Solitude trouncing ‘a real step backwards’ - Ferguson

GLENN Ferguson was left with a horrible feeling of deja vu as Ballymena United crumbled at Solitude on Saturday.
Mark Surgenor pulls on the goalkeeper's jersey for the second time in his Ballymena United career at Solitude after regaulr number one Dwayne Nelson was injured in the 5-0 defeat by Cliftonville. Picture: Press Eye.Mark Surgenor pulls on the goalkeeper's jersey for the second time in his Ballymena United career at Solitude after regaulr number one Dwayne Nelson was injured in the 5-0 defeat by Cliftonville. Picture: Press Eye.
Mark Surgenor pulls on the goalkeeper's jersey for the second time in his Ballymena United career at Solitude after regaulr number one Dwayne Nelson was injured in the 5-0 defeat by Cliftonville. Picture: Press Eye.

The Sky Blues boss watched his side concede four or more goals in a match for an astonishing SEVENTH time this season in a 5-0 defeat to champions-elect Cliftonville.

The manager described the result – which came on the back of scoreless draws against Glentoran and Portadown as “ a real step backwards”.

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“First of all, I don’t think there’s any question that Cliftonville were worthy winners.

“They’re a team who have been beating everyone all season long and you can see why. The style of football they play is difficult to deal with if you don’t react to things and deal with them very quickly - you need to track runners, be alert to every movement and try to stop them playing.

“We didn’t do that, not many teams can, and that’s why they’re going to be deserving champions.

“We only had one or two half-chances and nothing really clear-cut, plus there was a penalty appeal that we felt we should have got something from but, let’s be honest, it wouldn’t have made any difference to the final outcome because Cliftonville were always on top.

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“We’ve had a number of heavy defeats this season and, after losing 7-0 to Glenavon, we changed things around to try and give ourselves a bit more protection in key areas and stop teams creating so many chances against us.

“We kept two clean sheets and picked up two points against Glentoran and Portadown, which was a good start, but this was a real step backwards.

“Admittedly, Cliftonville are a very good team but, from our point of view, we can’t keep crumbling once we’ve conceded one or two.

“We’ve had fours, fives, sixes, sevens and eights against us this season and it’s something that needs addressed.

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“Psychologically, we need to be stronger and I’ve asked the players if they have the mentality required to play the game at this level when things start going against you.

“I did what I could to address the problem by moving on players who I felt didn’t have that toughness about them.

“We’ve brought some new players in but, clearly, there’s still a problem there and there’s every chance that changes will need to be made again in the summer because we can’t keep going on like this,” added Ferguson.