The players owe us

WELL, where to start. That is now the second time we've been completely and utterly embarrassed by our team in front of the nation on Sky and it doesn't feel any better than the first time.

There was little or nothing positive about that performance at Seaview.

Perhaps Andy Plummer couldn't really be faulted too much but beyond that none of our team did their reputations any good.

I don't want to criticise the manager because firstly, he is the best we have had in a long long time and secondly, he can't be faulted for players playing well below their best, but the team selection was 'interesting' to say the least. I wouldn't have had Walsh or McDonagh anywhere near the wings and indeed they offered very little on the flanks. But I would expect a team with four central midfielders to at least compete in the middle of the park for the second ball and we got nowhere near it all night. Crusaders passed it around us with ease and we didn't look capable or interested in stopping them.

I wouldn't want to be in the manager's shoes at the minute because he has some tough decisions to make on the evidence of our squad. Fair enough we might not always have the most talented 11 on the park but the supporters have a right to expect effort, application and commitment and for too many of this current team, those factors appear to be completely absent.

Big, big improvements are needed and certain players need to take a long hard look at themselves. I don't want to be overly critical because we are certainly improved in league position on last year and we are also in a very winnable Irish Cup quarter-final but all I will say is that after Monday night, the players owe the supporters, big time, and I hope they know it.