Tim McCann on the 'panic button' problem plaguing Glentoran this season

Photo shows Andy Ryan after scoring against Glentoran
-Credit: (Image: INPHO/Jonathan Porter)


Tim McCann insists there are no panic buttons being pressed at Glentoran. Well, not off the pitch, anyway.

The East Belfast club slumped to its third defeat in four games on Friday night, losing 2-0 to champions Larne at Inver Park.

In each of those three losses, the Glens have failed to score a goal.

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Errors have punctuated performances this term, and cost Declan Devine's team crucial points in what is turning into an unpredictable season of results.

Frankie Hvid's foul on Andy Ryan led to Larne's opening goal from the penalty spot on Friday night, and Matty Lusty added the second shortly after the break to rubber stamp the champions' victory.

First-team coach McCann believes "bad decisions on bad occasions" are costing his side, but believes they have shown enough in games to suggest an upturn in fortunes.

"It is very frustrating. We have a game plan and we know how strong Larne are at Inver Park," McCann told the BBC.

"The game plan was working and we had a few chances to potentially go ahead, which we have had in the games before where we lost by narrow defeats.

"And I think it's when we are on top in games we are not taking our chances, and unfortunately we seem to press the panic button and make bad decisions on bad occasions.

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"Certainly last night approaching half-time, the penalty changed the whole emphasis of the game. We can't be too hard on Frankie, he is a 19-year-old kid coming in and he is trying to get ip to speed with Irish League football.

"There was nothing aimed at Frankie at half-time, we just asked the players to rally around him. Then to concede again so soon after the break gave us an upward task, and you end up going into a 4-2-4 as you chase the game and that's when it opens up."

Glentoran sit sixth in the Premiership, four points behind leaders Linfield and played a game more.

It has been a stop-start campaign dominated by some disappointing results, not least those defeats to Crusaders, Dungannon Swifts, Ballymena United and Larne.

"Everyone knew the job that needed to be done. So that was 10 or 11 players going out the door and new boys coming in, and players getting new responsibilities. You talk about kids coming through the academy. James Douglas has played the majority of games this season and has been fantastic," McCann added.

"We have to give the kids time to bed in. And the boys who have come across the water to live here, people like Frankie Hvid and Danny Amos.

"It will take time. I know Glentoran fans want success right now and we all do, but we had to press the reset button. It's not perfect at the minute, but we're not panicking and we have games coming up.

"I feel the longer the season goes the better we'll get."

He added: "It's frustrating. Everything is being done right behind the scenes, it is just unfortunate when the players step over that white line, you can't legislate for some of the errors. You just can't.

"Everyone is fighting the same fight. We are all for one, one for all. The work rate and everything isn't in question, it is just that lapse in concentration and we seem to get punished every time.

"Maybe if we can get an early goal we'll be okay, but we're constantly chasing the game."

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