Stephen Baxter looking to 'inject some confidence' into Carrick Rangers as Irish League legend prepares for first game

Having been appointed as permanent successor to Stuart King on Monday, former Crusaders boss Baxter will take charge of his first match this afternoon when Coleraine visit the Loughview Leisure Arena.

The ‘Gers had lost eight consecutive league matches prior to last weekend’s 2-0 success over Cliftonville where talisman Danny Gibson netted just his second goal of the season while summer signing Seanan Clucas was on the scoresheet for the first time since arriving from Glentoran.

With Luke McCullough and Paul Heatley – a player Baxter knows extremely well with the pair winning three Gibson Cup crowns together at the Crues – joining a squad that recorded a best-ever league finish of seventh last term, the new Carrick chief is confident they have the required quality to propel themselves up the standings.

"They had a fabulous run last year and got themselves into seventh with a very balanced squad and they added some highly-talented signings in the summer,” said Baxter. "You've got to get in and assess the squad very quickly to find out maybe one or two reasons why the results haven't gone to plan.

"My gut feeling is there are one or two carrying injuries and haven't got up to the fitness levels required for Irish League football and that can be difficult.

"We haven't seen enough of Ben Tilney this year, David Cushley, and I think they're carrying knocks. We have to get to the bottom of a few fitness issues and see where we are with all of that.

"On paper, the team last year performed exceptionally well and there were some great signings and players who did very well, like Danny Gibson and Joe Crowe, and some very good young players like Kurtis Forsythe.

"When you sign key players on top of that like Seanan Clucas, Luke McCullough and Paul Heatley, you're hoping you have the backbone of a half-decent team and we'll have to find out where everyone is.

"Until you get onto the training pitch and see everyone up close and personal...they got a good result against Cliftonville and I watched them against Glentoran (in the Co Antrim Shield) where two mistakes killed them but the balance of the game was very good.

"We have to inject some confidence back into the camp and start competing in these matches. The most important thing for a manager is to see your team compete - there's nothing worse than not competing week in, week out and I want to see that change very quickly."

Coleraine have endured their own struggles at points this season as they continue to adjust to life in full-time football, but Baxter is very aware of the dangers they possess.

"I have looked at their team and they've a very talented bunch of players - they've always had that ability to break quickly with (Matthew) Shevlin, (Jamie) McGonigle and players of that ilk will hurt you quickly on the counter,” he added. "I like (Dylan) Boyle in the midfield, he controls the game well and passes the ball well, and they've brought in some younger guys from Scotland.

"They're looking for a rhythm right now and are full-time...the project is early for them and you sometimes get inconsistencies with that, but the league has been mixed this year.

"On their day they are a very solid team and have a lot of weapons in there. It's going to be important we compete quickly and are on top of the game."