Glentoran manager Declan Devine says his side are searching to find consistency as they prepare to face Linfield in the second league meeting between the big Belfast rivals at the Oval on Friday night, live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
The Glens sit seventh in the Irish Premiership standings after accruing seven wins, three draws and seven defeats from their first 17 matches of the campaign, but lie just three points off second place.
Devine’s side recovered from a 1-0 half-time deficit to stun the Blues 3-1 in the sides’ first ‘Big Two’ encounter at Windsor Park in October.
Last week the east Belfast team suffered a 2-0 reverse at the hands of Portadown after a performance which Devine branded “unacceptable”.
“It’s been a mixed bag for us. A lot of good and a couple of performances that we were really disappointed with,” reflected Devine of his side’s season to date.
“We’re very much in transition this year. We knew that from the very offset. We’re fighting for consistency and trying to stay in the mix.
“We know that we’re more than a match for any team on our day, we just have to strive every day to get better. It’s a work in progress.”
‘One of the biggest rivalries in Irish football’
Friday’s game is the first of three fixtures between the Blues, who top the league table by eight points, and the Glens over the coming weeks.
The clubs will face off in a BetMcLean Cup last-16 tie at Windsor Park on 3 December and in another top flight match at the Oval on Boxing Day.
Devine hopes his side can reproduce the form which saw them secure that comeback win on their rivals’ home patch seven weeks ago.
“For me it’s one of the biggest rivalries in Irish football. It means a lot to a lot of people,” said the former Derry City boss.
“Over recent years the [Glentoran] supporters haven’t had much to shout about and get behind so the players deserved great credit on that night.
“The fans saw we were doing our best to really claw our way back into the game and then the second half the players responded and gave them something to go home happy about.
“The ambience between the players and the fans that night was something special so hopefully we can get that again on Friday night in good moments and in bad moments to give ourselves the best opportunity possible.”
‘Desperate to bring success back to the Oval’
The Glens have booked a place in the County Antrim Shield final against Larne in January, but Devine knows it’s the major prizes in the local game, especially their bid to achieve a first Gibson Cup success since 2009, on which they will ultimately be judged.
“We have to get Glentoran back to being competitive in every competition. It’s important we build a structure and a professionalism around the club that we reach that stage that we are challenging for titles and cups.
“We’re desperate to bring success back to the Oval but we know that’s going to take time. We’ve got to the first cup final of the year, that’s a big positive.”
The Glentoran boss has belief in the squad he has at his disposal but will be active in the January transfer market if the right players become available.
“We believe the group we have is more than capable of putting a run of performances together.
“The fundamental for us is to work extremely hard, to play with an intensity, a hunger and a desire to get after teams but also be calm in possession of the ball, and to leave everything out on the pitch.
“I’m confident we can be dynamic and creative, be aggressive in our play. Any players we bring in in January must be to strengthen us and improve us. We won’t just go out and sign players for the sake of it.”