Glenavon coach clear 'we’re looking at ourselves' as Irish League relegation battle heats up
Glenavon assistant manager Andy Doyle insists full focus remains on the controllables as his side enter their final three Premiership matches fighting to preserve top-flight status.
When Doyle – a former Lurgan Blues player – returned to Mourneview Park alongside Michael O’Connor in October, Glenavon seemed destined for the drop having endured the worst start to a campaign by any Irish League team in 60 years.
Glenavon lost each of their opening 11 matches, but under O’Connor have won eight and drawn three of their next 24 to move above Crusaders on goal difference in the race to avoid automatic relegation.
In a table compiled of points collected across the past 25 matches by each Premiership team, Glenavon (27) sit eighth and O’Connor’s work has been recognised with a nomination for Manager of the Year at NIFL’s award ceremony.
Glenavon have lost just one of their last seven league fixtures – a 3-0 defeat to leaders Larne – and started the split by picking up consecutive draws against Portadown and Ballymena United.
They travel to Bangor on Saturday looking to open up a gap on nearest rivals Crusaders, who welcome the Ports to Seaview, but Doyle says he is only interested in Glenavon’s fortunes.
"I don’t feel there has been any nervous tension from our lads or around our changing room,” he told the club’s media channel. “I think our boys have dealt with it really well and got themselves in a really good position.
"We can talk all we want, as soon as they cross the line it’s down to them and they’ve been absolutely brilliant for us since we come in.
"All the signings we’ve made have bedded in well, we have a great changing room there now, everyone has done really well.
"Nothing changes, it’s still the same. We look forward to these games to come and worry about Saturday.
"We’re not looking at Crusaders, we’re looking at ourselves.
"All the games in the Irish League are hard. Bangor are a very good side and have done really well this season...we’ll work on a few things to try and get over the line in that one.”