Linfield may have opened up a huge 19-points gap at the top of the Irish Premiership following their 2-1 win over Crusaders on Tuesday night but it didn't stop David Healy from venting his frustration after the game.
The Blues boss was less than impressed that his side were forced to play the rescheduled game just 72 hours ahead of their crucial Irish Cup clash with Glentoran on Friday evening.
Healy questioned why the game at Windsor Park was the only one in the schedule for Tuesday night despite several other clubs having games outstanding.
With Glentoran not in midweek action Healy feels his side are at a disadvantage going into the sixth round clash at The Oval and his mood was not helped by Matthew Fitzpatrick's late dismissal against the Crues and Sam Roscoe also having to go off injured in the first half.
"We wanted this game to be played next Tuesday but we were told by NIFL that everybody has to play catch-up games, but then I look and see that we are the only game being played tonight," blasted Healy. "The Glentoran-Larne game was abandoned two weeks ago so that should have been played tonight for sporting integrity.
"We were told by NIFL that you only play games on a Tuesday and Friday when the opposition do the same. That isn't the case this week. I can't understand why we were forced to play tonight instead of next week. Now obviously we're playing Ballymena in a broadcast game next Friday night but that wouldn't have mattered to us.
"The reason why this game against Crusaders was postponed was because we had two players away representing the Northern Ireland Under-21s but you get punished for it. It defeats the purpose from NIFL and the IFA, we'd be better saying we're getting punished with the backlog.
"I wouldn't have minded if their would have been three or four other catch-up games tonight but I can't understand why we were the only one. Now we've played more games than most and I don't get the thinking behind it. We played Saturday evening, Tuesday night and now Friday night and I said to the players we're basically behind the eight ball now.
"We've Matthew Fitzpatrick, one of the best number nines in the league missing for Friday night and Sam Roscoe is potentially missing along with other players who are doubtful. We need to use whatever motivation we can on Friday night as it's going to be a really tough game."
New signing Kieran Offord looks set to make his Linfield debut in Friday's Big Two cup clash after his international clearance came through too late for him to play on Tuesday night.
The former St Mirren man will come in for the suspended Fitzpatrick with Healy less than impressed with referee Declan Hassan's decision to produce a second yellow to the forward in stoppage time for a challenge on Daniel Larmour.
"It's disappointing for us and for Matthew as you're losing a key player for Friday night and we can't even appeal it," said Healy.
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