INSTITUTE manager John Gregg admits every game, regardless of the opposition, is a tough encounter for his side.
This Saturday, champions Linfield visit the Riverside Stadium (KO 3pm), but Gregg continues to tell his players they need to prepare for every game as if they were playing the Blues every week.
"To be honest I laugh when people say we have a big mat
ch against Linfield this Saturday, make no mistake about it every game for us is a big tough match for us," he said.
"We can't look at one game on the fixture list and think we should get points there, every game is very important in this league and that's the way we approach all our games."
In August, a Michael Carvill hat-trick and a brace apiece from Glenn Ferguson and Mark Miskimmin saw David Jeffrey's side cruise to a 7-0 victory at Windsor Park and that mauling hasn't been forgotten by the Drumahoe men.
Nevertheless since then, particularly at home, Institute have been impressive; in fact they have secured a possible 14 points from 21 on offer and they have only suffered one defeat at home to Cliftonville in September.
"Obviously what Linfield did to us away from home is still fresh on my players' minds.
"In fact my lads have a chip on their shoulders after that defeat but at Druamhoe you never know what can happen.
"We are very much underdogs on Saturday, I think they have ten full-time professionals at their club, but we'll go at it just like we always approach every game."
The Waterside outfit welcome back midfielder James Quigley from suspension and the ex-Glentoran man's experience will be invaluable for this encounter.
Prior to tonight's clash against Loughgall, 'Stute had no other injury problems with leading marksman Paul Brown expected to shake off his troublesome groin injury.
"James will have served his two match suspension so he'll be in and around the squad," he added.
"But other players have made my life difficult by playing well in James's absence so at the minute as far as I'm concerned Jamesie is available for selection."
The full article contains 380 words and appears in Londonderry Sentinel newspaper.