JOEY O’BRIEN wants his players to go for the jugular against out-of-season Linfield.
The Blues have played just two games – a friendly and Charity Shield match – to prepare for their Champions League qualifier against Shelbourne.
And O’Brien hopes his side’s match sharpness can come to the fore at Tolka Park.
O’Brien said: “It’s about a fast start. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Champions League game or a league game. When we play anyone here, we’re here to win.
“We go out and attack the game to win. That’s not going to change.
“The atmosphere will be up but it’s also about not getting too emotional, being in control of the performance, wanting it but not wanting it too much that you tighten up and can’t perform.
“That’s something that we’ve spoken about – attacking the game but not being too desperate or otherwise your performance suffers.”
Opposite number David Healy said: “We’ve been in nearly a month now, we’ve prepared as best as we can.
“It’s probably not like pre-seasons gone by where players are a little bit more unhealthy and whatever else. Now the players are a bit more considerate in what they do in the off-season.”
