Versatile Philip Lowry believes Crusaders have re-established the X-Factor that could see them muscle in with the ‘big guns’ in this season’s Danske Bank Premiership title race.
Although the Shore Road boys tasted trophy success last season on the form of the Irish Cup, they have flattered to deceive in recent years in terms of a title challenge – the last time they had their hands on the Gibson Cup was 2018.
If their early season form is to be used as a yardstick, former Derry City and Linfield man Lowry may not be too far off the mark.
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The Crues not only beat off the challenge of Bruno Magpies (Gibraltar) in the Europa Conference League, but they gave crack Swiss side Basel the fright of their lives with a stunning performance at Seaview, the visitors fortunate to leave with a 1-1 draw.
That set Stephen Baxter’s team up nicely for last week’s League home opener against Dungannon Swifts – and they didn’t disappoint, racking up a thumping 5-1 win.
Crusaders will face a more demanding challenge tonight when they travel across town to face Glentoran at the Oval, but Lowry is full of optimism.
“It’s been a strange couple of years for the club since the last League title win - we’ve huffed and puffed every season, I think we’ve played in patches,” said Lowry.
“Perhaps, the best way to describe our performances is we’ve been consistently inconsistent. But the penny dropped for a lot of players around the turn of the year last season.
“The experience we have in the group is incredible, you just need to look at our bench every week. We have players who would walk into any side in the League. I now think we have got our mojo back.
“It’s important to get off to a good start in the League campaign. That has maybe been our downfall over the past three or four seasons, we’ve made a stuttering start. By the time you get to the turn at Christmas, we are maybe 10 or 12 points behind, which means you are playing catch-up.”
Lowry believes his team’s title credentials will be judged on going to places like the Oval – Glentoran and Larne battled out a scoreless draw at Inver last week.
“With the considerable amount of investment that has gone into the club, Glentoran will be looking to improve this season,” added Lowry, “They also have a fantastic squad of players, so we know it will be a difficult 90 minutes.
“It’s paramount we are on the coat tails of the leaders around the Festive period, that will be our main objective.
“But this League is getting stronger year on year. Linfield are the title holders, and you have to look at their signings they have made – they are the team to beat against this year. Their performances in Europe have made a big statement.
“Every team in the League has strengthened in this campaign, it’s a matter of taking one game at a time to see where it takes us.”
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