'It was a horror show': David Healy concern as Linfield 'self-destruct' on opening day
Linfield manager David Healy slammed his side’s shock opening day 3-0 Premiership loss to Ballymena United as a “horror show”.
Former Linfield star Chris McKee returned to haunt his old club, netting a brace at Windsor Park – including a sensational second – before Success Edogun added further gloss to an emphatic scoreline for the visitors.
McKee was one of five ex-Blues players signed from the Belfast outfit this summer who started on Saturday with Charlie Allen, Josh Archer, Scot Whiteside and David Walsh also playing their part in a statement victory.
Linfield finished fourth last term, 17 points off the title pace and 11 behind third-placed ‘Big Two’ rivals Glentoran, who will provide the opposition next weekend following their 2-0 triumph over Limavady United.
Healy’s men also fell at the first hurdle in Europe this summer, losing to Nomme Kalju of Estonia in Conference League qualifying.
Saturday marked a dream start to the new campaign for Oran Kearney’s Sky Blues, but left Healy with serious questions.
“We looked a beaten team when the second goal went in and that’s a concern for me,” said Healy. “We were well in the game in the first half, but we self-destructed in the second half, individually and collectively, we were poor.
“There were games before when we’ve been behind and we’ve had a reaction – not today.
"We had experienced players making mistakes, sometimes you can’t legislate for that.
“As manager, I take responsibility for team selection, substitutes, the shape we play and whatever else, but you can’t for some of the mistakes we made.
“It was a hugely disappointing showing at the start of the season – it was a horror show.”