'It'll make or break them' message as Crusaders search for rise off bottom spot in relegation fight
Boss Declan Caddell must now hope the only way is up after hitting rock bottom in a relegation battle he views will “make or break” his young squad.
A slump at Seaview last weekend left the Crues swapping spots in the top-flight table with Glenavon entering the final six games of a Premiership season which has produced just seven wins.
Now the closing pre-split test marks a trip to Portadown in search of a first league win since January 3.
“We're a very, very young squad,” said Caddell. “This is those players' first experiences in terms of a real high-pressure environment, in terms of staying up.
"Something they're not familiar with...they've got to learn very, very quickly.
"And, ultimately, it'll make or break them.
"It will put them in good stead moving forward in their careers, wherever everyone ends up. “Ultimately, they have to learn from it...they have to dig in and, sometimes in football regardless of what we want to play, you've got to roll the sleeves up.
“We've been there, thereabouts for the last two, three months.
"That's the thing with young players...they don't seem to realise the severity until it actually happens.
"And now it's happened, so it's up to them.”
The Crues have conceded 28 goals across eight defeats and one draw since January success over the Swifts.
"The main thing for me is stopping goals...we can't afford to give teams opportunities,” said Caddell. “We've continually worked on defending and shape. "We give them all the information, all the tools that they need...but once players cross that white line, it's up to them to deliver.”