Gary Haveron believes Larne have added a steely resolve to their free-flowing reputation this season.
The Inver Reds have always been easy on the eye with their fluid brand of football, but have sometimes been accused of having a soft underbelly when it comes to physical showdowns in the Irish Premiership.
Last week's penalty shootout win over Linfield in the Irish Cup was further evidence of a side rising to the challenge this season, and Haveron hopes Larne carry that confidence into Friday night's league clash with Glenavon.
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"That's twice we have beaten Linfield on penalties, and taken them in front of the Blues fans," Haveron said.
"I thought our overall performance merited the result in the end, and nobody could have any complaints with us progressing in the cup.
"The boys showed great mettle and nerve to make sure we went into the hat. When you go through experiences like that it is character building.
"It will stand by those players, that when the moment comes they can be relied upon and trusted. And maybe that's the difference between this group and previous groups.
"The talent has always been there and they play a certain style, but there is now a certain resilience in this group of players and a feel about them.
"They are a wee bit sterner when the tests come."
First-team coach Haveron added: "We are in the mix and in a good place, and we go into Friday night knowing we have to take care of our own result and put pressure on other teams.
"Linfield play Cliftonville and Glentoran play Coleraine, and all four can't win. All we can do is make sure we look after ourselves, and that's what the focus has always been for Larne.
"We have to keep working hard. Glenavon are a very talented squad and they have good players. And they will be hurting from going out of the Irish Cup.
"Gary Hamilton has enjoyed success in the cup before, and they will be wanting to bounce back from last week's defeat."
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