Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GET YOUR BAX UP
Boss tells shellshocked troops to show their fighting spirit
CRUSADERS boss Stephen Baxter expects an instant “response” from his players in tonight’s Betmclean League Cup semi-final with Ballymena United at Seaview. The champions are nursing their wounds after being mauled by a rampant Linfield in Saturday’s damaging 4-1 league defeat at Windsor Park. And another litmus test awaits in North Belfast against a Ballymena side who have won their last 10 games and lie at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership.
“Do I expect a response? Yes. We’d better get a response,” said Baxter.
“That’s what we’re in the game for, to get a response to Saturday.
“There are a lot of big characters in our changing room and they’ll have been hurting.
We all are and that’s why I believe they’ll turn up against Ballymena.
“There’s no time to feel sorry for yourself. It’s time to roll up the sleeves and be counted. It’s a bit of a test for us now and we’ll see what the response is.”
While the Crues are bidding to bounce back from their Windsor woes, high flying United head to the Shore Road in a rich vein of form.
The Sky Blues, who beat Warrenpoint Town 4-2 at Milltown on Saturday to stay two points clear of Linfield at the top of the table, are unbeaten in their last 15 games.
Since losing 2-1 to Linfield at Windsor Park on September 29, David Jeffrey’s, inset, men have won 14 and drawn one in all competitions.
Baxter has been impressed by Ballymena this season and said: “We have to dust ourselves down very quickly for a massive cup tie.
“Ballymena are flying at the moment and they’re top of the table on merit, so it’s a big challenge, but one we’ll look forward to.
“Does it surprise me how well they are doing this season? No, because the quality of signings they made in the summer was very good.
“David is a master craftsman at identifying players and building teams and it doesn’t surprise me to see Ballymena challenging as well as they are. We have to put our best foot forward. There’s a final at stake so there’s a lot to play for.”
Crusaders are still without strike duo Jordan Owens and Rory Patterson, and defender Howard Beverland who continues his recuperation from injury. Ballymena defender Jonny Addis (back) is an injury concern for Jeffrey.