Players showed ‘lack of desire’ in Coleraine defeat - Ferguson

Glenn Ferguson accused his Ballymena United players of lacking desire in the Boxing Day defeat by Coleraine.
Ballymena United manager Glenn Ferguson. Picture: Press Eye.Ballymena United manager Glenn Ferguson. Picture: Press Eye.
Ballymena United manager Glenn Ferguson. Picture: Press Eye.

Coleraine won the game because, as a unit, they wanted it more than us,” said an angry Ferguson after the 2-1 loss at Ballycastle Road.

“Individually, we had a couple of layers who wanted to take the game to them but as a collective, they wanted it more.

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“We have a few injuries but I’m not even going to blame that. We had 16 players, 14 of them got on and irrespective of ability there should be no lack of desire to go and win a game.

“There were too many people who didn’t show me 100 per cent desire to try and win a local ‘derby’.

“The lads were saying in the dressing room afterwards that the turning point was a stonewall penalty when Stephen McBride was taken down but even that aside, we didn;t do enough.

“Their keeper didn’t have one save to make in the second half and that is something I’ll have to look at because I’m really disappointed with that performance.

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“Coleraine worked Alan Blayney more than we worked Michael Doherty, they played better than us and they showed more hunger to win tackles and headers than we did.”

Ferguson also insisted he had no hesitation in playing David Cushley, despite the winger agreeing to joining Crusaders on a pre-contract agreement earlier in the week.

“David has made a decision to move on which I totally appreciate - I did it myself when I was at Glenavon.

“He wants to move to win things - I totally appreciate that and I have no issue with that.

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People might have looked at the photographs that appeared in the local press and might have questioned that but that was nothing to do with David Cushley.

“He repaid me and scored another cracking goal,” added Ferguson.