Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter insists his side are in “cup-final mode” and are willing to go “gung-ho” as they continue their countdown towards the Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup final against Ballymena United at Windsor Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Crues finished fifth in the Danske Bank Premiership and will have the chance of qualifying for next season's Europa Conference League through the play-offs. However, a much more straightforward route for them is by repeating last season's Irish Cup final win over Ballymena United on Sunday and that's where Baxter's main focus is targetted.
“Our focus now will be zoned in on the cup final and only the final. We reset after the league campaign and will not think of the European play-offs unless we need to go that route after the cup final” Baxter said.
The cup holders go toe-to-toe with last years runners up, exactly 12 months to the day since their memorable tie last May. On that occasion, the Crues relied on an extra-time winner from Johnny McMurray to clinch the match 2-1 and break the hearts of the Ballymena players and travelling support alike.
So, what does last year’s winning manager expect from David Jeffrey and his men from Warden Street?
“Fire. That’s how I would describe in a word what they will bring to the tie, " Baxter said.
"David will have his team so focused and so motivated as he did in their semi-final (a surprise 2-0 victory over Larne). It’s a big opportunity, these one-off games, they can get you silverware and they can get you into Europe.”
“David is a very experienced manager, he knows how to get the best out of his players, how to get the team playing well. They did very well in last year's final, we just pipped it with two pieces of quality. I expect a formidable battle.”
The north Belfast side have had the luxury of being able to rest some key players ahead of the final after an attritional season.
Philip Lowry and Jordan Forsythe missed the draw with Cliftonville and last Saturday's defeat by Glentoran as they were only one booking away from a suspension and it was not considered “worth the risk”.
Crusaders could simply not afford to be without their two game-changers as they will already be without their banned captain Billy-Joe Burns
Injury doubts remain over defender Josh Robinson who has been managing a tight hamstring this last couple of weeks and had to leave early in the Glentoran game due to a knee tweak, although this was more precautionary.
Dean Ebbe also left the game early and will be assessed. However, bar these concerns, there is a general feeling of good health around Seaview.
Crusaders negotiated their way to this year’s cup final by way of straightforward victories over Dergview and Bangor, before beating Glentoran 1-0 at Seaview thanks to a goal from Forsythe.
In the last four, it took an injury time winner from Declan Caddell against Dungannon Swifts to send the Hatchetmen through to another cup final.
Baxter has seen it all before with Crusaders, winning the Irish Cup on three occasions as manager – never having won it as a player – and is well accustomed to how cup final week works.
“We will change things up a little bit this week. I have been working on three squad scenarios this past couple of weeks, so we will begin to look in more detail at our strategy as the week goes on," he said.
"It alters things a little with the Sunday game too, but not too much. I will still be out playing golf on Friday morning as I always do!”
He also knows what they must bring to the table if they are to reap the rewards of the trophy they so long to keep.
“We know we have to show up on the day, we will play our own game, play to our strengths and as long as everybody gives their all, I wont be too upset regardless of the result.”
