lot more resolute and they look a lot more strong defensively so we'll have to be at our best.

"But we've shown that if we're right we can really hurt teams so our message is – we've managed to get ourselves a massive point on Tuesday but we have to really, really bring the energy on Saturday and get three points because it's massive for us.

"It's a different game from Tuesday so the team we put out will be on merit and what we think can beat Glenavon.

"I don't think they'll play probably as direct and as forceful as Linfield so we have to select the right players that we feel will win us the points," he added.

"We have fantastic competition for places at the moment and the group has looked really strong the past number of weeks.

"I don't think we got the credit – going back a few weeks we were depleted, we probably had a couple of young lads on the bench.

"We've managed to get players back at an important time so we'll look forward to really going at it on Saturday and getting the points."