Coleraine boss Oran Kearney will be demanding a massive response from his players as they prepare for Saturday’s Irish Premiership clash with Lisburn Distillery.
The Bannsiders suffered the ignominy of a 5-1 hammering to Ballinamallard United in midweek.
The heavy defeat has dented their hopes of a top-six finish this season, with Portadown now closing in.
“I apologise to everyone who was present tonight...” Kearney said on his Twitter account following Tuesday’s defeat.
“Gutted, embarrassed, guilty and disgusted.... Our shirt and fans deserve so much more..”
Distillery remain bottom of the Premiership – four games behind Donegal Celtic but with a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Glentoran could be without a number of key personnel for Saturday’s scheduled home fixture with Dungannon Swifts.
Midfielders Richard Clarke and David Howland, defender Jay Magee and captain Colin Nixon all look like missing the Oval clash.
“We have four or five very experienced first team players missing at the moment,” said Patterson.
“Something like six of our starting line-up against Ballymena on Tuesday night were aged 22 or under.
“It’s not ideal because you get inconsistency with younger players, but they know they will be given the opportunity to impress.”
Glentoran lost 2-1 to Ballymena in midweek while Dungannon have won their last two league fixtures.
Elsewhere Glenavon will be looking to end a five-game losing streak when they travel to Ballinamallard United.
The Lurgan Blues last recorded a victory back on December 15 in a 4-1 rout of Ballymena United.
Their latest set-back came in midweek when Dungannon Swifts claimed maximum points against Gary Hamilton’s men.
“It has been bitterly disappointing, but we should have picked up some reward from those games,” player/manager Hamilton said.
“We need to get out of this rut so we now turn our focus to a difficult trip to Ferney Park to face Ballinamallard.”
lenavon have signed former Glentoran and Lisburn Distillery midfielder Grant Gardiner on an amateur contract to the end of April.
Saturday’s game between Donegal Celtic and Linfield was postponed on Friday afternoon due to the winter weather.
There will be pitch inspections at all the remaining five scheduled fixtures on Saturday morning.
Comments