Crusaders’ manager Declan Caddell is under no illusions about the task ahead when his team face league leaders Linfield at Windsor Park in Tuesday’s crunch tie in the Sports Direct Premiership, but he remains hopeful of victory.
After a miserable festive period for the Crues, Caddell seems to be finally making his mark on a squad that has gone under some significant re-building after the Stephen Baxter era.
A victory away to Coleraine was followed up on Saturday with a 3-2 win over Portadown at Seaview and the manager recognises the journey his squad has been on and the potential ahead.
“There is no shying away from the recent run of form we were on, it wasn’t acceptable,” Caddell said.
“We had some real difficulties with injuries in the last couple of months, but hopefully that is starting to improve as we see some more bodies coming back.
“What I could never fault is the commitment of the players throughout. We have a togetherness here that is very special.”
They will need to muster all the togetherness they have if they are to overcome a Linfield side that is now a whopping 16 points clear at the top of the table, with Glentoran the closest challengers, way behind.
The Blues overcame a resilient Cliftonville on Saturday evening 2-1, thanks to strikes from Matthew Fitzpatrick and Kyle McClean and they added further to their strikeforce on Sunday, bringing in former Crusaders’ loanee Kieran Offord from Scottish side St Mirren.
The frontman scored a dozen times in his short stint in north Belfast and will be sure to further Linfield’s Championship threat.
Crusaders themselves ventured into the transfer market at the weekend, bringing in Alex King, a talented midfielder from Greenock Morton. King may have no Irish League experience but Caddell has no doubts on his quality.
“Alex is a proven player; he has bags of experience even though he is just 20 years of age.
“Tuesday’s game will come a wee bit too soon for him as he is carrying a small niggle from probably not getting the rest he needed in Scotland, but once we get him up to full speed, I’m sure he will make a big impact in the division.”
Caddell recognises that his team will be in for a tough night if they don’t make an impact early at Windsor Park.
He has been impressed with the Blues’ form, particularly the way David Healy’s side has ground out results when their performances have been below par.
“I think the way they have gone about their business and collected points has been impressive,” Caddell said.
“Some games they have been excellent to watch, other times they have not been spectacular, but so often they come away with the three points, and that is the form of champions.
“On Saturday against Portadown, we made too many individual errors. We were poor in the first half and both their goals came from our errors.
“If we do that on Tuesday night we will be punished. You can’t go into games knowing that you have to score three times just to get the win,” he continued.
“But I am confident that if we can iron out those errors then we are a match for anybody, including Linfield.”
The teams have been involved in two high-scoring ties this season, with the Crues winning 3-2 in the Co Antrim Shield; the scores were then reversed in a later league meeting at Seaview.
