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How return from Man Utd in 1982 might provide Portadown answer to early Irish League woes Back-to-back blanks in terms of points or even goals from two games as Portadown boss have 63-year-old David Jeffrey turning back the clock to his teenage playing days for inspiration. A summer arrival of a manager with over 30 trophies on his silverware CV brings expectations Jeffrey is happy to not only understand but embrace. However, having lost on the road to Carrick Rangers on the Irish League season’s opening weekend, a first Premiership fixture at Shamrock Park failed to yield enhanced returns as Kris Lowe grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 win for Dungannon Swifts. Although experience will give Jeffrey and his backroom team confidence to navigate the expected transition phase over the early stages of the season, the former Linfield and Ballymena boss reflected on his own early career for context to the disappointing start. "We've brought these players in to give them opportunity, to give them exposure,” said Jeffrey. "And what I've said to them today, they've got to look in the mirror, as we all do, and say ‘OK, what have we done well? What can we do better?’. "And let's see how we can do better next time around. "We've started this work...there's lots more to be done, lots more to learn. The more games we have, then the quicker we will learn. The reality is we've built a new squad. "I can take myself back...I came home from Manchester United having not made the grade at 19 years of age and I remember the first game was against, God rest him, Southampton and Kevin Keegan. And because they played the English way, I actually did pretty well in that pre-season. "I remember Roy Coyle (Linfield manager) playing me the first 11 games and obviously I didn't learn quick enough for him so he left me out. I didn't play for so many months, it was basically adapt and change...so I know the processes as a young player coming from England or wherever else and getting used to the Irish League. "The Irish League is something else. "But we're pleased, obviously, with the players that we've brought in. They do have that potential. They do have that talent." Despite the absence of rewards for efforts on the pitch, Jeffrey had full praise for the enthusiasm off it thanks to support from the stands. "The one thing I've got to say is our supporters today were absolutely magnificent and the encouragement they gave going off was really reassuring,” said Jeffrey. "And I'm so grateful. “It took us a wee while just to adapt and we got the first half over, we addressed a number of things at half-time and certainly the second-half performance was better than the first half,” said the Ports boss. "Effort and commitment certainly were there in abundance. "There's learning which they need to take on and take on quickly. "We changed the shape, we tried to make every difference that we could make, but it just wasn't enough. "Anybody who thought that David Jeffery just arriving at Portadown and everything was going to be rosy in the garden, that is not the case...I certainly did not have that expectation. "I was very well prepared for the work that had to be done and the work that lies ahead. "So we need to do more."