On Christmas Day, Linfield supporters perhaps didn’t enjoy their turkey as much as in previous years.

After all, their heroes were behind Glentoran in the Irish League title race and to be brutually frank, I’m sure even the most ardent Blues fans were wondering if their side was good enough to catch them, even allowing for the traditional failings of the east Belfast outfit at this time of the year.

Three excellent wins later though and Linfield are back on top of the world. Well, the Irish League table anyway.

The lesson: Never write off Linfield.

From somewhere David Jeffrey’s men always seem to find a way to win football matches, when least expected.

They hammered Glentoran 3-0 at Windsor Park on Boxing Day and followed that up by beating Ballymena United 1-0 even after being reduced to 10 men and then they capped a wonderful festive season by going to the improving Cliftonville and winning |2-1.

Against the Glens, the joy looked as if it would be short lived.

I’m not talking about those idiots who caused trouble and stopped the game for several minutes.

I’m referring to the master craftsman that is Glenn Ferguson, who after scoring twice in the Big Two clash was carried off after sustaining a knee injury.

There were fears, especially amongst Spike and his manager David Jeffrey, that the striker’s career was over.

But thankfully the injury was not as bad as many thought and Ferguson will return in a few weeks.

He will be crucial. As will the influence of defender William Murphy,

who in the absence of the injured Noel Bailie, has proved to be an inspirational skipper.

Jeffrey too will of course be vital.

For him, I have a feeling that winning this title would be more satisfying than any he has achieved because, boy, the Blues are doing it the hard way with a massive injury list and up until Christmas some of the most frustrating displays produced by Linfield in years.

Jeffrey has come in for some serious stick this season, the vast majority of which has been totally unwarranted.

Some football fans have short memories. Jeffrey has brought monumental success to the club and in a transistional period has not deserved the abuse he has taken — from his own supporters.

You may recall that back in August I tipped the Glens to win the title. I won’t change that prediction now, but they are going to have to step |up to the plate and show the type |of character and resolve that has |been evident at Windsor Park recently.

Otherwise, I’ll be proved wrong.

And Glentoran fans will be left to wonder what might have been!