The Glens have taken just seven points from their opening six Irish Premiership games, and are already nine points behind the Bannsiders
Greg Sloggett has urged Glentoran to stick together and seize the chance to revive their season against league leaders Coleraine on Tuesday night.
The Glens have taken just seven points from their opening six Irish Premiership games after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bangor, but Sloggett insists there is no panic inside the dressing room.
The game marked Sloggett’s competitive debut for Declan Devine’s side, having moved from Dundalk over the summer.
The experienced midfielder admits Glentoran have yet to hit the standards they expect, but says the focus is firmly on finding solutions, as they take on the title favourites this season at the BetMcLean Oval.
“We will come through this together,” said the 30-year-old. “We need a performance and a result to give everyone the lift we are looking for.
“We are Glentoran and we should never have any hesitation about playing anyone. We know the results have not been what we hoped for at this stage of the season and that we have not yet reached the level of performance we know we are capable of.
“There have been a number of factors involved, but we are not looking for excuses. We are looking for solutions.
“As players and coaches, we are working hard to turn things around. We fully understand the frustration of the supporters because we feel it too.”
Coleraine could hardly provide a tougher test. The Bannsiders have carried their strong form from last season into the new campaign and currently sit at the summit.
But Sloggett sees the fixture as an opportunity rather than a threat.
“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.”
The 30-year-old has endured a frustrating start to his Glentoran career after a knee injury delayed his debut following his move from Dundalk.
“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,” said the Co Meath native.
“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.
“The important thing now is that we stand together and work our way through this difficult period. I have been in football long enough to know that tough times do not last.
“Results will turn when you continue to work hard. What matters is how you respond to difficult moments and what you learn from them.”
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