Derby clash ‘just another game’ - Ferguson

Ferguson takes charge of the Sky Blues against Coleraine for the first time this Saturday (3pm), as all of the sides’ three meetings last term took place prior to his new year appointment.

And with Coleraine sitting joint top of the Danske Bank Premiership and United tucked neatly in behind in the chasing pack after both sides’ encouraging starts to the season, Saturday’s meeting at Ballycastle Road is one of the most eagerly-awaited clashes in some years.

But Ferguson poured cold water on the clamour by stating: “It’s just another game to me.

“I used to hear the same thing ahead of Linfield-Glentoran matches when I was playing but no matter what happens, there’s only three points for a win, like any other game.

“Obviously for the fans of both teams, the winners get the bragging rights, the players get a wee lift and there’s a better atmosphere around the club but as a manager it’s just another game to prepare for.

“We will try and work on their weaknesses and nullify their strengths and that’s what we’ll look at once we get our report on them.

“I’m good friends with Oran (Kearney), having played with him at Linfield, but we’ll put that aside, get into the game and try to get a win.

“They are unbeaten so the potential is there for a good game and hopefully if we create chances, as we have been doing, we’ll be able to take some of them.

“It’s going to be a tough game at the start of a tough run of games but we have already proved we can raise our game and compete with the best teams in the league.”

Ferguson believes that United should be even closer to their bitter rivals in the league standings, after costly slip-ups in draws at home to Donegal Celtic and then Dungannon Swifts last weekend.

“When I sat down and looked at the fixtures, I was expecting six points from those two games to give the boys a lift going into the Coleraine game.

“With the two points we dropped in each of our last two games, those four points would have had us sitting joint top of the league,” added Ferguson, who is getting closer to being able to call on the services of striker James Costello, following a thigh injury which has dogged him since pre-season.

“He played 45 minutes for the Reserves in midweek which we asked him to do and he has been to the gym a couple of times to work on strengthening his thigh muscle.

“When we get him back he will provide another option but it’s no secret that we are definitely in need of an out-and-out number nine.

“The guys up there are doing their best but if we had a natural goalscorer we would be winning the games that we’ve been drawing.”

Ferguson also reports some progress on midfielder Alan Davidson, who has yet to kick a ball competitively this season because of an ankle tendon complaint.

“Alan did a bit of training before the game on Saturday.

“He’s in consultation at the minute with Dr Michael Cullen and we’re hoping to get that sorted within a week or two,” added Ferguson.

* Seven Towers Supporters’ Club transport for Saturday’s game at Coleraine leaves Henry Street car park at 2pm. The club’s Joker promotion will be drawn prior to departure.