The win nudged Healy’s men to within seven points of table topping Coleraine and Larne, but significantly, the Blues have games in hand
Linfield manager David Healy had a double celebration on Saturday after their dominant 4-0 Premiership win. Not only did his team rack up three crucial points against Crusaders at Windsor Park, but defender Ben Hall became the latest player to agree an extended contract.
It was the third major piece of business competed by Healy, who also tied agreed deals with midfielder Kyle McClean and defender Dane McCullough last week. And, his boys responded in the best possible manner by brushing aside the challenge from Declan Caddell’s Crues, who sit only eight points ahead of rock-bottom Glenavon in the Sports Direct Premiership table.
In contrast, the win nudged Healy’s men to within seven points of table topping Coleraine and Larne, but significantly, the Blues have vital games in hand. Healy was delighted to secure Hall’s future, stating: “Ben has become an important part of our club, both on and off the pitch.
“He’s a leader in the dressing room and he sets the standards high every day. It’s important to get the business sorted out. There will be others in the coming weeks.”
A second half double blast from Callumn Morrison sealed the deal against Crusaders after defender Lewis Barr had fired into his own net before Matthew Fitzpatrick gobbled up his 11th goal of the season.
Healy added: “It was one of our better performances, but it was one of our better results. It was acceptable, performance wise.
“I always hope for a little bit more . . . that’s probably the need, the want and the greed in me wanting perfection all the time, which we are not going to get.
“If I’m going to be overly critical, we probably should have had more goals – and that’s not being disrespectful to Decky (Caddell) and his team. What pleased me was the fact we snuffed out the potential of conceding goals.
“We still have more in the tank to come. Overall, I was pleased with the outcome; pleased with the result and the clean sheet.”
Caddell admitted his boys shot themselves in the foot in many ways, especially after that dreadful own goal after only five minutes.
“It’s the second time in a week we’ve been beaten by four goals, so things must change,” he said. “It’s individual errors that are costing us.
“Our decision making is poor, and that’s not just from the young lads in the group. You can’t concede after five minutes and 10 minutes after that and expect to win a football game.
“The game plans go out of the window . . . we are left to chase the game early on. It’s now happening far too often.
“The first goal knocked the stuffing out of us, the second knocked the confidence completely. It was the last thing we needed with the run we are on at the minute.
“It’s not good enough, we’ve talked long and hard about it, but it doesn’t seem to be improving. We must find an answer – quickly.”
