Former Crusaders captain feels 'they're out of reach for Glenavon' in Irish League relegation race after big week
Former Crusaders captain Colin Coates feels an impressive week of results for the Seaview side means they could now be “out of reach” for basement club Glenavon in the race to avoid Premiership relegation.
Declan Caddell’s men have moved 12 points clear of the Lurgan Blues after stringing together a three-game unbeaten run, following up their Boxing Day victory over Cliftonville by drawing against Carrick Rangers and beating Dungannon Swifts.
It means the Crues are now level on points with ninth-placed Ballymena United and only four adrift of Bangor in seventh.
Having lost each of their opening 12 Premiership matches of the season, Glenavon faced an uphill task to preserve Premiership status but have shown improved form under Michael O’Connor, winning four of six home matches since his appointment.
They remain without a point on their travels, losing 12 consecutive matches away from home, and are seven adrift at the bottom.
Carrick Rangers are currently their nearest rivals as they look to avoid automatic relegation and Coates, who started the season as Glenavon’s assistant manager to Paddy McLaughlin, feels it could now be a two-horse race.
"Looking at the league table, you’d probably say they’re (Crusaders) out of reach for Glenavon in terms of that automatic relegation spot,” said Coates on BBC Sportsound. “It has been a really good week for them picking up seven points from their last nine.
"It has just given them that big gap now to Glenavon and it’s difficult to see them closing that.
"After (Saturday's) results, the only realistic team for Glenavon to catch will be Carrick.”
Carrick are winless across their last nine Premiership matches with a last victory coming against Bangor on October 31.
They suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat at the hands of Glentoran on Saturday as Pat Hoban scored six times and Coates feels a lot could depend on how they respond.
"The thing for Carrick is they haven’t won a game since October, but I was there on Boxing Day when they put up a very valiant performance against Larne and you were thinking there’s points around the corner for them,” he added. “It’s the manner of the (Glentoran) defeat.
"To lose 7-0, and if we’re honest, Glentoran took their foot off the gas after 60 or 65 minutes and made a number of changes. It could have been worse for Carrick. It’s about how they respond to that.”