There was no doubting which result in the first full Saturday of fixtures left people open-mouthed.

Cliftonville’s 5-1 demolition of Ballymena United was a real bet buster and also burst the early expectation bubble that was floating above the Showgrounds.

Far from allowing his side to lick his wounds, Roy Walker had his troops suitably invigorated for the fight and were just 60 seconds away from a morale-boosting win at Newsy City on Tuesday evening.

Despite what most people would see as a stuttering start, by and large, Walker is happy with his lot.

Five new faces started against the Reds, with a further two on the bench, and with that in mind it may talk time for the Walker revolution to take hold.

If it is, then his general direction operations at the heart of the battle will be former Northern Ireland international Peter Kennedy.

Kennedy is best remembered for his marauding runs down the left whether as wing-back or an old-fashioned winger.

Now though a new position beckons, at the centre of the action, and just one of the areas where Walker is anticipating keen competition for places.

“I was giving a team talk earlier in the season and told the players what a privilege it is to sign an international,” explained Walker.

“It’s not too many teams that have proper international footballers on their books and to get Peter Kennedy as a player I’m delighted; to get him as a person I’m delighted; to get his experience I’m delighted. If you negotiated the way I did with Peter there was no negotiation, it wasn’t about the finance, for what the man had to say was refreshing, so I know I’ve got a good guy.

“I think he’ll be the glue that will knit and link us together because I want him to play in the middle of the park. I see four people playing for two places. We are blessed that we have a 2 to 1 ratio in almost all places, and I feel there is good quality competition.

“We have four quality centre backs - Albert Watson, Gary Haveron and Gavin McDonnell and Archie (Aaron) Stewart.

“We have four central midfielders, and there’s a nice mix in there.

“Up front we have Neil Teggart, Kevin Kelbie, Davitt Walsh and Michael Ward, they are the four principle strikers, so it’s getting the pairing right. Look at our left side we have McClean, Hogan, Mullan, King and Cushley and King can play down the right.

“Wee Picky (Mark Picking) who’s jinky on the right and we have Michael McGinlay who’s more pace, power and purpose and doesn’t need to beat you to get a cross in, so all over it’s good.”

Whatever combination takes to the park, he’ll hope that they can begin winning ways at home to Dungannon tomorrow.