Paddy McLaughlin Post Match Interview 6pg3q

Portadown 1-0 Glenavon 42316m

After today’s Mid Ulster Derby Paddy McLaughlin spoke to Glenavon Media. Here’s a transcript of the interview. 641nm

Glenavon Media (GM): Paddy how was your first league game back, was it good to be back in the dugout?

Paddy McLaughlin (PMcL): Yeah it was great to be back at it and in the thick of things again. It’s been a whirlwind week but I’ve missed it so it’s great to be back. It was great to be involved in a derby game and the fans were excellent today. Unfortunately we couldn’t come away with the result we or they would have wanted but there’s definitely something to build on.

GM: It was a close game with narrow margins. Do you feel like we were unlucky today?

PMcL: I thought at we played some decent football today and had some good ages and spells of possession. We just couldn’t quite find the end result and get the fans the goal and ultimately the point the lads and the fans deserved today. It’s disappointing but as I said it’s a base to start from. They (Portadown) scored with the first chance of the game and, apart from a chance at the end when we were chasing the game, which they should have scored to kill the game off, they didn’t threaten to score too many more. We worked Aaron McCarey a few times but we just need to be more clinical to pick up the points we need to climb the table.

GM: As good as the play was it’s still only 2 goals in the last 9 games in all competitions. Does that concern you? And how do we change that?

PMcL: Naturally you’re concerned when you create chances and don’t score. Our play in the games I’ve been in charge has been good in the build up but the finishing hasn’t quite been there. As I said we need to be more clinical in front of goal. It’s something we’ll need to work on.

GM: Barney McKeown has been captain for the two games you’ve been in charge. He’s been close to, if not actually, our player of the season thus far. What was the thinking behind giving him the armband?

PMcL: Barney is a warrior. He wears his heart on his sleeve and embodies everything we’re looking for. He’s a natural leader and is proud to wear to play for Glenavon and wears the badge on his chest with pride. He had a good game today. As did Calum Birney who’s only coming back from a career-threatening injury. I also thought Peter Campbell and Jack Malone were good as well. There’s lots of quality in the squad and it’s my job to help them show that so we can gain some momentum.

GM: What did you make of the atmosphere the fans created today?

PMcL: I thought it was immense. They got behind the team and sang from start to finish. If we can keep them behind us and they keep giving the they did today then I’ve no doubt we’ll move forward and improve our position. There’s no doubt we’re going to need them. That’s a given.

GM: Looking forward, we have Coleraine at home next week in your first home game in charge. What’s your thoughts going into that one?

PMcL: We all know there’s now easy games in this league and next week is certainly no different. Dean Shiels sets up his teams well and they play good football so we’re going to need to be at our best to beat them. That’s our aim and we’ll work towards that in training this week.

Next week Glenavon take on Coleraine at home in the Sports Direct Premiership. Keep an eye out on social media for more information and a link to tickets.