Hard Points!

Ballymena United start the Dankse Bank Premier league campaign tomorrow, with a hard game against Warrenpoint Town, hereafter known as the Point. We played the Point four times last season and the record shows that we had two victories apiece, but what the record doesn't show, is that our two victories came about as result of them playing at least half of 90 mins with ten men, having a player red carded in both games. When we had both 11 apiece, the Point won by 1-0 victories, so you see its going to be a tight game tomorrow.

To make matters worse for the home team, the referee appointed is none other than our old friend Colin Burns, who never gives us anything but his cold shoulder and seems to let the opposing team away with murder. Added to that, our longest serving player, Archie, is struggling to shake off an injury and has to be in the doubtful category. Does Fergie introduce latest recruit, Kyle McVey, to play alongside JT, or does he call on old reliable Cookie Munster? Mark McCullagh, will be needed to fill in at rightback for the suspended Tony Kane and Mike Ruddy, will be needed as back-up for Steeky McBride.

Spike was hinting at a change of tactics, this season, instead of 4,3,3, he wanted to play a 4,4,2 formation and two men up front, Darboy and Tipton. But for that to happen we at 'Sport think he would need to introduce at least one, 'out and out', wide man and we will need to play a tackler alongside Captain Jenks. With Thommo serving a one game ban as well as the afore mentioned Tony, we wont be surprised if Spike, nominates a midfield of Gawley (or Ally), Alan D, Jenks and Cush. This, in our opinion, would hand the initiative to the Point and could result in an embarrassing defeat in the first game of the season.

Better he pick Sparky or the even much maligned Gavin, they don't offer much going forward, but they aren't afraid to get stuck in where necessary, Gavin, maybe a wee bit too much. But this is an improvement to either Alan D or Captain Jenks, who couldn't tackle a fish supper. They're great at going forward, making forceful runs and backing up the two strikers, but they leave our midfield wide open for the opposition. Leave the midfield open tomorrow and we will pay a heavy price, keep it tight and maybe, just maybe, we can sneak a result, but its going to be close, so come Sky Blues, lets shag those Warrenpointers!