WATCH: 'We're in a dog-fight and need to get out quickly' - Harpur spells out priority for Swifts
Latest BetMcLean show features Dungannon captain plus Linfield's Andy Waterworth
As Dungannon Swifts prepare for a crucial Christmas run-up, captain, Ryan Harpur admits they are in a relegation dog-fight.
And the 29-year-old, who began his career at Everton, says the players need to simply accept they are fighting for their lives in the Danske Bank Premiership.
“There's no doubt when you're second bottom in the league, and the quicker we can understand that, the better it'll be for everyone involved,” he said. “We have to understand we're in a dogfight and get out of it quickly."
Harpur was speaking as a guest on our latest BetMcLean show in partnership with NIFL, now available to view on Cool FM’s Facebook page (see link below) and to download as a podcast
Last year the Swifts finished eight and they won the BetMcLean League Cup.
But long-serving boss Rodney McAree left earlier in the season and was replaced by Kris Lindsay.
Harpur said some adjustment was required but is confident they will get themselves out of danger.
"Since Kris has come in we've only really had one bad result, one bad performance, that was home to Warrenpoint”, he said.
“But outside of that, I think the team has performed pretty well and I think it's only a matter of time before we start picking up results."
Harpur says he has been impressed with the new manager.
"He's very good, very professional - probably the most professional manager I've ever worked under,” he told us.
“ We get a WhatsApp message every Friday about every player you'll be up against, what team the opposition has been playing recently. I've been very impressed with him so far.
"Under Rodney, a lot of the time we would have overplayed, possibly.
“We'd play out from the back but maybe sometimes we'd get caught.
“Since Kris has taken over, we play in the right areas, in the attacking half, and don't pay ourselves into trouble."
Also on this week's show is Linfield's Andy Waterworth.