Former Linfield star feels club need to 'circle the wagons' after shock Premiership start
Former Linfield goalkeeper Tommy Wright believes the Blues need to “rally around and circle the wagons” after their shock 3-0 Premiership defeat to Ballymena United on the opening day of the new Irish League season.
A double from ex-Linfield striker Chris McKee and Success Edogun’s effort ensured Ballymena picked up a first league win at Windsor Park in 22 years.
It was the dream start for Oran Kearney’s new-look Sky Blues, but a nightmare for Linfield with David Healy describing it as a “horror show”.
The pressure will only ramp up with the Blues hosting ‘Big Two’ rivals Glentoran on Saturday and Wright, who enjoyed two spells with Linfield in a successful playing career, says everyone at the club needs to stick together.
"They will have expected more,” said Wright on BBC Sportsound. “Going into the game, we’re saying about the noise around Linfield and they’ve not done enough in the transfer market when you consider the players they’ve lost.
"Europe was a big disappointment for them, but this will be a huge disappointment for David, the players and the fans.
"It’s a time for everybody to rally around and circle the wagons. There’s going to be criticism after this and it doesn’t get any easier because it’s a ‘Big Two’ game next weekend. That brings even more pressure.
"I think they (fans) understand the situation, but it’s really all about Ballymena.”
Current Northern Ireland U21 chief Wright also spent three years in charge of Ballymena after taking over in 2005 following a spell at Limavady United.
Kearney has been the busiest Premiership manager throughout the summer transfer window with double figures in terms of arrivals and exits.
The ex-Coleraine boss signed five players from Linfield – McKee, Charlie Allen, Josh Archer, David Walsh and Scot Whiteside all started in their weekend win at Windsor.
Kearney has compiled a star-studded squad which also includes the likes of former Larne midfielder Fuad Sule and Matthew Clarke.
Ballymena have finished eighth or below in each of the last seven seasons since ending the 2018/19 campaign in second and Wright says the challenge is to now build on their opening day delight.
“What Oran has to do now is keep a lid on it,” added Wright. “They’ll not get too excited – that’s the standard they’ve set now and I’m sure that’s what he’ll say to the players in the dressing room.
"They’ve proven that they can come here and win comfortably, and now they need to do that week in, week out.
"They’ve got a good squad, quality players, depth, and they should be obviously looking to improve on last season, which I think they’ll do easily.
"They should be looking at pushing for top-six and top-four with the squad they have.
"It’s only one game, there’s no trophies or medals handed out after today, but it’s a great, great win for Ballymena.”