Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PRANCING ICE
Reds rollicking had the desired effect says boss Barry
CLIFTONVILLE boss Barry Gray believes his players have reacted positively to a verbal volley and some tough love over the festive period.
The Reds chief didn’t miss and hit the wall after the Solitude men fell to recent 2-0 defeats to champions Linfield and derby rivals Crusaders.
After the dispiriting Boxing Day loss at Seaview, Gray (below) branded his team’s display “nowhere near the standards” required and claimed some players had been “prancing around”.
“We will not tolerate or stand for that – players need to take full responsibility,” he said.
But after a scoreless draw with Coleraine a fortnight ago and last Saturday’s
Irish Cup win over Warrenpoint Town,
Gray believes the changing room has reacted well to the recent rebuke.
Ahead of today’s trip to Glenavon, he said: “I was very criticial of the Linfield and Crusaders displays, but there have been major positives in the last two games.
“I’ve been well recorded in terms of my recent rants on the lack of passion, desire and work rate over Christmas, but we have got it in abundance in both those games. “I was very pleased with the performance in the Coleraine game but also the way the boys dug in against Warrenpoint in the cup. They deserve a lot of credit.”
The Reds, who lost defender Jamie Mcgovern to a red card on the hour mark, fought tooth and nail to overcome the Border club 4-3 after extratime.
Gray said: “We had more control in the Coleraine game and probably should have won it, but I’ve really got to give my boys credit for last week’s performance in the Irish Cup.
“Some days it won’t go your way in terms of general play and that was one of those games, but we compensated through sheer hard work and a will to win.
“It’s all about performing on a consistent basis and continue stepping up the levels.”
Cliftonville, who lie fifth in the table, four points below third placed Glenavon, lost 3-1 on their last visit to Mourneview Park back in September.
Gray said: “Glenavon are very difficult to break down, particularly when they are at home. We went there earlier in the season and didn’t grace ourselves too well.
“Given our table positions, we know if we want to give ourselves a real chance of securing a European spot, it’s a game we need to be coming out on top of.” and boss David Healy said: “Warrenpoint have players in the final third who can hurt you, so we know what we’re up against.”
Bottom club Ballinamallard face Glentoran at Ferney Park and boss Gavin Dykes, who has added six new signings so far during the January window, said: “We’ve got a few bodies in and I think the second half of the season will be much better.”
Ballymena United host Carrick Rangers who have now gone 14 games without a win in all competitions following Tuesday night’s 1-0 league loss to Linfield.