Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CUSHY? NO CHANCE
Winger David expects a marathon battle for Gibson Cup but says Crues have hunger and quality to retain title
CRUSADERS winger David Cushley believes Stephen Baxter’s men have the strength, depth and desire to defend their Danske Bank Premiership crown.
Many pundits are predicting a titanic tussle for the Gibson Cup with last season’s runners-up Coleraine, a revamped Linfield and Cliftonville all tipped for a title tilt. It would be a huge
feat for the Crues to deliver a fourth league in five years, but Cushley is confident the Seaview men can go the distance again.
“This season won’t be easy – we don’t think that for one moment,” he said. “We know it’s going to be really competitive, but we’re in it for the long haul.
“Other teams have strengthened, but we know our own qualities and we’ll be giving everything in every game. Hopefully it’s good enough to get us where we want to be.”
After gorging on recent successes, do Crusaders have the hunger to dine out at the top table again?
“Absolutely,” said Cushley. “That hunger was there from the first day I walked into the Crusaders changing room. I couldn’t get over the camaraderie and will to win from day one. It struck me immediately how together the changing room is.
“We have that hunger to do well for each other and our aim is to show it over the course of the season.”
Cushley, who joined the Crues from Ballymena United in 2016, knows the Shore Road men will have a target on their backs as champions.
“That’s to be expected,” he said. “To be honest, we’ve had a target on our backs for the last few years. As champions, everyone else wants to beat you.
“We know other teams put in an extra 10 per cent in against the champions – whether it has been Linfield, Cliftonville or ourselves in recent years.
“It’s up to us to put in that extra energy and effort to make sure we get the results and points we need.”
Crusaders got their title defence off to a winning start thanks to Monday night’s dramatic 4-2 win over Ards at Seaview.
And while new signing Rory Patterson, a transfer capture from Derry City, grabbed the headlines with a goal and missed penalty, it was winger Ross Clarke who caught the eye.
Ahead of today’s home clash with David Jeffrey’s new-look Ballymena who beat Dungannon Swifts 2-0 last Saturday, boss Baxter said: “Ross was top drawer. His speed and touch was sublime and he ghosted into great areas. He has great quality and it was a really positive performance.
“We’ll be disappointed we let Ards back into the game after leading 2-0, but it was an opening day win, now it’s Ballymena.”
We’ve had a target on our backs for the last few years - CUSHLEY