Linfield manager David Healy admitted his side were well below the required standards as we slipped to a 2-0 defeat away to Portadown at Shamrock Park.

Speaking after the match, Healy gave an honest assessment of the performance and called for a strong reaction in the days ahead.

“It was a really disappointing night for us,” he said. “We were below the levels we expect at this football club from myself, the staff, and the players. The supporters were there in great numbers again, and they deserved better.”

Linfield created a couple of good openings in the first half but were unable to take advantage, and the manager was frustrated by how the game slipped away after conceding.

“We had one or two chances early on but didn’t make them count,” Healy explained. “When you go a goal behind, you need to show character and composure to get back into it, and we didn’t quite do that tonight. We gave away too many opportunities and never really recovered.”

The boss reiterated that preparation had been good in the build-up to the fixture, but accepted that performance levels must improve.

“We’ve trained well over the past few weeks,” he said. “The players have worked hard, the attitude has been good, and we felt ready to go. But you’re ultimately judged on what you produce on matchday, and we didn’t show the pride and intensity that should come with wearing the Linfield shirt. That’s something we’ll address quickly.”

Despite his disappointment, Healy was keen to look ahead and ensure his side respond in the right way when they return to action on Tuesday.

“We’ll be back in tomorrow, we’ll review the game, and we’ll move on,” he added. “There’s no time to dwell. The important thing now is how we react. This club has always been built on hard work, desire, and togetherness, and we’ll need all of that in the coming days.”

Healy also reminded his players that Linfield’s proud history is something to live up to, not rely on.

“The tradition and success of this club don’t win you matches in the present,” he said. “You have to earn it every time you step on the pitch. We’ve got a great group here, and I’ve no doubt we’ll see a response.”

Linfield will look to return to winning ways when we face Cliftonville at Solitude on Tuesday night.