David Healy has revealed how Linfield's European heroics against Bodo Glimt bore the coaching traits of Manchester United supremo Erik ten Hag.
The Blues earned a famous 1-0 win on Tuesday night to keep alive hopes of progressing in this season's Champions League.
Healy's tactical nous, coupled with Kirk Millar's moment of magic seven minutes from time, ensures Linfield will travel to Norway next week with plenty to fight for.
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The Linfield boss praised his players for carrying out a game plan that largely frustrated Bodo for large swathes of the game, despite the Norwegians enjoying the majority of possession.
"Any of the European games we play we usually play 4-3-3. It is an easy one for the players to slot into, and the players know their roles," Healy said.
"I watched the Making of a Manager the other night about Erik ten Hag when he was at Utrecht and Go Ahead Eagles, and the players talked about how Erik used to do a hell of a lot of 11 vs 0. It is basically unopposed patterns, with and without the ball.
"It can be boring at times, but we do a lot of it. Roy Hodgson is another prime example. Everyone knew their roles and jobs, and everyone knew the distances.
"Sometimes it doesn't work. Sometimes you set up a team and concede after 15 minutes and the floodgates open.
"But my players knew their jobs on Tuesday."
Healy said he took as much pleasure from Linfield's defensive display as he did from Millar's stunning goal.
"Absolutely. 100 per cent. I think this defensive performance will stand us in good stead going forward," he added.
"Bodo scored 103 league goals last year in 31 games. It is 3.25 per game or something.
"They scored six against Roma and beat Celtic 5-1 or 5-2 over two legs. So for us to limit them shows you my players grasp what we're trying to do."
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