David Jeffrey clear Portadown squad 'better than what they're doing' amid search for first Premiership points
Portadown manager David Jeffrey insists his squad are “better than what they’re doing at this moment in time” – but remains hopeful the tide will turn as the Shamrock Park outfit continue to search for their first Premiership points of the season.
The Ports currently sit bottom of Northern Ireland’s top-flight after five consecutive defeats to Carrick Rangers, Dungannon Swifts, Crusaders, leaders Coleraine and Cliftonville, while they were also beaten by rivals Glenavon in the Mid Ulster Cup.
It doesn’t get any easier for Jeffrey’s men as they prepare to host reigning league champions Larne on Saturday before welcoming his former club Linfield next weekend.
Only Bangor (12) have conceded more goals at this stage of the campaign than Portadown (11), who have also failed to score in three of their five matches up to this point.
It remains tight at the bottom with Limavady United also still without a point while Bangor have collected just one, meaning a positive run could help Portadown propel themselves up the Premiership table.
Jeffrey has full faith his side can produce better than their current levels and has challenged Portadown's players to eradicate errors.
"It’s very important that they continue to be encouraged, continue to be helped, continue to be supported,” Jeffrey told the club's media channel. “They know themselves they’re not what they’re producing on the pitch, they know themselves they’re better than what they’re doing at this moment in time.
"It’s one thing thinking that and having that opinion, the baseline is what happens in 90 minutes on the pitch.
"We will continue to encourage, continue to work as hard as we possibly can.
"Sooner or later it has to click for us, we have to stop making the errors we’re making, we have to communicate better, we have to finish better, it’s as simple and as basic as that.”