'There is no better fixture in which to start putting things right': Greg Sloggett relishing Glentoran's meeting with league leaders Coleraine
Despite being booed off the pitch after drawing against Bangor last weekend – Glentoran ace Greg Sloggett believes a meeting with league leaders Coleraine represents the perfect opportunity to begin turning their season around.
The men from east Belfast were heavily criticised by their supporters at The Oval on Saturday as they failed to pick up maximum points against the Seasiders, with Jamie Douglas’ eye-catching effort cancelling out Lewis Francis’ opener.
Glentoran assistant boss Tim McCann didn’t mince his words after the full-time whistle as he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Sportsound programme that their performance was “totally unacceptable” and that “too many people aren’t doing their job”.
The Glens are on home soil yet again as they welcome Coleraine on Tuesday night and Sloggett says a positive result against the Premiership pacesetters can be used as momentum for the challenges ahead.
“Some people may look at Coleraine as the worst possible fixture for us, but that is certainly not how we see it within the squad,” he said.
“We are relishing the game. From my point of view, there is no better fixture in which to start putting things right.
“Coleraine are a very good side. They have carried their form from last season into this campaign and are top of the league on merit.
“We are a good side too, though, and these are the games you want to be involved in as a player. It is now up to us to produce the performance we know we are capable of.
“A positive result could give us the lift we need and help get our season moving.”
It has been a particularly frustrating start to life in east Belfast for Sloggett, whose introduction to the Glentoran side was delayed by a knee injury.
The former Dundalk midfielder made his competitive debut as a second-half substitute against Bangor and was delighted to finally get onto the pitch.
“It is always frustrating when you are ruled out through injury, but it is even more difficult when you have just joined a new club and the results are not going the way you would want,” added the 30-year-old.
“When you join a new club, you want to be involved as quickly as possible and show everyone what you can contribute.
“The results added to the frustration because you are watching from the sidelines and cannot influence what happens on the pitch. I do not think I have ever met a player who enjoys doing that.
“All I could do was support the lads and reinforce the messages coming from the manager and coaches.
“Thankfully, I am now fit and it was a great feeling to get on at half-time on Saturday. I would gladly have exchanged the appearance for three points, but unfortunately it was not to be.
“Hopefully, we will now see more players returning and give the manager as many options as possible. When you look around the squad, there is a huge amount of quality here.
“The players demonstrated that during last season’s excellent league run and there is no reason why we cannot rediscover that form.”