FACING into a huge week for the club, Cliftonville manager Gerard Lyttle hopes the manner of Saturday’s home defeat to Coleraine is a “one-off.”
The Reds were beaten 3-1 by the Bannsiders, with Rodney Brown opening the scoring inside the first minute when he headed home an Adam Mullan cross.
James McLaughlin made it 2-0 shortly afterwards and Brad Lyons effectively wrapped up the points seven minutes into the second half.
The home side’s consolation goal arrived in injury-time from Davy McDaid.
“It was very disappointing,” admitted Lyttle.
“It was obviously very disappointing in terms of the result but more so in the performance and how we went about things.
“We were very flat and lacked a lot of passion and lacked a lot of hard work – something that we really pride ourselves on at Cliftonville.
“We certainly didn’t have that and obviously we know it’s not acceptable – the players know it’s not acceptable. Hopefully it’s a one-off.”
After last week’s loss to Crusaders and Saturday’s result, Cliftonville are realistically playing for second spot - which offers the prize of Europa Cup football next season.
They have a quick chance to bounce back from their two league losses when they travel across the city to meet Glentoran at the Oval on Tuesday night.
The tie is a game in hand over the other two main contenders for second - Linfield and Glenavon. A win against the Glens would move Lyttle’s men three clear of the Lurgan Blues and to within three of the Windsor Blues, who currently sit second.
Lyttle revealed that there was “a good long hard discussion” after the Coleraine game and that he is grateful for the Glentoran match coming so quickly.
“We got things off our chest between the players and the coaching staff,” declared Lyttle.
“The good thing about it is that we have a game on Tuesday and it’s a quick turnaround and a chance to get it out of our system.”
“We have got to look at the next best thing and that’s second – and even saying that – that we’re fighting for second place, is hard to take.
“But that’s the reality and that’s what we have to really focus ourselves on - getting second place.
“It’s European football. It means everything to the club, for the players, for the supporters – to be involved on the European stage. It’s a massive opportunity that we don’t want to throw away.
“It’s massive for the club financially as well – in terms of where we go with players being at the club for next year as well because it all depends on your budget for next year.”
The Oval clash is of course only part of an important next few days. Linfield are coming to Solitude on Saturday for an Irish Cup quarter-final tie. Lyttle is relishing the prospect of reaching the last four as the Reds go in search of a first Irish Cup since 1979.
“It’s not a cliché – every game is a big game for Cliftonville and they are no bigger than a quarter-final of the Irish Cup against the arch-rivals,” insisted Lyttle.
“The good thing is we’ve a tremendous record against Linfield at Solitude and we hope to keep that record going. David Healy will have them fired up - these games more or less take care of themselves too.
“There’s a big crowd, there’s a great atmosphere. Obviously there is pride at stake. It’s just all about getting to that semi-final by hook or by crook.”
