They say there is no substitute for experience in football and that’s why Crusaders go into today’s Irn-Bru Cup decider as slight favourites.

Although it is no guarantee of success, manager Stephen Baxter has led his side into more cup finals than his counterpart Oran Kearney and more Crusaders players have competed in a showpiece final than their rivals.

The question always asked is will players freeze on the big stage?

As the Crues players have been down this road more times before, it is a question that is more pertinent in the Bannsiders dressing room.

The counter to that argument is that the Coleraine players will be thirsty to get their first taste of the big time.

Crusaders suffered heartbreak in the 2008 CIS Cup final when Glenn Ferguson sprung off the bench for the final 20 minutes to turn the game around.

But the Hatchetmen prefer to remember the 2009 Irish Cup final when they secured the north-Belfast bragging rights over Crusaders.

“We have learned from the experience,” said Baxter. “Winning and losing, you learn from it. We know the feeling of both experiences and that can lift you while taking away the nerves of the occasion.

“In front of a big crowd and live television, there has to be the motivation to do well.

“The venue is a great choice and the IFA are to be commended for that. It’s a highly charged atmosphere but it’s every player’s dream to play in a cup final.”

Baxter will have his mind on the ‘B’ word tomorrow afternoon — and it’s not Bannsiders.

“I’m always looking for belief,” he added. “You have to believe you can do it and not feel any nervousness. You can’t let the big match atmosphere suck you in.

“You’ve got to avoid all that. I can remember the 2009 Irish Cup final and just saying to the players that although it’s a cup final and against Cliftonville we’re just going to play it like it’s 11 v 11 on the beach.

“You have really got to freeze it out of your head and remember that it’s the ball that is important and we’re here to play football. You’ve just got to focus on doing your job and doing it well.”

Coleraine are on a phenomenal run, going into the decider unbeaten in 13 matches — 10 wins and three draws.

“Coleraine have been on a very strong run,” added Baxter. “A new manager can often lift the whole place and Oran has certainly done that.

“The trick is to keep it going and he has done that. He has a mixture of young and experienced players, with creative players and goalscorers in there.

“We have played them twice this season so we know how tough they are to beat.”

The Crues will be without the suspended Ciaran Gargin who serves an automatic one-match ban.

Stuart Dallas (pictured) picked up an injury in last Friday’s 2-2 draw with Ballymena United but he should be fit to be unleashed on Kearney’s men.

“Stuart didn’t pick up a bad injury but we didn’t want to risk it,” added Baxter. “We thought it was the right thing to do to get him off. This league is so evenly contested across the 12 teams and the cup final should be another tight affair.”