Boss sets ‘realistic’points target for Blues

The Blues have four, on paper at least, winnable games coming up but the boss isn’t demanding four victories.

Glenavon play Dungannon at Stangmore Park on Friday evening and then travel to face Ballinamallard United on Tuesday, both games kicking off at 7.45pm.

After that comes a home game against Warrenpoint and a trip to Ards.

“We set realistic targets,” said Hamilton. “Dungannon won their first two games this season and Ballinamallard were a top six team last year. We didn’t beat them once so you have to take those things into account.

“We aim to take as many points as possible because those are the teams that will be in and around us. If we can get seven or nine points out of the next 12, that would be great. Anything above that would be a bonus.

“Everything’s possible but every team has a bad game at some stage. I’m not saying we’re not capable of taking 12 points. We’re capable of beating any team in the league on our day but realistically, there’s usually one bad game in four. Dungannon have brought in good players and have worked hard. They’re a tight-knit club and have players who want to be there. They’ll all give 100% effort and they have that bit of quality too.

The Blues will be without striker Mark Farren who has come off injured in two successive matches.

“Mark came off with his hamstring again,” Hamilton said. “He came off with a weakness in it during a game last season and it is the same thing again.”