Lee Feeney insists he is ready for a “five-game shootout” to decide this season’s Premier Intermediate League title race.
Fifteen points remain up for grabs as the division prepares to enter the split.
Feeney’s Bangor sit top, one point ahead of Newington and Armagh City, with Limavady United lurking a further three points behind in fourth.
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The first post-split fixtures kick-off on Tuesday night, including Bangor’s trip to fifth-place Dollingstown.
Armagh City travel to Banbridge Town while Newington and Limavady United clash at Solitude.
“I suppose you could describe it as a five-game shootout,” Feeney told Match on Tuesday.
“We have a busy schedule coming up of games on Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday. We knew this was coming up and hopefully we have a squad that can deal with it.
“We have some depth to our squad and we are sort of built for this. Armagh and Newington have been squeezing in midweek games for the past couple of weeks, and it will be tough for them.”
Feeney added: “People say it is in our hands. Well, it’s also in Armagh’s hands and Newington’s hands. Even Limavady are in with a shout.
“So if one of those teams win all their games then they could end up being champions. But I can’t see any team winning all of their remaining games.
“Our only focus is on Tuesday’s game against Dollingstown, and nothing else.”
This season’s rollercoaster title race might not do much for Feeney’s blood pressure, but it has turned into an enthralling campaign for neutrals watching on.
And Feeney expects more twists and turns before any silverware is handed out.
“It is brilliant for the neutral, and it’s good for the league,” he said.
“Heading into the split with so many teams in contention is exciting and people are talking about the league.
“We should be in a better position than we are. We have dropped points in games we shouldn’t have, and we cannot afford any slip-ups now.”
Bangor’s title credentials had come under scrutiny after they picked up just one point from games against Limavady and Banbridge Town.
But on Saturday they flexed their muscle once more with a massive 1-0 win over Newington, with Ben Arthurs getting the goal that sealed three big points.
“I was delighted with the reaction we got in Saturday’s game, and the players are well prepared for what lies ahead,” Feeney added.
“It was a good win, and an important one. And the performance was brilliant as well.
“We didn’t play well against Banbridge, but we generally have been performing without getting any luck.
“On Saturday we bossed the game from the start to finish. It is all about results at this stage of the season, but it was also good to get a performance.
“Newington are a great side and have a great mentality, and we have to play them again in the split.
“We were under some pressure after dropping points in the previous two games. We couldn’t have any other result but a win and we were well worth it.
“We were excellent on Saturday.”
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