Hi °C | Lo °C Stephen Baxter has pleaded with Ballymena United fans to show patience as Roy Walker battles to stop the Ballymena United ship from sinking.
The Sky Blues have yet to record a league win in six outings this season but the Crusaders boss believes that if one man can transform the club’s fortunes, that man is Walker.
The United supremo guided Crusaders to Gibson Cup glory in 1995 and 1997 when Baxter, wearing red and black, tortured defences.
The Crues may not be the most fashionable or richest lot in domestic football but Walker worked his managerial magic on the team and his legendary status at the north Belfast club has long since been assured.
Walker will receive a warm welcome at Seaview from the home support tomorrow but he will be more interested in securing three points for his struggling side.
Baxter will wish him all the best in the Braid — after 4.45pm when the Crues hope to be celebrating a victory.
“I know Roy very well and he has been a personal friend of mine for many years,” said Baxter.
“I have nothing but the highest regard for him, Roy is an awesome manager and person — the best manager I have played under by some distance.
“There is nothing bad I could say about Roy and of course a manager is given tools he has to work with but it is grossly unfair to draw conclusions and make judgements after six league games. It took us at Crusaders two years to turn this ship around and miracles cannot be done in five weeks or even five months.
“People who complain after six games are not looking hard enough at the task and what is involved.”
