Ferguson rallies United players ahead of crunch week

The manager was criticised by a section of supporters for starting Friday night’s 1-0 defeat at Ballinamallard without a recognised striker - while leaving four centre-forwards on the subs’ bench.

But Ferguson is ready to recall some of those players as the sides meet again tonight (Tuesday), this time in a League Cup tie at the Showgrounds (8pm).

“I’m sure the fans are frustrated - I can hear them shouting ‘get a striker on’ but when strikers aren’t scoring goals their confidence is low and there’s no point playing them until they get that wee break and that’s why we changed it on Friday night.

“It may well change again on Tuesday night because those players might be champing at the bit to go and prove themselves.

“All it takes is for one ball to come off their backside or off their ear and that changes their whole persona and how they play - it doesn’t have to be a shot from 25 yards into the top corner, it just gives people a lift when they score goals.

“I can empathise with the supporters’ frustration - I’ve been there many a time because it’s tough at any club when you’re not scoring goals and not winning matches.

“Hopefully they will stick by us and give us encouragement on Tuesday night. It’s an important game for us with a quarter-final at stake,” added Ferguson, whose side are at home to Coleraine in the season’s first ‘derby fixture this Saturday (3pm).