Leeman ready to step up to the plate
GLENTORAN skipper Paul Leeman is no stranger to the soaring expectation levels that follow the Big Two club in their quest for silverware.
Success and trophies are a prerequisite when you join the Oval giants, and nothing less will be stomached by the faithful fans who grace Mersey Street – and further afield – on a weekly basis.
That's why Leeman is desperate to gatecrash Linfield's crusade for a fourth consecutive league title, and wrestle the Gibson Cup from the Windor Park trophy cabinet for the first time since 2005.
It's a massive challenge, but early indications are that the balance of power could be quickly shifting from south to east Belfast.
Linfield's dominance in local football has suffered an almighty dent in recent weeks, with four consecutive defeats that include two in the JJB Sports Premiership.
The depressing run of form has allowed Glentoran to steal a march at the top, leaving the Blues in the unfamiliar position of having to chase from behind.
Indeed, the Glens' rise to the summit has somehow been lost in the ether that is Linfield's somewhat disputed 'crisis'.
But for Leeman, the Oval skipper is happy to escape the media limelight.
"We have managed to get to the top of the league and are in the final of the Setanta Cup, but the press are still focusing on Linfield's recent results. But that's fine by us," Leeman said.
"Linfield is such a big club that it is understandable that there will be a lot of attention on their four defeats. People say they are going through a sticky patch but I wouldn't write them off.
"Out of the four games they have lost only two were in the league, and I think if they win their fixture in hand they go top. So they are far from dead in the water."
Leeman admits the collapse of the Blues in recent weeks has been "surprising", but has tipped David Jeffrey's champions to bounce back to form.
"It has been a bit of a shock seeing them lose four games on the bounce, but they will come back stronger," he said.
"They are the champions and the team everyone has to beat. They have signed a few new players and it takes time to bed into the squad. But once they do Linfield will be a force to be reckoned with. They will come good again so I don't think they will be panicking."
Leeman admits the air of expectation on both Glentoran and Linfield adds its own level of pressure, but said it is up to the players to cope with the cauldron atmospheres at the Oval and Windsor Park.
"You are always under pressure when you play for a Big Two club. I know Glentoran is always under pressure to win trophies – it comes with the job," the defender added.
"If you don't pick up results and silverware then the fans get on your back. They then start to criticise. So it’s important you are always on top of your game at a club like this.
“There is such a high level of expectation, so you just want to keep the fans happy.”
Glentoran have the final of the Setanta Sports Cup looming on the horizon, but Leeman insists the best gift for the fans would be the Premiership title.
“That is the main aim for us,” he said.
“The Setanta Cup is a big bonus, and it would be a fantastic achievement to win that. But it is a tough ask.
“The league championship is our bread and butter and the one we want to win. That is our ultimate aim.”
The latest Premiership challenge for Alan McDonald’s men comes in the form of basement battlers Glenavon this afternoon.
The trip to Mourneview Park presents another testing challenge for the Glens, who are keen to return to winning ways following last week’s draw at Ballymena United.
“We managed to get 13 minutes of action against Glenavon on the opening day of the season before it was washed out,” Leeman added.
“So we don’t know too much about them.
“But it will be a tough game for us, and even though they are second from bottom in the league it will be a difficult task to try and get three points.
“You can never take anything for granted in this league, and every game you have to fight for points.”
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Weather for Belfast
Friday 25 May 2012
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