Mick McDermott believes his new-look Glentoran side needs to learn the art of winning ugly in the Irish Premiership.
The Glens have been praised for their attractive brand of football this season, and have shown fighting spirit with late wins over Ballymena United and Warrenpoint Town.
But McDermott believes last Saturday's 5-2 defeat to Crusaders was a steep learning curve for his players.
Goals from Jordan Owens (2), Paul Heatley, Billy Joe Burns and Ross Clarke saw the Crues ease to three impressive points at Seaview.
McDermott highlighted Crusaders' ability to switch between a fluid passing style and route one football during the game, a versatility he believes has stood them in good stead over recent years.
"We have played some good teams already, and they all play differently," he said.
"The likes of Linfield get it wide and get it in the box. It is consistent and it is for 90 minutes.
"Then you come to Seaview and it is welly it down the middle at times, but when you have big Jordan Owens up there it is effective. And Crusaders do what is effective for them.
"For us, some of the lads who are new to the league, or some of the younger lads, this is what this league is like at times. It isn't run at people, pass and movement.
"If you have to play ugly when you have to, and play football when you can, then Crusaders have done that well over recent years.
"And they did it well against us on Saturday."
McDermott added: "Crusaders were on their game on Saturday. Bigger, stronger, more on the front foot. They played ugly when they had to, really ugly when they had to. And they played football when they could."
Glentoran will look to bounce back when they host Cliftonville at The Oval on Friday night.
Two points separate the Reds - who sit third - and McDermott's Glens who are in sixth.
"Last Saturday is one loss. It is three points we have dropped. One win and we can go back up the table again," he said.
"Last week was a poor performance, and a bad defeat, and we have to pick ourselves up for Friday night. We try to improve everything from training to our match day performance.
"It is a time for character to be shown. We will have a big crowd on Friday night and the fans will definitely be expecting a performance.
"It will be a good chance to get a result for us. Cliftonville lost last Saturday so they are in the same boat. They will come looking for it and Paddy (McLaughlin) will have them fired up.
"It makes for a cracking game."
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