In a “bonkers” league, veteran boss Stephen Baxter is turning to tried-and-tested methods towards solving problems including Carrick Rangers’ feared frontline but second-worst goals return.

Only bottom-based Glenavon have found the net fewer times across the Premiership campaign, with Baxter now working on an overall response to last weekend’s 2-1 home loss against Portadown ahead of visiting defending champions Linfield.

With Adam Lecky, Danny Gibson, Paul Heatley and Ryan Waide all together at the top end of the Carrick line-up, Baxter finished frustrated at the limited goal threat against the Ports.

"These people thrive on service,” said Baxter following the Portadown defeat. "The ball being knocked into your midfield and it's nothing...that's the disappointment.

placeholder image — Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

"For me, in the final third, the quality wasn't as good as I would like.

"We got into really good positions in the game...we just kept moving it around, coming up the pitch at will.

"We were good in the first half but without really, really hurting them in the final third.

“I thought Big Lecks (Lecky) was good in what he'd done and how he'd done it and set it off…we just didn't join well.

"The ball bounced off Danny and Ryan got isolated a little bit and didn't get into the game.

"That can happen...there's no criticism of these players.

"I'm always very honest with players around what I see and how I see it.

"I ask them to work on certain things, we've talked a bit about that...these guys are great individuals.

"They work incredibly hard at their game, they're always wanting to do better.”

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Despite sitting above only Glenavon, Baxter draws confidence from games in hand and the top half of the table just five points away.

"I think every game we've played, maybe bar the Larne game (September’s 2-0 loss), every other game has been a one-goal deficit either way,” said Baxter. "That maybe shows you how competitive this league is, top to bottom.

"You win two games, you'll be in the top (half), it's bonkers...but that's okay.

"You just have to get on with it…this is Irish League football at its best.

"We just have to keep working hard, keep doing our thing.”