CRUSADERS boss Stephen Baxter believes his side can “take the gloves off and have a go” when they meet managerless Ards in the fifth round of the Clearer Water Irish Cup on Saturday at Seaview.
The Crues begin the campaign aiming to be the first team since Linfield completed a treble in 2012 to win the coveted trophy three years in a row.
After a rather stodgy December and new year period, which included three wins and three losses, Baxter is hoping a change of scenery will give his side a boost that their campaign is so in need of.
“Any cup, particularly the Irish Cup, is completely different from the league campaign,” he said.
“Some of the pressure is off and you can really have a go.
“We absolutely love and enjoy the Irish Cup, and I’m really looking forward to the game.
“We will no doubt get into the zone for the Ards game.”
Ards themselves have had a difficult preparation – the Championship side parting company with manager Matthew Tipton earlier in the week – for what is likely to be their biggest game of the season.
Tipton was appointed as Ards manager in February 2022 after winning the Championship title with both Portadown and Warrenpoint Town.
However, he was unable to produce a win for the Co Down side in their last six games and they are now languishing in 10th position and in the relegation dogfight.
Baxter is keen to keep his concentration firmly upon his own troops whilst recognising the talent that exists among Saturday’s opponents. “We will just be focusing on ourselves,” he said.
“We have had a look at Ards on a couple of occasions and we know their players, what they’ve been doing and how they go about it.
“So, it is important that we deal with the challenge in front of us.”
Whoever takes the hot-seat for Ards on Saturday will not have the omens on their side. The Down men have failed to collect a victory against Crusaders in their last 15 meetings and only the bravest would bet on them ending that run this time.
A former Ards player, Baxter may use the game to blood some new talent.
That may include promoting goalkeeper Jordan Williamson to the starting line-up in place of the ever-present Jonny Tuffey who has come in for some criticism in recent weeks.
Rotating his squad may also allow Baxter to evaluate his resources and what business he may need to do in the transfer window.
However, he is not getting carried away as he recognises the pull of the full-time clubs.
“If something appears that is useful to us we will go for it,” he said.
“However, we have to live inside our means and recognise the spending power of the Linfields, Glentorans and Larnes of this world.
“We also have to tread carefully in this transfer window.
“Usually if a player is made available they are not regularly playing at their club so may lack that match sharpness that you really need half way through a season like ours,” he added.
