Linfield boss David Healy fires warning to players, and there's history to back it up
David Healy says he has already warned his players of a Carrick Rangers backlash at Windsor Park on Saturday.
Stuart King's visitors sit rock bottom of the Irish Premiership following Tuesday's 4-1 defeat to Ballymena United. They have now lost six league games on the bounce following an opening day win against Glenavon.
They will be huge underdogs to take anything from Saturday's trip to the Blues, but Healy says history shows they are a team more than capable of bouncing back when the chips are down.
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Last season Carrick suffered a 9-0 defeat to Crusaders in a midweek game, but responded with a spirited 3-3 draw against Linfield four days later.
Healy told Linfield TV: "I remember texting Stuartie (King) last season after they were beaten 9-0 at Crusaders. They then came to Windsor and drew 3-3. So I have pre-warned the players already. Teams, players automatically get a lift when they come here.
"No doubt it maybe looks daunting for Carrick on paper, but I have no doubt Stuartie being the type of lad he is, and the type of experienced team he has, if we think we can just turn up, it won't happen.
"We have to make sure we're on the front foot. And we have to capitalise and finish off some of the balls that are played into the box."
Linfield remain top of the Premiership following Tuesday's goalless stalemate at Solitude. That draw followed last Saturday's 1-0 defeat to champions Larne.
Reflecting on the game against Cliftonville, he added: "It was a hard-fought, edgy game. We put a lot into the game, so did Cliftonville. Two good teams going at it.
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"There wasn't much in the game, like Saturday, so I am pleased we didn't find ways to concede. And we had chances at the other end, and with a bit of composure and quality we could have snatched all three points tonight."
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