Defending a problem

IT was always going to be a big ask to beat a Crusaders side that are flying at the moment but it was a huge disappointment at how we seemed to just lie down and accept defeat.

Survival is obviously our main aim this season but continuing our cup run would have been a big boost for the players and the fans. We didn’t seem to show the same determination that got us a result against the Crues in December.

Slack defending has been a recurring theme all season and there was no change on Saturday. Chris Morrow was allowed to boss the midfield because he wasn’t closed down or kept track of, which allowed him to score twice and set up the other two goals.

Andrew Mitchell was always going to be up against it with Paul Leeman and Colin Coates marking him and they managed to keep him quiet and it showed as we only had two attempts on goal.

The players will have to learn their lessons and quickly because even a point at Seaview on Saturday would be a huge result but the attitude has to change.

With the league split coming up soon we must start winning games or else it’s the Championship next season. With Crusaders, Ballymena and Glentoran up next we must aim for at least four points. It’s going to be a real slog until the end of the season but hopefully we can turn it around.

Give me three points over a quarter final any day.